Level 6 advanced diploma in counselling children and young people
This course is designed for counsellors who are seeking to gain knowledge of, and competence in, working with children and young people (CYP) aged four to 18 years in order to practise with this age group in an ethical and effective way.
The course is aligned with the BACP Competency Framework and training curriculum which provides the minimum standard to which counselling practitioners of children and/or young people should be trained and comprises stages one and two which constitutes the formal award. Additional CPD incorporating stage three is available once the formal award has been achieved.
The course follows flexible Humanistic-Relational principles of therapy with an emphasis on experiential, creative and reflective practice.
Key study areas:
- ethical and professional practice
- child protection and safeguarding
- child and adolescent development and transitions
- communication with children and young people
- beginnings and endings with children and young people
- risk assessments
- mental health and children and young people
- working in the context of the counselling settings
- the theory and principles of the counselling approach
- therapeutic relationships with younger clients
- working with children and young people’s emotions
- using play in therapy with younger clients
- endings
- collaborative assessments
- using measures and monitoring outcomes
- working with cultural diversity
- mental health, pharmacology and children and young people
- engagement with children, young people, parents and carers
- working within and across settings including agency, school, voluntary, community sector
- holding the overall perspective
- supervision
The Level 6 Advanced Specialist Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People is for:
Post-qualified counsellors who wish to begin working with children and young people.
Entry requirements:
- Qualified counsellor to a minimum Level 4 Diploma (core training must have included a 100 hour clinical placement).
- BACP registered member or equivalent professional body.
- Enhanced DBS Check.
- Two character references stating suitability for working with children. Referees must have known the applicant in a professional or personal capacity for a minimum of two years. Ideally one of the referees will be your clinical supervisor. Referees must not be a spouse, partner or relative.
- Previous experience of working with children in any capacity is desirable but not essential.
- Counselling supervisor with established children and young people experience.
- Currently in practice as a counsellor/psychotherapist
- All candidates will be required to submit an assignment prior to interview.
Assessment for the course will include:
- written assignments
- case study
- skills practice assessment
- group presentation
- reflective journal
- self and peer evaluation
- log of clinical placement hours