Our reasons and values underpinning this policy
In setting this policy, we aim to promote ethical, transparent and equitable use of AI. While we acknowledge the benefits of AI, we must also be aware of the risks and challenges it can present to maintaining academic standards. We work hard to ensure that Counselling Tutor courses are held in high regard, so that you are appropriately rewarded for the time and money that you invest when choose us as your course provider.
The problem with AI
AI often seems attractive because it produces text very quickly, and this may appear to be well researched and written. However, AI doesn’t always generate text that is accurate or acknowledge its sources – nor does it show your own natural style of writing. This makes it possible for assessors to know when an assignment – or a part of it – has been written by AI.
Valid sources of material
Our courses are designed carefully to provide all the information you need to write the relevant assignments – as well as giving you tips for recommended further reading. Thus, if you are following the course diligently, you already have all the resources you need to reach the required standard.
Acceptable and unacceptable use of AI
We are well aware that AI can be very useful, and so fully accept that you may wish to use it to help in producing assignments by:
- brainstorming and developing your own ideas
- providing ideas for structure
- summarising longer texts for your own reading.
But we do not accept the use of AI:
- as a source of content information (i.e. we do not expect to see ‘ChatGPT’ or other AI tools listed as a reference)
- to write your assignment or to produce text to cut-and-paste into it
- to process any confidential information (e.g. client/supervisee case studies).
Our response to unacceptable use of AI
If our assessors have reason to believe that you have breached this policy, your assignment will automatically be referred.
Students with special needs
If you believe you have a legitimate reason for using AI in a way that is not in keeping with this policy, please contact your tutor to discuss this and any reasonable adjustments.