Cap. 538 Art. 5Powers and functions of the Council.

(1) Without prejudice to its other powers and functions, the powers and functions of the Council are to regulate the practice and eligibility to practise the counselling profession in Malta, and in particular to:

(a) establish counselling standards, assess existing counselling standards and develop new continuing professional development in counselling and other standards whenever this is necessary. The Council may recommend to the Minister initial and continuing education in counselling, proficiency, experience and other qualifications required to hold a warrant under this Act;

(b) consider, process and decide on applications for warrants issued under this Act and applications for equivalence and recognition of qualifications in counselling;

(c) examine applications for a warrant to practise the counselling profession in Malta and also decide on the award or refusal thereof;

(d) keep and amend accordingly the following official registers of counsellors:

(i) Register for Counsellors with a restricted warrant, with reference to any specialisation, if the case arises;

(ii) Register for Counsellors with a temporary warrant, with reference to any specialisation, if the case arises;

(iii) Register for Counsellors with a full warrant with reference to counselling with specialisation, if the case arises;

(iv) Register for Counselling Supervisors according to the criteria established by the Council and the Code of Ethics;

(v) Register for Associations of Counsellors; and

(vi) Register for Societies of Counsellors;

(vii) Register for Counselling Trainees;

(e) keep such records and such information as may be required in relation to any association of counsellors registered by the Council;

(f) make recommendations to the Minister on the Code of Ethics which shall be established for the professional conduct of counsellors;

(g) advise or make recommendations or otherwise express its views to the Minister on any matter on which the Minister is to consult the Council or on which the Council is to make recommendations to the Minister or on which the opinion or recommendation of the Council is sought by the Minister;

(h) make recommendations to the Minister to prescribe regulations in relation to the employment of persons who have a recognized degree but who do not qualify for a warrant under this Act, and who are working under the supervision of a registered counsellor in such establishments or agencies as may be prescribed;

(i) investigate allegations of professional misconduct, gross negligence or incompetence by a counsellor; and

(j) perform such other functions that may arise under this Act or under any other law, or as may be assigned to it by the Minister.

(2) The Council shall, not later than three months after the end of each year, publish in the Gazette a list of persons who, until the 31st December of the previous year, were registered in the official Register of Counsellors.

(3) The Council shall draw up and publish an annual report concerning its activities.