Course description
General information
This is a new type of higher education qualification designed to bring higher education and the Counselling services together to ensure that the needs of trainees and employers are brought together more directly. One of the major strengths of this qualification is the close collaboration between trainers, the College and employers or counselling placement providers. Equally important is the fact that the programme is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
During the first year students will gain necessary skills, theoretical knowledge, ethical understanding and personal awareness in preparation for starting practice placement. Work-based learning involves understanding agency policies and procedures, working with others as well as working with clients. Work-based learning in the first year will be mainly based around individual and group tutorials to help students prepare for their placement.
During the second and third year of the programme, students need to complete a minimum of 125 hours of supervised client hours in addition to attending College. A minimum of 60 hours of personal therapy over the three years is also a requirement.
Course content
The qualification consists of:
* Academic Skills (core skills for studying at Higher Education)
* Work-based learning
* Counselling skills
* Counselling theory
* Clinical practice
* Personal development
* Working ethically in organisations
* Working with difference and diversity
* Research methodology
* Brief and time-limited working
* Mental health
Teaching and assessment
Assessment is through academic, experiential and work based assignments/projects. Method of teaching is varied and will involve experiential as well as didactic teaching and learning. Learning in the placement will be an essential part of the course.
Progression
Bromley College's Foundation Degree in Integrative Counselling is a professional, generic qualification, aimed at providing training for counselling adults. The qualification can help obtain employment in a variety of settings such as the NHS (a rapidly growing area for counselling practice), different counselling agencies (eg bereavement, alcohol), schools and private practice. Progression to the BA in Counselling or MSc in Therapeutic Counselling programmes at University of Greenwich.
Further information
The Foundation Degree is 240 credits; 120 credits at level 1, 120 credits at level 2. Students who do not complete the programme can get recognition for partial achievement by receiving one of the following short course awards: Certificate of Credit - courses less than 30 credits, University Certificate of Professional Development - courses of 30-60 credits, University Certificate of Continuing Education - courses 30-60 credits, Certificate of Higher Education - 120 credits at Level 1.
Part-time. 27 months duration, one day a week in College and another day a week in work-based placement and related activity and study.
