What Will Happen At My First Lesson
The first week of your course will include study skills. Good study skills are vital to ensure you gain the best from your course. The study skills session will give you the opportunity to discover the best way that you can learn and fully understand the requirements of the course.

Examinations Venue Disclaimer
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What Qualification/level is this course?
This course leads to CPCAB Level 2 Certificate In Counselling Skills.

Who is this course for?
This course is for those who may wish to explore counselling as a long term career path or who wish to further develop their counselling skills for home or work situations. Prior to enrolment on this course, learners must complete an ACL Counselling Skills Introduction course and there cannot be any exceptions to this. Learners must attend a pre-course assessment session within 6 months of the start date of the course and have good written English skills before enrolment. This course is not suitable for those who are currently in a state of emotional difficulty or psychological confusion. Please note that this programme does not provide a professional qualification or entitlement to practice as a counsellor.

What can I expect to learn?
Assessment for certification is by submission of a portfolio of written evidence meeting given criteria. Homework is essential throughout the course; you will keep a journal with regular reflection on your own development and complete a portfolio of written evidence. Topics focus on the 7 units of the qualification: Use counselling skills ethically and safely; Establish and sustain the boundaries of the helping role; Work empathically as a helper; Focus on the helpee’s needs and concerns Use self-awareness in helping work; Use a range of counselling skills to facilitate the helping interaction; Use feedback and reflection to enhance counselling skills.

How will I learn?
Your tutor will use a number of different teaching methods to develop your skills. These will include tutor presentation, group discussion, individual study, working in pairs/group activities, tutorials, and will include the use of video/audio. Activities will involve some personal disclosure and associated personal developmental activities. Homework is essential throughout the course; you will keep a journal with regular reflection on your own development and complete a portfolio of written evidence.

How will I know how well I am doing?
You will complete a portfolio of evidence demonstrating achievement of learning outcomes and assessment criteria associated with each unit ongoing throughout the course. Supportive tutor feedback and self-evaluation will enable you to understand your progress and you must be prepared to annotate your individual learning record regularly to reflect this.

Will I need to do any work at home?
You should allow approximately 10 hours per week throughout the course for homework including keeping a journal with regular reflection on your own development, undertake reading of handouts and other materials and complete homework activities as given by the tutor to consolidate your learning and complete a portfolio of written evidence meeting awarding body criteria.

What will I need to provide?
You will need access to a laptop/PC with current operating system and browser software, ability to access websites, create, save and retrieve documents, read and send emails with attachments, save attachments. This is required for completion of your portfolio of digital documents using MS Word. Notepad and pen for notetaking. An up to date copy of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy is recommended and available to download free from website www.bacp.co.uk. You may find it advantageous to have an up to date library membership to access a wider range of texts from local libraries for research.

Are there any other costs?
No further costs are required, however reference will be made to a range of optional supporting texts which learners may wish to access for independent study.

What can I do next?
Your tutor will be able to advise on further activities and courses to help you progress further in this subject. Learners who achieve the qualification could progress to a Level 3 certificate programme. For ACL courses see https://aclessex.com/ The National Careers Service provides information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work. The service offers confidential and impartial advice and is supported by qualified careers advisers. To make an appointment please call 0800 100 900 (calls are free from landlines and most mobile numbers) or visit their website https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/

Further information
For all enquiries regarding this course please contact 0345 603 7635.