Systems, Content, Management

Level 3 Diploma in Counselling.

‘This course is Quality Checked by the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). Completing an NCPS Quality Checked course alone is not a route to the Accredited Register nor does it fully equip a graduate to practice as a qualified counsellor or refer to themselves as a specialist in this area of work.” (http://www.nationalcounsellingsociety.org “”)

The Level 3 Diploma in Counselling has been written by PC Counselling and Training Ltd and is an ideal qualification for those seeking to enhance their functional role through the use of counselling skills. It now, also includes important aspects of our previous Level 2 Certificate in the Introduction to Counselling. Learners will gain an understanding of a range of counselling skills and have the opportunity to examine some of the various schools of counselling/theoretical models associated with them.

This qualification can be used as a progression route towards a range of qualifications, eg counselling, advice and guidance, or workplace mentoring.

It is also designed for learners interested in using counselling skills as part of their functional role in a wide range of sector areas, or looking to progress towards accredited counsellor status with one of the counselling professional accrediting bodies like The National Counselling Society or the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

This qualification does not qualify learners to practice as a counsellor.

This qualification aims to:

  • Provide learners with an ability to apply counselling skills in everyday life and work and improve their knowledge of some of the theories that underpin the use of counselling skills.

The objectives of this qualification are to help learners to:

  • Develop counselling skills
  • Understand the different approaches involved in the use of counselling skills
  • Appreciate the importance of self-development
  • Acknowledge diversity in a counselling setting

Entry guidance

Entry is subject to an informal interview and is at the discretion of PC Counselling and Training Ltd; however, learners should be aged 18 years or over to undertake this qualification.

PC Counselling and Training Ltd are responsible for ensuring that this qualification is appropriate for the age and ability of learners. They will endeavour to make sure that learners can fulfill the requirements of the assessment criteria and comply with the relevant literacy, numeracy and health and safety aspects of this qualification.

Achieving this qualification

This qualification consists of 4 mandatory units:

  • Unit 01 Counselling Skills Development
  • Unit 02 Theoretical approaches in counselling
  • Unit 03 Working legally and ethically in counselling
  • Unit 04 Personal and professional development

To be awarded the Level 3 Diploma in Counselling, learners are required to complete all criteria in all 4 mandatory units. Work is to be presented in a portfolio of evidence which is assessed internally and moderated externally. Unit Summaries

Unit 01 Counselling Skills Development

  • In this unit learners will have an opportunity to build on previous skills learned on level 2 and to practice and develop new skills. On completion learners will be aware of the skills required to initiate, maintain and conclude a counselling skills interaction.

Unit 02 Theoretical approaches in counselling

  • In this unit learners will have an opportunity to understand and evaluate key elements of the main theoretical approaches to counselling.

Unit 03 Working legally and ethically in counselling

  • In this unit, learners will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of maintaining ethical standards in counselling as well as he legal responsibilities of a counsellor.

Unit 04 Personal and professional development

  • In this unit learners will have the opportunity to reflect on their personal and professional development and the way in which they interact with others.

How is the qualification assessed? Internal assessment is the process of measuring a candidate’s skill, knowledge and understanding against the standards set in the qualification.

The Level 3 Diploma in Counselling assessment consists of:

  • An internally assessed portfolio of evidence which is assessed by centre staff
  • Portfolio is then externally assessed by One Awards to meet their Quality Mark Standard.

All learning outcomes within each candidate portfolio must be assessed by Assessors in the centre. A reasonable sample of portfolios must then be assessed by an Internal Moderator to ensure consistency with national standards.

Each candidate must create a portfolio of evidence which demonstrates achievement of all learning outcomes associated with each unit.

The main pieces of evidence for the portfolio could include:

  • Assessor observation – completed observational checklists and related action plans
  • Witness testimony
  • Worksheets
  • Assignments/projects/reports
  • Professional discussion
  • Learner and peer reports

Learners who achieve this qualification could progress to:

  • Level 3 Certificates in Workplace Mentoring
  • Level 3 and 4 NVQs in Advice and Guidance
  • Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling
  • Foundation Degrees in, for example, Health and Social Care, Addictions Counselling, Care, Counselling and Working with Young People

This course will be delivered twice a year and will only run pending sufficient numbers.

Please see Announcements on the homepage for the most up to date information on course dates and times.

Venue: The Clervaux Exchange, Clervaux Terrace, Jarrow, NE32 5UP

Fees must be paid in full before certification is issued.