QCF qualifications now available
CPCAB is pleased to announce that all CPCAB qualifications have now been successfully migrated to the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)! There have been important changes to the GLH, titles, learning outcomes and criteria. Furthermore all the qualifications have been updated to reflect the latest research.
These new qualifications replace the old NQF qualifications which will no longer be available after August 2010 (with the exception of Year 2 of TC-L4). Please note that although the CPCAB qualification codes remain the same the QCF qualification numbers have changed. You can view documents related to our QCF qualifications in the downloads section.
CPCAB's research-informed model
The structure and content of CPCAB qualifications are based on a model of practitioner development and proficiency. The model has been developed through a process of educational design research over a twenty year period with respect to thousands of courses at hundreds of training centres.
- Read our Introduction to the contemporary research that informs the CPCAB model of practitioner development and proficiency
- Read our overview of the CPCAB model
- Read CPCAB's Service Levels Framework
- View a pyramid diagram showing how our research-informed qualifications are designed to lead to evidence-based practice
Foundation Degree in Counselling
CPCAB, in partnership with the Open University, has developed a Foundation Degree in Counselling. The degree combines CPCAB’s expertise and specialist knowledge of the field with the Open University’s expertise and experience in delivering flexible learning.
The Foundation Degree requires candidates to complete 240 credit points in total. This is made up of 150 credit points derived from CPCAB work-based qualifications delivered in Further Education Colleges or in private training centres:
- CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling plus
- CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling or
- CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Skills and Theory
and 90 credit points from Open University knowledge-based modules.
The entry requirements for the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma are:
- CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CSK-L2) or its equivalent plus
- CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies (CST-L3) or its equivalent.
In addition to these academic qualifications applicants for the diploma will need to demonstrate some knowledge of counselling agencies, growing self awareness and ability to skilfully form a helping relationship. See the TC-L4 Qualification Document for full guidance to entry.
It is important to note that progression on to the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma is not an automatic process and is dependent upon a successful interview with the training provider.
The 90 credit points from the OU knowledge-based modules are gained from:
- The mandatory module (30 points) which will be presented for the first time in May 2010 and
- The additional 60 points which must be taken from a combination of the following OU psychology or mental health options:
DSE 212 Exploring psychology (60 points)
ED 209 Child development (60 points)
K225 Diverse perspectives on mental health (30 points)
K272 Challenging ideas in mental health (30 points)
K260 Death and dying (30 points)
SDK228 The science of the mind: investigating mental health (30 points)
The workbased and the knowledge based components can be taken in any order to suit the convenience of the candidate. In other words candidates may do all or some OU modules before the CPCAB qualifications or the other way around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read CPCAB's answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Foundation Degree.
Further Information
For further information about the Foundation Degree in Counselling please visit www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?Q01G14
To keep up-to-date with new information about the Foundation Degree in Counselling please send an email to clare@cpcab.co.uk.
New: counselling videos
We've now added a selection of counselling videos to the CPCAB website. In some of these clips people talk about the challenges and difficulties they’re facing. In others the person is simply telling their story - just like at the beginning of a counselling relationship - and in some cases they’re working with a counsellor. Have a look at the video section to find out more.
Our qualifications: at a glance
Award in Effective Listening Skills (ELSK-L2)
This qualification is intended for candidates who wish to develop their listening skills in order to:
- improve communication;
- improve existing work roles;
- enhance personal relationships;
- improve collegial relationships within workplace teams;
- enhance helping relationships;
- promote better community relations.
Award in Listening Support Skills (LSK-L2)
This qualification is intended for candidates who wish to use listening support skills in any of the following:
- Peer Support work;
- as an important element of work as a helping professional;
- to improve work relations by supporting colleagues at work;
- to work with helping relationships;
- to support service users;
- to support the roles of para-professionals and volunteers drawn from the local community;
- to enhance community relations.
Level 2 Award in Understanding Substance Misuse (USM-L2)
This qualification is intended for candidates who wish to develop their knowledge of substance misuse in order to:
- raise awareness of substance misuse and its consequences
- improve the knowledge, awareness, understanding and effectiveness of those:
- currently working in the field of substance misuse
- supporting people involved in substance misuse
- working to prevent substance misuse
Award in Introduction to Counselling Skills (ICSK-L2)
This qualification is intended for candidates who:
- want to learn initial counselling skills to help others – either in a voluntary or an employed situation
- want to find out more about this field – this course won’t teach them to be a counsellor, but may help them decide whether or not they want to train as one.
Certificate in Counselling Skills (CSK-L2)
This qualification is intended for candidates who:
- want to learn counselling skills to help others – either in a voluntary or an employed situation;
- want to find out more about this field – this course won’t teach them to be a counsellor but may help them decide whether or not to continue training.
Certificate in Counselling Studies (CST-L3)
This qualification is intended for candidates who want to:
- take the next step in training to become a counsellor (having already acquired counselling skills);
- learn more about counselling theory and agency work
Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (TC-L4)
This qualification is intended for candidates who want to train to become a counsellor working in a counselling service agency. Successful completion of this course means that the trainees will be able to provide a therapeutic counselling service within the context of an agency's service framework.
Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (PC-L5)
This qualification is intended for candidates who have acquired the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling or its RPL (prior learning) equivalent and wish to continue to develop their understanding and skills in order to:
- establish and maintain an appropriate framework for independent practice;
- practice as a senior counsellor within an agency;
- develop their proficiency to work with clients at CPCAB Service Level B21;
- deepen their ability to work with the counselling relationship;
- develop their proficiency in one particular counselling approach;
- facilitate understanding of working in health settings;
- carry out client assessments (including identifying and referring clients with
severe and complex mental health problems).
Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Skills and Theory (CBT-L5)
This qualification is intended for candidates who want to develop CBT skills and theory as an integral part of their counselling work.
Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision (TCSU-L6)
This qualification is for experienced counsellors who want to learn the skills of supervision to supervise counsellors working at service levels A and B.1 Participants will need to:
- have both supervisees and supervisory supervision
- be themselves working as counsellors under supervision
Keep up to date
Our latest tweet:
“In search of wisdom”: transpersonal psychotherapist Jan Mojsa shares (in this short video) a description of 'wisdom': http://bit.ly/a7RjkJ
Posted 2 days ago
CPCAB is now using twitter and facebook to share updates about what we're doing and working on. You can use the buttons below to find us.
Regulation debate
Keep up to date with the regulation debate here
We're interested in hearing your thoughts and comments on this subject so please send them to admin@cpcab.co.uk.
For tutors
You can read the latest news from CPCAB in Update.
When Someone Dies is a new DVD by CPCAB and the Counselling Channel. You can see a preview video of it and buy it online from our shop. There is also a When Someone Dies mini-site containing teaching resources at www.cpcab.co.uk/WhenSomeoneDies
Funding advice
Read CPCAB's advice regarding changes in the allocation of funding for vocational qualifications
External Assessment
You can now view the External Assessment dates, Standardisation Training dates and Fee structure for 2010-11 online.
For Learners
New to CPCAB? See FAQs for Learners for answers your questions.
If you're interested in gaining a CPCAB qualification use the centre finder to find out where your nearest CPCAB approved centre is.
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