Counselling (Children and Young People) - MSc at 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 students 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 student accreditation and will support students with this after graduation from the 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.

A placement module in each semester 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 guaranteed 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 ensure a good depth of understanding and thorough integration of theory and practice of child and young person counselling.