This course is ideal if you want to learn and practise a range of counselling skills for personal or professional use. Counselling skills are essential for various situations and scenarios relevant to various occupations where your interpersonal skills are of the utmost importance. If you work in a teaching or caring role or an organisation where customer and client service is essential, this course can give you the skills to help you perform highly. The skills you will learn can also be applied in personal, family and social situations. This is your first step towards becoming a professional counselling practitioner.

Suitable applicants to this course will have completed an introductory course in counselling with a solid experience in self-reflection and self-awareness and working with a peer group in live-taught lessons. Alternatively, applicants will have had robust training/experience in helping fields such as nursing, social work, or mental health services such as Samaritans, CGL, Cruse etc. An interview will be required where your suitability will be discussed, and either an offer of a place made or a recommendation for our Level 2 Introduction to Counselling course will be discussed.

Students working in the classroom together
  • What you will study
    • Using counselling 'Helping' skills ethically and safely
    • Establishing boundaries
    • Working empathically
    • Helpee needs
    • Counselling 'Helping' skills to facilitate helping interaction
    • Using feedback and reflection to enhance counselling skills
  • Entry Requirements

    4 GCSEs at grades 9-3 (A*-D) (English and maths desirable) or a Level 1 qualification.

  • Assessment

    Assessment will be through your portfolio completion of 7 units of criteria/presentation and assignments in addition to an externally assessed written exam paper.

  • Moving Forward

    This qualification does not lead directly to an employed role. However, it could enhance an existing voluntary or paid role or increase the general employability of those seeking to enter the job market.

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Student Support

Starting college can be a giant leap if you have just finished school or are returning to education after a few years. We will make this transition as easy as possible, providing all the support you need to settle in

Financial Support

We are committed to supporting students in order for them to overcome any financial barriers to learning.

Term Dates

Key term dates and opening times