Counselling Children and Young People

at Riverside College

Award

FdSc

Study option

Location

Riverside College

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The Foundation Degree in Counselling Children and Young People is an innovative programme that provides education and training for working therapeutically with children and young people from early years to young adulthood using a variety of therapeutic approaches.

Counselling children requires practitioners to have an in-depth understanding of child and adolescent development theory, child psychiatry, safeguarding and child protection policies, legal and ethical issues as well as an excellent knowledge of theoretical models and theoretical interventions specific to this group. This qualification aims to develop skilled practitioners who are ‘excellent in their practice’.

Successful completion of this course means that you will have achieved qualified practitioner status and will be eligible for employment as a counsellor working with children and young people.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: FdSc Counselling Children and Young People

Part-time study

This award is available on a one day per week basis.

Course content

Over the 3-year duration of the programme, you will study ten modules, including:

Develop a Theoretical Base 1: Models of Counselling Applied to Working with Children and Young People (30 credits at Level 4)

Counselling Children and Young People Skills 1 (30 credits at Level 4)

Personal Development 1: Understanding Self (30 credits at Level 4)

Professional Issues 1: Preparing for Work in Placement with Children and Young People (15 credits at Level 4)

Counselling Children and Young People Skills 2 (15 credits at Level 4)

Professional Issues 2: Case Formulation, Children’s Mental Health and Theories of Child Development (15 credits at Level 5)

Counselling Placement (30 credits at Level 5)

Personal Development 2: The Group Process (30 credits at Level 5)

Developing a Theoretical Base 2: Further Theoretical Developments in Counselling Children and Young People (30 credits at Level 5)

Professional Issues 3: Setting up a Private Practice for Counselling Children and Young People (15 credits at Level 5)

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Counselling Children And Young People Skills 1	20 credits
Counselling Children And Young People Skills 2	20 credits
Develop A Theoretical Base 1 - Models Of Counselling Applied To Working With Children And Young People	20 credits
Personal Development For Counsellers 1 - Understanding Of Self	40 credits
Working With Children And Young People Professional Issues For Counsellors 1 - Preparing For The Counselling Placement	20 credits

Year 2 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Counselling Placement	40 credits
Personal Development For Counsellors 2 - The Group Process	20 credits
Working With Children And Young People Professional Issues For Counsellors 2- Case Formulation, Children's Mental Health	20 credits

Year 3 compulsory modules
Year 3 compulsory modules
Develop A Theoretical Base 2 - Further Theoretical Developments In Counselling Children And Young People	20 credits
Working With Children And Young People Professional Issuesfor Counsellors 3 - Setting Up A Private Practice	20 credits

Location

You will study at Riverside College but receive a qualification from University of Staffordshire.

Riverside College prides itself as a centre of vocational excellence. They have a simple ambition: We want you to reach your full potential during your valuable time with us.

Riverside College website

Entry requirements

Level 3 Certificate in Counselling or a Level 3 in a related qualification with experience of employment in an environment with children for a minimum of one year (e.g. within a school or college)

GCSE English Language C or above (or equivalent)

An enhanced satisfactory current DBS check

Two references (one from an academic source)

All applicants will be interviewed for a place on this programme.

Careers

Graduates of the Foundation Degree in Counselling in Children and Young People may find employment in a range of counselling fields such as schools, colleges, volunteer sector organisations and the NHS. Graduates may also set up their own private practice. Graduates may have the opportunity to complete a BSc (Hons) Counselling at Riverside College.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

We know that our students learn in different ways. To help everyone get the most out of their studies, we teach through a combination of lectures, workshops, and practical sessions. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor (or equivalent) at least twice a year to help support you in your studies. You will be taught in high-quality learning spaces throughout your course, and of course will have access to virtual learning environments to enhance your learning opportunities. Many of our courses are accredited or recognised by professional, statutory or regulatory bodies.

Assessment

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module will give you a variety of opportunities to receive informal feedback from your tutor. These may include classroom discussions, discussions in the virtual learning environment, presentations, milestone assessments, and practice assessments. Informal feedback is developmental and any grades you may receive for these do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Feedback

You will normally receive feedback on formal coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats, including one-to-one discussions with your tutor. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Staff

Rosie Byrom

Louise Allen

Fees

Fees information is currently unavailable.

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Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.