Level 5 CPCAB Diploma in Working with Children and Young People (Level 4 Equivalent)

Tutition fee £811.00 subject to approval 

Exam Fee £145.00

This post-qualifying qualification is designed to give learners the specialist knowledge, skills and competences to work as counsellors with children and young people aged 11-18. This qualification will enable successful candidates to work as counsellors with this age group in a range of job and career opportunities including:

• 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 such as a school, youth club, wellness/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

• CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (TC-L4) or the Recognised Prior Learning equivalent (minimum 420 Guided Learning Hours), in addition to
  appropriate pre-TC-L4 (or equivalent) training.
• A minimum of 20 hours of personal counselling undertaken during the life of the course.
• A minimum of 60 hours of 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.
• Either group or one-to-one supervision, as per the supervision ratio requirements of the candidate’s chosen ethical framework or professional membership association.

Work safely, legally and ethically with children and young people (CYP)

When counselling children and young people (CYP), it's crucial to work within recognised legal, professional, and ethical frameworks. This includes diligently managing issues of confidentiality and data protection to safeguard their privacy. Counsellors must also conduct initial, emerging, and ongoing risk assessments, promptly responding to any safeguarding and child protection concerns that arise. It's essential to work within one's limits of competence, utilising referral and signposting processes appropriately when a case falls outside of their expertise. Finally, engaging effectively in inter-agency work, including with schools, is vital for a holistic and supportive approach to the well-being of CYP.

Facilitate a therapeutic relationship with CYP

In the practice of counselling children and young people (CYP), it is paramount to establish and maintain an age-appropriate therapeutic relationship. This involves diligently establishing and sustaining professional and personal boundaries, always with careful consideration of the client's age and developmental stage. The therapeutic relationship itself should be actively used to inform and enhance the counselling work, thereby enabling CYP to more effectively access and express their emotions. Counsellors must be prepared to work adeptly with any conflicts, challenges, and difficulties that may arise within the therapeutic relationship. Furthermore, a critical aspect of this work involves carefully evaluating the appropriateness of working in partnership with family members, carers, and the client themselves, ensuring a collaborative approach that best serves the CYP's needs.

Understand and work with diversity in relation to CYP

In counselling children and young people (CYP), practitioners must apply theory and research on diversity issues to their work, recognising the varied backgrounds and experiences that influence each client. It is crucial to identify and respond to the diverse factors that impact the mental health and well-being of CYP, such as family dynamics, social pressures, and individual circumstances. Effective counselling requires the consistent use of empathy to communicate understanding and acceptance, always tailored to the client's age and developmental stage. Furthermore, counsellors should strive to facilitate a time and setting that is appropriate to the age and stage of development of the CYP, ensuring a comfortable and conducive environment for therapy. Finally, a key responsibility involves actively reflecting on barriers that may prevent CYP from engaging with counselling and proactively promoting easier access to these vital services.

Work collaboratively, creatively and flexibly to engage CYP in counselling work

When counselling children and young people (CYP), it is essential to conduct an age-appropriate assessment tailored to each individual client, establishing a clear focus for the therapeutic work. A crucial step involves negotiating a contract for the work with the client's active involvement and consent, ensuring they feel heard and respected. Counsellors must also evaluate the different ways of offering counselling to CYP, considering various modalities such as face-to-face, online, telephone, and blended approaches, to determine the most suitable option.

Furthermore, it's important to offer a range of communication methods appropriate to the client's age and developmental stage, adapting to how they best express themselves. Throughout the process, counsellors should consistently reflect on, evaluate, and review the counselling work in collaboration with the client, especially as their needs change. Finally, a significant aspect of this practice is to work sensitively with CYP to negotiate and plan for endings and transitions, ensuring a supportive and thoughtful conclusion to their therapeutic journey.

Work with self-awareness as a CYP counsellor

Effective counselling with children and young people (CYP) necessitates deep self-reflection on one's own childhood experiences, understanding how these personal histories might either enhance or limit their therapeutic work. It's crucial to apply child development theories to oneself, demonstrating how this self-awareness informs and strengthens the therapeutic approach with CYP. Counsellors must also use their awareness of self to navigate the impact of power and authority dynamics within the counselling relationship, ensuring an equitable and respectful environment. Finally, practising self-care is paramount for promoting personal resilience in response to the emotional and psychological impact that working with CYP can have on the counsellor.

Use theory, research and skills to work effectively with CYP

In counselling children and young people (CYP), it is essential to evaluate the benefits and limitations of one's own core theoretical approach, adapting it flexibly to work effectively with CYP. This includes thoughtfully applying knowledge of child development and attachment theories to address the unique and specific needs of each young client. To enhance the therapeutic process, counsellors should actively work experientially with play and creativity, recognising their power in communicating with and understanding CYP. A key goal is to promote and encourage resilience in CYP, empowering them to navigate life's challenges. Furthermore, it is important to consider the role of psychopathology, pharmacology, and neuroscience when working with CYP, understanding how these factors might influence their mental health. Finally, the counselling work should always be informed by current research findings on counselling CYP, ensuring evidence-based and effective interventions.

Monitor and maintain professional practice and effectiveness as a CYP counsellor

For effective counselling with children and young people (CYP), it is vital to prepare for and actively engage with clinical supervision that is specifically appropriate for this field of work. Counsellors should also demonstrate an awareness of their "internal supervisor", embracing reflexivity to continually enhance their counselling practice with CYP. To critically evaluate their work, it's important to use a clinical audit tool that is suitable for counselling CYP. Finally, a key part of ongoing professional growth involves identifying both strengths and weaknesses when working with CYP, and using this insight to plan an effective Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme.

To achieve the qualification, candidates must be internally assessed as Proficient in all seven learning outcomes of the qualification.

Candidates must give two pieces of evidence for each criterion. In addition, the Candidate Learning Record, when complete, must include references to all three assessment methods (documents, tutor observation and testimony) across the whole CLR.

You can apply online by clicking the apply button above, where you will need to create an account as a new user. If after reading this factsheet, you are still undecided about the course most suitable for you, please drop into one of our advice events, ring the Admissions Team on 01743 653333 or email parttimecourses@scg.ac.uk