Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People (11-18) – More information
Aim:
This course enables qualified counsellors to develop in-depth knowledge and understanding, and the advanced skills and competences that are required when working with Children and Young People (11-18).
Course entry requirements:
- Minimum of level 4 Diploma (Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and Level 7 (The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Scotland) counselling/psychotherapy qualification or equivalent. This must include 100 hours of supervised counselling/psychotherapy practice in line with recognised practitioner training.
- Have successfully completed the Introduction to Counselling Children and Young People.
- Member of a recognised professional body e.g. BACP, NCPS, UKCP.
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Two Character references stating suitability to work with children and young people. One should be someone who has known you in a professional capacity for more than two years and the other be your current supervisor.
What will it cover:
The content is based on the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Stage 2 Counselling Children and Young People curriculum (11-18).
- Ethical and Professional Practice
- Child protection and safeguarding
- Child and adolescent development and transitions
- The theory and principles of the counselling approach
- Therapeutic relationships with children and young people
- Communication with children and young people
- Working with children and young people’s emotions
- Endings
- Risk assessments
- Collaborative assessments
- Using measures and monitoring outcomes
- Working with cultural diversity
- Mental health, pharmacology and children and young people
- Engagement with children and young people, parents and carers
- Working within and across agencies
- Working in a school setting
- Working in a voluntary/community sector setting
- Holding the overall perspective
- Supervision
Training Structure:
- 10 days of in person training across 6 months.
- 50 hours of face-to-face supervised practice with 11–18-year-olds in an established service for children and young people where counselling is routinely offered to this age group, such as a school counselling service and/or a voluntary/community setting.
- Supervision to be provided by a supervisor who is a registered member of a professional counselling/psychotherapy body e.g. BACP, NCPS, UKCP. The supervisor must be trained and/or experienced in working with the 11-18 year olds.
- 2 x Assessments
Dates:
Friday 19th and Saturday 20th September 2025
Friday 17th and Saturday 18th October 2025
Friday 14th and Saturday 15th November 2025
Friday 9th and Saturday 10th January 2026
Friday 6th and Saturday 7th February 2026
Friday 6th and Saturday 7th March 2026 (contingency days)
Course Tutor:
Tracey Rees (UKCP, MBACP and NCPS)
Fees:
£1250 – Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People (11-18) only
£1500 – Introduction to Counselling Children and Young People (11-18) and Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People (11-18)
Counselling CYP Student Application 2025
FAQ’s:
Can I just apply for the Diploma?
As part of the entry requirements for the Diploma you are required to have completed the Introduction to Counselling Children and Young People. If you have completed this elsewhere, you will be asked to provide evidence of this.
What qualifications do I need to apply for the Diploma? Minimum of level 4 Diploma (Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and Level 7 (The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Scotland) counselling/psychotherapy qualification or equivalent. This must include 100 hours of supervised counselling/psychotherapy practice in line with recognised practitioner training.
There are also other criteria to be met:
- Have successfully completed the Introduction to Counselling Children and Young People.
- Member of a recognised professional body e.g. BACP, NCPS, UKCP.
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Two Character references stating suitability to work with children and young people. One should be someone who has known you in a professional capacity for more than two years and the other be your current supervisor.
Do I have to do a placement?
Yes, this is part of the criteria for the course.
Can I have my placement at Wellspring?
Wellspring will be offering a limited number of placements. You can apply for a placement with Wellspring on the application form. There will be an interview process to secure a placement.
Can I do my placement in my place of work?
The placement must be supervised and in a place with an established service for children and young people where counselling is routinely offered to this age group. If your place of work can offer this, then yes you can.
What if I don’t get a placement with Wellspring?
If you do not get a placement with Wellspring, you will have to find an alternative appropriate placement as this is a requirement of the course.
I have a learning need. Can I still access the training?
We will do everything we can to enable everyone to access the course. Please speak to us about your individual needs so we can discuss them and plan.
Where will the course be held?
The course will be in person and will be held at Wellspring House, 78 High Street, Starbeck, Harrogate, HG2 7LW.
Why do I need to provide references?
This is part of the application process and helps us to ensure that our students have the right temperament and skills to be working with Children and Young People.
Do I need to have some experience in counselling Children and Young People?
Some experience of working with or volunteering with Children and Young People would be an advantage, but we do not expect you to have had experience in counselling Children and Young People.
Will it affect my application if I apply for a bursary?
The bursary and application for a place on the course are separated to ensure no bias towards people who do or do not apply for the bursary.
For more information or to express your interest please contact Liz Kanabar on 01423 881 881 or email training@wellspringtherapy.co.uk
