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Placements: An Integral Part of Therapeutic Training

​Placements are an integral part of training to be a therapeutic counsellor, where students begin to translate theory into practice with real clients. All students are expected to undertake a placement for every year of training. Depending on the route taken, students may have more than one placement to meet the course requirements

Type of Placement?

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Year 1 - Contextual Familiarisation Placement

Year 2 - Therapeutic Counselling Professional Placement 

Year 3 - Therapeutic Counselling Professional Placement 

Year 4 - Therapeutic Counselling Professional Placement 

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A familiarisation placement in year one, involves working in the contexts where clients live, learn, work and play. This enables students to gain insight into how organisations work, particularly with reference to managing and assessing risks, safeguarding adults and child protection. This also enables students to work with and alongside other professionals, learning about interdisciplinary practice, mental health challenges and professional communication. Ways students can contribute are based on previous experience, skillset and qualifications.

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Professional placements commence when the student has been accepted on the professional training after year one. These are where students will start their therapeutic counselling practice

Where Can I Do My Placement?

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Placements can take place in a statutory or voluntary organisation. These can include: schools and community counselling services. All placement settings need to be approved prior to commencement for their suitability. This will be discussed with students individually and requires a placement contract between the provider, the supervisor, and the training course.

 

There are no circumstances in which private practice is permitted or supported whilst being a student in training. Students are not allowed to work independently or outside an organisational setting during their training.

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All placements must be managed by an appropriately qualified or experienced professional who can manage any safeguarding issues that emerge and who can write a report on the trainee’s professional conduct

How Many Hours Is The Placement?

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Students need to complete 450 hours of supervised placement throughout their four-year training.​

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The course recommends that students set aside one day a week for professional placements, including time for travel, writing notes, reports, safeguarding, and supervision for the duration of the training. Students may need more than one placement to meet the course requirements, and it is advisable to have a placement in at least two different contexts over the four years.

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For students on the Creative Health route in years one and two, this may include their own employment context and professional practice. This may be augmented by delivering therapeutic mentoring, key working or creative groupwork, as well as their own designed and delivered community wellbeing project.

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Placement Considerations

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Students are required to have an up-to-date DBS and trainee insurance to be able to start placement. ​​

 

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have factored in the time and financial commitments needed to undertake their placements.  The training does not cover costs associated with placements.

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Trainees must be transparent about their level of training, qualifications, and experience. The organisation, where the placement is delivered, must also be open about the students’ level of training and experience.

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Trainees work in accordance with the  NCPS Code of Ethics and Practice Guidance as well as industry standards relevant to their client work. This may include reference to the BACP Competencies, Ethical Framework, and Practice Guidance

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In-Person and Online Work 

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Most of the client hours that students complete during training must be in person and ‘in the room’. Students will receive training in technologically mediated approaches, and it may be that some organisations are well established for delivering online practice. Students can attend online supervision if necessary. It is recommended that all students have an experience of in person as well as in person therapy during their training to ensure they are well equipped for different modes of delivery

Supervision Whilst In Training​

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Supervision for therapeutic counsellors in training is a structured, supportive process where a trainee regularly meets with a qualified and approved practitioner to discuss their client work. This is for the purpose of support, education, management and monitoring.

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Students are required to have a minimum of 15 sessions per academic year of training and a ratio of  at least 1:8, to ensure training standards are met

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The purpose of supervision is to:

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  • ensure client safety and ethical practice

  • develop the trainee’s skills and confidence

  • reflect on sessions and improve decision-making

  • provide emotional support for the counsellor

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"I have learnt so much on my placement, more than I ever thought possible. I have really enjoyed being able to contribute to the school and support pupils with their wellbeing and mental health. I have had all the support I needed from my placement manager, my supervisor and the training.

I have just grown so much as a trainee from this experience."

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