Level 5 Diploma Children and Young People Counselling

This post qualifying CPCAB counselling qualification is designed to give students the specialist knowledge, skills, and competences to work as counsellors with children and young people aged 11-18.

The course is pending CPCAB approval.

This CPCAB qualification leads to becoming a qualified counsellor for children and young people and fulfils the requirements of a range of professional association registers. It also maps to a range of competency frameworks and occupational standards.

As a student continuing your journey with the CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People, you are progressing into post-practitioner training which enables you to develop further skills and knowledge when working with children and young people - between the ages of 11 and 18.

This added knowledge will expand employment opportunities, enabling you to work across a range of services which offer counselling to children and young people. Examples include schools, colleges, specialist agencies, and also in independent practice.

You will learn how to work safely, legally, and ethically with children and young people (CYP), building effective therapeutic relationships with those from diverse backgrounds. You will engage CYP creatively and collaboratively in counselling work, practising with self‑awareness while using theory and research to support them, and monitoring your professional practice to remain effective as a CYP counsellor.

Placement Requirements - Client Hours

You will need to complete a minimum of 60 hours of formally contracted one to one counselling with CYP between the ages of 11 and 18, drawn from one or more of the following settings:

• a counsellor employed by a school or college,
• a private counsellor working for an external organisation (e.g. school, youth club),
• or a counsellor in independent practice.

The setting must provide the opportunity to work at the appropriate depth for level 5, including being able to make initial assessments of client needs and risks.

You will need to work with at least 4 different clients. Any hours accumulated before the start of the course will not be counted towards the 60 required. Up to 49% of client placement hours can be online or over the telephone, and the remaining 51% of client placement hours should be conducted in-person.

Placement Requirements - Supervision

You should aim to meet the supervision ratio requirements of your chosen professional membership association/ethical framework either by group or one-to-one supervision. It is strongly advised that the supervisor chosen is one who has training and/or experience of working with this age group.

It will be your responsibility to keep a current log of client hours and signed supervision hours which can be viewed by the tutor.

This level 5 CPCAB qualification will enable successful students to work as counsellors with CYP in a range of job and career opportunities, which include but are not limited to:

• A counsellor employed by a school or college
• A counsellor in an agency or organisation which specialise in counselling CYP
• A private counsellor working for an external organisation such as a school, youth club, wellness or 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.

The skills and knowledge acquired on this counselling course are transferable to a wide range of career and educational opportunities.

We have a team of staff dedicated to providing learning support if it is required and a Wellbeing Team that is on hand to offer guidance, support and help when needed.

Additionally, eligible students can access a wide range of finance and funding support to help them during their time at college. For further information on student support please visit: www.wvr.ac.uk/college-life/student-support 

Tutors on our adult counselling courses are highly experienced and skilled in their specialist professional sectors. They enhance the courses they teach with their excellent industry links.

The entry requirements for this level 5 counselling qualification are as follows:

TCL4 or an equivalent level 4+ qualification of at least 300 guided learning hours, that have been aligned with SCoPEd Column A competences.
Plus appropriate pre-TC-L4 training.

In addition, you must not be in a current state of severe emotional difficulty or severe psychological confusion, and you must not be currently involved in substance misuse (there is a requirement to be two years’ post rehabilitation).

You need to be able to handle the level of academic work required and show a willingness to take responsibility for yourself. You must be able to respect others regardless of race, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

You will also be required to complete a pre-entry assessment and have an interview to assess your eligibility.

For further information about funding, please contact our Learner Services Team on 01925 494400 or learner.services@wvr.ac.uk.

You will need to obtain an enhanced DBS check, and you are responsible for covering the cost (approximately £50).

You must complete a 60‑hour placement.

Personal therapy is required; the cost will vary depending on your chosen therapist.

Supervision is also required; the cost will vary depending on your chosen therapist.