COUNSELLING CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE Level 5 Diploma Blended

Level 5
Higher Education
Newry Campus
Counselling & Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body

Overview

This one year post qualifying programme, is designed to give qualified counsellors the specialist knowledge, skills, and competences to work as counsellors with children and young people aged 11-18.

It is a comprehensive programme designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience required to work effectively as a counsellor with children and young people. This diploma course focuses specifically on the unique considerations and approaches involved in providing counselling services to this population.

Throughout the course, students will gain a deep understanding of child and adolescent development, psychology, and mental health. They will explore various theoretical frameworks and models of counselling, with a specific emphasis on approaches that are tailored to the needs of children and young people. Students will learn about the impact of trauma, abuse, grief, and other challenging life circumstances on children and young people's emotional well-being.

This qualification will enable successful applicants to work as counsellors with this age group in a range of job and career opportunities, which include:

A counsellor employed by a school or college
A counsellor in an agency or organisation which specialises in counselling children and young people
A private counsellor working for an external organisation
A counsellor within a youth club or wellness and mental health setting
An ‘adult’ counsellor in independent practice wishing to extend their work to cover this age range
A youth worker in the community
An outreach worker with adolescents/teenagers

This course runs for one year from January to January.

The over-riding consideration in admitting applicants to the course, is evidence that the learner or apprentice is likely to be able to complete the course satisfactorily.

Attendance at Individual or Group Pre-Entry Advice Sessions (IPEAS and GPEAS) may be required. These interviews may take place either on campus, via telephone or video call (Microsoft Teams) and will play an important role in the selection of all courses.

Applicants must be at least 19 years of age on or before 1st July in the year of proposed entry to the course.

Applicants must have obtained the Ulster University Foundation Degree in Integrative Counselling Practice, the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling or an equivalent course which confers fitness to practice
Applicants must have attained at least 15 points at Level 2 or above (e.g. GCSE) or have alternative approved qualifications. In addition, applicants must provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English Language and have successfully achieved a GCSE English (Grade A-C) or Essential Skills Level 2 English.

This qualification will involve experiential elements that may require students to reflect on their personal and emotional experiences. There will also be personal developmental activities in which students will be referring to their life experience. Students should be in a strong emotional state before embarking on this counselling course, it is not suitable for those who are currently in a state of severe emotional difficulty and/or severe psychological confusion.

The College’s Admissions Policy reflects the expectations of the UK Quality Code May 2023. Please note that applicants progressing to higher education courses at Level 4 and above in the College or UK Universities may require a specific GCSE/A-Level profile. In some cases, the Essential Skills in Literacy and Numeracy may not be a suitable alternative to a GCSE. The list of acceptable qualifications for equivalency to English and mathematics for Ulster University is available from the following link: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/apply/entrance-requirements#eng. It is the responsibility of the applicant to check each University’s progression requirements before enrolling on a course at the College.

The entrance criteria above may change subject to awarding body regulations. The College reserves the right to enhance the entrance requirements where demand exceeds the number of available places. In addition, where places remain available the College reserves the right to offer places to candidates with a profile less than that listed above.

Applicants who do not meet the criteria outlined above but have evidence of substantial knowledge or relevant industrial experience and skills, which has not been formally assessed, should refer to the College’s Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL) Procedure.

For further detail on our entry requirements please review our Admissions Policy & Criteria.

Students will study for half a day each week for one academic year to achieve a total of 44 credits at level 5. The course follows a blended model with a minimum of 75% of all taught classes being face-to-face.

Course content includes:

Working safely, legally, and ethically with children and young people
Facilitate a therapeutic relationship with children and young people
Understand and work with diversity in relation to children and young people
Work collaboratively, creatively, and flexibly to engage children and young people in counselling work
Work with self-awareness as a children and young person's counsellor
Use theory, research, and skills to work effectively with children and young people
Monitor and maintain professional practice and effectiveness as a children and young person's counsellor
In addition, students are required to complete the following

Personal counselling: a minimum of 20 hours of personal counselling undertaken during the life of the course.

Client work: a minimum of 60 hours formally contracted counselling (one-to-one), with children and young people. The hours are to include client assessment and practice work with at least 4 different clients between the ages of 11-18.

Clinical Supervision: either group or one-to-one supervision – as per the supervision ratio requirements of the candidate’s chosen ethical framework or professional membership association.

The course will require the completion of a portfolio that evidences all assessment criteria as well as an externally assessed care review.

Students work will be assessed as - Pass (Proficient) /Fail (Not Proficient).

Students must be proficient in both internal and external assessment and meet all the qualification requirements including all placement, supervision, and personal therapy hours to achieve the qualification.

Internal assessment includes tutor assessment of candidate’s portfolio which evidences minimum assessment requirements and is verified by CPCAB. This will include student reviews, learning journals, observations and 2 essays.

External assessment takes the form of an externally assessed case review (3,000-3,500 words).

In addition to course and registration fees, all counselling courses incur an additional cost in relation to practice and personal therapy requirements. The following are examples of the associated costs for this course.

Personal therapy (approximately £40 per hour) for a minimum of 20 hours
Clinical supervision (typically £35 - £40 per hour - student rates may be available)
Student membership of a professional body such as BACP or NCS (approximately £8 per year)
Professional Indemnity Insurance £60-80 (approx.)

Where the exam/awarding body fee is listed as TBC in the full fee breakdown, the information has not yet been released by our partner awarding bodies for 24/25. This fee will be updated as soon as it becomes available.

Successful completion of this qualification will equip counsellors with the specific skills set to work with this special population. Students may also progress to other CPCAB qualifications up to level 6.

Upon successful completion of the Counselling Children & Young People Level 5 Diploma, graduates will be equipped to pursue careers as professional counsellors specialising in working with children and young people. They may find employment in various settings which include: