Distance Learning - Counselling Skills Certificate L2 (Online) (24/25)

Our counselling skills course serves as an introduction to the main theories and challenges faced by counselling practitioners. Person-centred theory, cognitive behavioural therapy and psychodynamic theory are some of the concepts about which you will learn. As well as these theoretical concepts, you will learn about the practical skills involved with active listening, self-reflective practice and helping individuals open up to others and how to deal with stigmas related to mental health. We would recommend this course to anyone who is looking to start learning more about what it takes to be a counsellor, or to add the skills to their existing careers. The course is ideal for anyone who works in roles with pastoral responsibilities such as, youth workers, teachers, health and social care workers, and roles in coaching and mediation.

Learners start and complete our distance learning courses every day, all year, so there is no need to wait until term begins. The courses are designed to be ready when you are, so you can fit it into your schedule.

Study takes place in an online virtual learning environment (VLE) where you can study at any time and at your own pace. We ask that learners complete their courses within the given timeframe and that as a broad average most courses can take approximately 6-8 hours per week to complete. However, timeframes are flexible on a person-by-person basis should any learners require reasonable adjustments or other additional support.

Whilst this course will help you gain knowledge which can be used in practice, there is very little practical counselling involved. If you are looking for progression to a career in counselling or to progress to further training this course may not fulfill admissions or job requirements without practical experience.

• Learners must live in England
• Learners must not live in a  local combined authority, apart from West of England Combined Authority (WECA)
• Learners must have lived in the European Economic area or the UK for at least
  the last three years
• Non-UK nationals will be asked to supply evidence of their immigration status
• Learners aged 19-23 must already hold a either a full level 2 qualification, or 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above

Distance learning relies on communication between you and the college. We appreciate that learners with busy lives might face challenges in keeping up with their courses. All we ask is that learners stay in touch with us. Learners who don't risk being withdrawn from their courses.

Remote distance learners are afforded access to every kind of support available to on campus learners. This includes Welfare support and additional learning support. We have a dedicated Learning Support coordinator who can offer one-to-one support to learners. This can be for a myriad of reasons, ranging from disability, learning difficulties, or just needing some help after being out of education for a long time. There is no need to have a formal diagnosis of any condition to access this support.

Learners are paired with an experienced assessor and they submit work and are assessed online using the virtual learning environment e-Assessor Pro. Learners are given detailed feedback on their work by their assessors. Any reasonable adjustments to assessment arrangements are made on a person-by-person basis.

Our courses have set durations however we are sympathetic with learners who have busy lifestyles and other demands on their time. As a general average we recommend that learners spend approximately 6-8 hours learning time per week. This can include interacting with learning content, completing assessments and other learning such as secondary reading, research or receiving learning support. Any learner who has concerns with the time commitment should contact us to discuss ways we can support them.

Our distance learning courses are planned to meet both local and national skills needs. These courses are ideal as additional development for professionals, or as introductions to topics and issues which are relevant to finding work or further training. Distance learning students are able to access careers advice via the college's Student Services team. several of our courses complement each other and learners are able to study up to three courses each academic year (1st August-31st July).

Whilst this course will help you gain knowledge which can be used in practice, there is very little practical counselling involved. If you are looking for a progression to a career in full time counselling or to progress to our on-campus taught L3 and L4 counselling courses practical experience at L2 is required. If this interests you email: PTcourses@bathcollege.ac.uk.