Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People

The programme is designed around three key areas:

• Theoretical understanding: key theoretical concepts, their relevance and integration for therapeutic change
• Professional and clinical competence: the therapeutic conditions, therapeutic processes and ethical practice
• Personal development: the development of self-awareness and self-reflection as a counselling practitioner

All applicants must have completed a foundation training in either Counselling or Counselling Skills (e.g. COSCA) as a minimum entry requirement. We may also consider applications from candidates who have completed similar courses and/or who have substantial relevant experience and are able to make a case for themselves on the basis of ‘equivalent experience’. Equivalent experience would mean that the applicant has experience of working (paid or as a volunteer) in a role which necessarily involves using counselling skills and creating a supportive relationship with children and young people.

The programme has a blend of formative and summative assessment processes which are structured to provide ongoing support and encouragement, with feedback from members of staff and other students. Formal feedback is provided specifically in relation to each of the three core areas of the course:

• Theoretical understanding: is monitored and assessed through written assignments and presentations
• Clinical competence: is monitored and assessed through live practice sessions, recorded sessions, group supervision and the presentation of case studies
• Self-reflectiveness and the ability to understand process; is monitored through participation in Course Community Meetings, Process Reflection Groups, Process Orientated/Experiential Workshops and Encounter Groups

Students are required to undertake written work during the course. Each module has a formal assessment process; Modules 1, 2, 3 and 4, include a 5000-word written assignment, Modules 5 and 6 have a blended assessment process which includes oral presentation and analysis of client work, and the students process, supported by written assignments which are tutor, peer and self-assessed. The assignments are designed to provide students with the opportunity to reflect on their theoretical understanding and to integrate this with clinical work and self-development. The assignments are structured in such a way as to give the students the maximum opportunity to demonstrate their learning. To meet the academic requirements of the programme, a minimum of 100 hours per module will be required for independent reading and writing of assignments. Additionally, for the assessment of student’s clinical work, students are required to audio record a minimum of one counselling session with a client, (with, of course, the client’s informed consent).

Candidates are invited to submit a completed application form supported by two professional references. The application form is accompanied by a set of questions for referees. Referees should send the completed reference directly to the course administration office. The selection procedure involves the assessment of the candidate’s written application, and two individual interviews with members of the training team. During the individual interviews the training team assesses each candidate against a set of criteria.  All candidates are assessed using the same criteria. The training team are looking for evidence of an understanding and appreciation of counselling, an understanding of human nature and interpersonal relationships, psychological maturity, a sense of commitment, motivation and responsibility and the ability to cope with the different challenges of the programme.

All applications receive a written acknowledgement which informs them if they are being offered an interview and the interview date. The interview process involves two separate meetings with two different members of the training team. Following the interview, successful applicants will be offered a place on the course. Once a place has been accepted and a deposit has been paid, the applicants place on the course is secure. All applicants are required to complete either an Enhanced DBS check (England, Northern Ireland and Wales) or an application to join the PVG scheme with Disclosure Scotland.

The overall cost of the 2021-2022 programme is £7000.00. An initial deposit of £500 is required to secure a place on the programme. Fees are required to be paid in advance at the beginning of the academic year. Payment Plans are available on request. Please note: The course is not SAAS funded.

To download the 2021-2022 Course Information leaflet click here.  We are planning on launching the 2023-2024 programme in Spring 2023.  More details will be available in due course.