Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills

This course is studied over a period of one year ending December 2015 and will enable you to improve communication skills and use of interpersonal skills. Learners will be given opportunities to develop a range of counselling skills as well as skills in self-awareness and self-assessment. You will gain an ABC Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills. This Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) course has been collaboratively developed with awarding organisation partners and has 150 guided learning hours with 18 credits. The main theoretical approaches to counselling will be explored with the principal model being Person Centred Therapy. Egans three stage model of helping will be introduced to provide a structured approach to learning to help and to actively enhance both the Person Centred teaching on the course and the concept of an Integrative Model. The Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills qualification aims to: - Develop a repertoire of interpersonal and counselling skills - Introduce learners to experiential learning processes that will include a high element of personal growth work, developing further self-confidence and self-esteem - Underpin counselling skills with an understanding of key elements of the main theoretical approaches to counselling - Increase the self-awareness of the person and their awareness of the impact that they have on people - Develop an understanding of what counselling training entails and assist learners to make a more informed choice as to whether or not they are suited to undertake vocational counselling training as opposed to other types of training - Prepare learners to progress onto appropriate qualifications You will be expected to monitor and record your own learning and practice, develop criteria for self-assessment, and show evidence of applying your knowledge and skills. Satisfactory completion of this course will be rewarded with a nationally recognised qualification. The amount of study/practise between sessions depends on each student but as a guide this will be a minimum of 4 hours a week. All work is internally assessed with internal and external (ABC Awards) moderation. Assessment is continuous and includes tutor, peer and self-assessment. NB As this course is due to be reviewed by ABC, we reserve the right to make changes in accordance with qualification guidelines in order to provide the most up to date learning experience and qualification award.The course philosophy is based on helping each student to build on their existing knowledge and a key part of this is recognising and valuing difference and diversity within the student and teaching body. The aim is to build a learning environment where students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning within a climate that is both supportive and challenging. Self-assessment and collaborative working are key features of this. This will include input from tutors and peers, group discussions, practise sessions in small groups, videos, tutorials and includes four units: - UNITS Understanding the context for the use of counselling skills (T/601/7567)3325 Understanding counselling theory (R/601/7575)3430 Using counselling skills (K/601/7579)3760 Personal development for users of counselling skills (K/601/7582)3430 This is a portfolio-based course and learners will be expected to submit evidence of learning for each of the units. In addition you will be expected to keep a personal learning journal throughout the course. Full attendance is expected and 80% is the minimum to receive the award. There is a requirement to attend workshops on six Saturday and or Saturday/Sundays. The first one will be held on Saturday 24 January or Saturday 31 January depending on which group you are in. The other dates will be given to you at the start of the course.