SR22
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 6.0
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic
Manuals; Procedure; Human Factors; Company Policy
Aircraft Y requested departure from an airport and also requested a VFR climb. I gave Aircraft Y a clearance as filed and climb instructions to filed altitude of 28000 feet. I never issued a VFR climb as the pilot requested. There was enroute traffic; Aircraft X that was in conflict with Aircraft Y after the departure. I asked Aircraft Y if they could accept a VFR climb through 16000 feet. They replied 'yes'. I issued Aircraft Yan instruction to climb VFR below 16000 feet then climb and maintain 28000 feet. I then proceeded to call the traffic to both aircraft and 'suggested' to the Aircraft Y to level at 12000 feet until clear of the traffic. Both aircraft reported the other in sight. I replied 'roger' with no further instruction. Aircraft Y started his climb once clear of Aircraft X. By the 3 mile separation in that area; I believe the 2 aircraft got within 2.8 miles and 800 feet of each other.I was informed that this was an error due to the solicitation of a VFR climb. Per the 7110.65 there is no verbiage to state that ATC cannot solicit a VFR climb; just that the pilot must request it. If the error is due to controller soliciting a VFR climb even though the pilot requested it earlier; then the 7110.65 needs to be changed back to the verbiage of 'no solicitation.'
ZLC Controller reported he was informed he had a procedural error because he solicited a VFR climb from an IFR aircraft.