Counselling (Children and Young People) MSc

Birmingham City University

Our MSc Counselling (Children and Young People) course includes a minimum of 100 hours of supervised client practice hours.

The placements will be managed through an agreement with St Martin’s Counselling and Psychotherapy service, who will support you in placements across the city. Placements in areas other than Birmingham may be possible by negotiation.

The course aims to meet the professional accreditation requirements in counselling children and young people that will enable successful graduates (who have also met all required professional practice components) to achieve accreditation through UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) or British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). St Martin’s will be actively involved in supporting your accreditation and will support you with this after graduation from the course.

Following the successful completion of this course you will have demonstrated sound practical counselling competence and will be able to continue to work alongside other professionals offering counselling support to children and young people within supported contexts such as schools and voluntary agencies.

What's covered in this course?

During the first semester, the focus will be on the development of the necessary knowledge and competence to be able to begin practical counselling with child clients. Course and placement structures will ensure that work is performed safely and with appropriate support and guidance in accordance with UKCP requirements.

Two skills modules in semester 1 and placement modules in semester 2 and 3 will ensure the on-going integration of theory and practice. A focus on play, the use of creative media and an in-depth exploration of the knowledge base (detailed by the professional standards of education and training for child counselling) will ensure an appropriately level of skill and competence.

The agreement between BCU and St Martins Counselling and Psychotherapy brings a host of unique benefits including:

• A placement that meets course requirements

• A placement that is fully integrated with learning on the course

• In-house supervision

• Personal therapy at a fixed and discounted rate

• Support with post qualification accreditation arrangements

During the final semester, an extended practice-based research project will support your understanding of the importance of outcome measure in child therapy and develop your competence in child counselling research.