What about confidential counsellor certification?

Situation now

An accreditation of training agencies for confidential counsellors recognised by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (Ministerie van SZW) does not exist.

If employers have appointed a confidential counsellor within the policy on discrimination, sexual harassment, aggression and violence and bullying mandated by the Occupational Health and Safety Act, they must be adequately trained. The Netherlands Labour Authority (NLA) checks this.

Confidential counsellors who can show the NLA the certificate* obtained at Hubert Consult are considered sufficiently trained.

Situation in the future

In May 2023, the bill amending the Working Conditions Act in connection with making it compulsory to have a confidential counsellor regarding unwanted manners was passed by the Lower House. The bill is currently before the Upper House and its approval is not yet a done deal.

Should the bill concerning the obligation to appoint a confidential counsellor be adopted by the Senate, further regulations will be drawn up together with the parties in the field, including in any case clear criteria for the expertise and independence of confidential counsellors, taking into account: the recognition of training courses for confidential counsellors, the maintenance of expertise on the basis of periodic refresher courses and the process of periodic and independent testing of expertise.
Hubert Consult is involved as a party in the Platform Professionalisation of the Confidential Counsellor of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment.

What about LVV and the register confidential counsellor?
Hubert Consult is not affiliated with the LVV certification/registration. Hubert Consult has made a conscious decision not to join, partly due to professional considerations and partly because Hubert Consult does not consider the LVV to be completely independent; after all, the chairperson and some of the board members act as trainers for training agencies that provide LVV-accredited training courses. For Hubert Consult, another factor is that registration with the LVV seems to primarily serve the interests of affiliated training agencies. Ultimately, it is not a private organisation such as the LVV but the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment that decides what requirements will be imposed on confidential counsellors.

Hubert Consult aims to join the legal accreditation of the Ministry of SZW in due course.

*When will you receive a certificate at Hubert Consult?

If you attend 100% during the three-day Basic Confidential Counsellor Course at Hubert Consult, you will receive a proof of participation. In addition, you can take an exam to show that you have sufficiently absorbed and mastered the material. If you pass the exam, you will receive a certificate (this is valid for one year). If you attend a Confidential Counsellor Return Day every year and continue to pass the exam, the certificate can be renewed. The requirements for renewal can be adjusted over time based on developments (think of requirements from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment).

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