Overview
This one year course is designed for candidates who want to train to become independent autonomous practitioners working with children and adolescents (11-17 years).
Successful completion of this course means you will be able to work as an independent, professional counselling practitioner.
Designed for candidates who want to train to become independent autonomous practitioners and gain the necessary skills and qualification to pursue their counselling ambition.
You will deepen your understanding of the profession, including; the counselling relationship, client assessments and integrated theoretical approaches. You will gain the expertise and qualification to work in independent practice, or take a senior counselling role within an agency.
The course is suitable for students progressing from Level 4. It will add to your existing knowledge and prepare you for employment.
The student will be awarded the Level 5 Diploma in Counselling (CYP-L5)
Entry Requirements
Minimum age: 22 years
Minimum Hours: 100 qualifying hours and a minimum of 50 hours post qualified.
Personal Therapy: Minimum of 30 hours personal therapy undertaken during L4 training. If this has not been completed then it will be expected as part of this course.
You must hold a CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (TC-L4) or the Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) equivalent (minimum 420 Guided Learning Hours), in addition to appropriate pre-TC-L4 (or equivalent) training.
-
Ability to identify reasons for training beyond just personal development
-
Provide references
-
Academically and emotionally able to cope with this level of training
-
Ability to work with difference and diversity
-
Possess personal qualities of imagination, intuition, openness and ability to benefit from self-development.
-
Ability to form a therapeutic relationship with young people
-
Have self-awareness, insight, honesty and integrity and the ability to make links to theory
-
Emotional stability and the absence of personality disturbance
-
Ability to challenge and be challenged
-
Ability to respond sensitively and empathically to others
-
Professional qualities required for autonomous practice
This qualification is not suitable for those who are currently in a state of severe emotional difficulty or severe psychological confusion as the course involves some personal disclosure and associated personal development activities.
This qualification has been designed to take account of the latest research findings on what makes counselling effective and is underpinned by the CPCAB model of practitioner development.
Possible additional costs to be met by student
Personal therapy min 10 hours with an accredited Counsellor / Psychotherapist.
Supervision costs (1 ½ hrs per month or in line with BACP or NCS guidelines).
Membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) / NCS or recognised Ethical body.
Professional indemnity insurance.
Course Options
2025 Dates
Tuesday evening (4.30pm - 9.30pm)
Starting 2/9/25
This runs for 24 sessions across an academic year. Initially 2/3 times a month before settling into fortnightly. Dates to be confirmed.
Saturday daytime (9.30am - 5pm)
Starting 6/9/25
This runs for 17 sessions across an academic year. Initially run fortnightly until settling into a monthly session. Dates to be confirmed.
PC-L5 is regulated by the Office of the Qualifications & Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) and is on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)
Qualification/learning aim number: 500/8386/7.
Guided Learning Hours: 120 hours
Total Qualification Time: 435 hours
Credit value: 44
Attendance - 80% attendance is mandatory and is a non-negotiable part of this course.
Our approach
The course is based on an Integrative approach using theory and creative practice.
The emphasis is on exploring the integration of theory, research, practice, and self-awareness in order to work effectively with young people.The integrative counselling aspect explores, challenges and compares contemporary theories to life and child development. It also addresses the thinking, feeling, and behavioural aspects of human functioning.
The integrative perspective draws from a range of theoretical orientations including: Child Developmental theories, Person Centred, Cognitive Behavioural therapy, art and play therapies.
The course is designed to help develop and train counsellors to become competent and ethically-sound practitioners.
The ultimate aims are to equip counsellors with the tools and interventions they require to develop their own styles, enabling them to work with young clients experiencing a range of common life problems to more complex issues.
Assessment
Assessment will be entirely internal.
Internal Student Progress Assessment: During the course, regular tutorials and progress meetings will be undertaken, with prep required from both the student and the tutor. This will form the basis of your personal plan to competency.
Complete 60 hours minimum of one-to-one, formally contracted counselling as practitioner; exercising autonomy in your role as counsellor and carry the responsibility for assessment. This is to be done with a child between 11-17 years old.
You will also be required to complete a minimum of 10 hours of personal counselling therapy (total of 40 hours from level 4 to end of level 5 – if 30 hours have not been undertaken before this then additional therapy throughout the course will be required).
Supervision requirements - Supervision – in the form of either group or one-to-one supervision – to meet BACP minimum requirements (min 10 hours).
Internal assessment: You will be expected to build a portfolio. The three assessment methods used throughout the training are Review of Documents, Tutor Observation and Testimony in order to meet the course criterion. You will also be expected to include a review of a 15-minute transcript of clinical work.
Research and additional ‘homework’ is expected to help you achieve the necessary learning level and criterion.
This qualification is made up of a mandatory unit which has seven learning outcomes and associated assessment criteria. This structure is based on the seven processes of the CPCAB model.
To achieve the qualification you must be (a) assessed by your tutor as Proficient in all seven learning outcomes of the mandatory unit; and (b) pass your student progress competency checks.
1. Work safely, legally and ethically as an independent counsellor with young people
2. Work with complex aspects of the counselling relationship with young people
3. Use theory and research to work with client diversity in independent practice
4. Use a coherent approach to respond to the needs of individual clients
5. Work with self-awareness as an independent practitioner
6. Use theory, research and skills within a coherent framework for independent counselling practice with young people
7. Monitor and maintain professional effectiveness as a counsellor
Course activities include:
-
Workshops
-
Seminars
-
Personal development workshops
-
Training group work
-
Projects and Presentations
-
Review of skills and understanding
-
Review of learning
-
Self-reviews
-
Research
-
Placement – 60Hrs
-
Clinical and internal group supervision
All classes are predominantly taught face to face at our centre in Hockley Heath (Near Solihull / Shirley) with up 25% of the course being taught remotely so as to experience working in different mediums.
