In this Update
Reminder to fill in supplementary recognition forms
Support for CPCAB qualifications - thank you
CPCAB qualifications - an updated list
Titling of courses - changes as part of the move to the QCF
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
External assessment
Standardisation dates
‘YouTweetFace’
New DVDs: coming soon
Find a Counsellor
Humour
"Doctor, I feel like a bridge."
"What on earth's come over you?"
"So far two cars, a truck, and a coach."
The young client was very upset when she turned up for her regular session with the sexual counsellor.
‘Do you remember last week we agreed that it was OK for me to take the initiative in bed now and again?’ she sobbed. The counsellor nodded.
‘Well,’ she continued ‘last night I suggested that my husband should tie me up and do anything he liked. So he did!’ She sobbed some more.
‘And you didn’t care for what he did?’ the therapist gently questioned.
‘I certainly didn't!’ the girl replied. ‘He tied me to the headboard and went to the pub with his mates!’
CPCAB is now using twitter and facebook to share updates about what we're doing and working on. You can use the buttons below to find us
If you'd like to be removed from CPCAB's Update mailing list please send an email to marina@cpcab.co.uk.
Best wishes for the summer
Once again it’s been a year of changes in the world of counselling and counselling training. As we reach the end of the academic year some things are clearer now than they were a year ago - for example CPCAB’s qualifications have now all successfully been migrated to the QCF and whilst the HPC’s decisions on regulating counselling have proved to be much more complex than originally anticipated, we are much nearer to a conclusion now and will, of course, share the news with you as soon as we hear it.
Funding of counselling training, like other areas of public funding, remains a concern in the current economic climate. We are very interested to share your inventive ways of accessing different areas of funding and will be happy to pass on any helpful advice to others.
We send you best wishes for a happy and restful summer break.
Reminder to fill in supplementary recognition forms
In March we wrote to you with the news that CPCAB’s qualifications had been migrated to the new qualifications successfully and explained that under the terms of the new framework centres face additional requirements.
‘Finally, in order to offer these revised qualifications your centre needs to demonstrate that it can meet a number of additional requirements. These can be found in the attached Supplementary recognition for centres offering QCF units and qualifications form which you should complete and return to Jackie Collier at CPCAB, PO Box 1768, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 8YP. You should also ensure that your website, prospectus and any course literature is updated accordingly. However, if you decide that you will not be running our qualifications in September we would be grateful if you let us know by emailing jackie@cpcab.co.uk. Thank you.’
We’re still waiting for many of you to complete your supplementary recognition forms and return them to us. If you haven’t done yours yet please don’t wait any longer as this will impact on your registration of candidates in September. A copy of the form you need to complete can be found by clicking here.
Support for CPCAB qualifications - thank you
Thank you very much for your support for the level 2 and Level 3 qualification extensions. All the documents, including your letters, have been submitted to Ofqual and confirmation of extension to December 2013 should be with us by the end of the summer. Your support has been critical to this process and we're very grateful.
CPCAB qualifications - an updated list
Once again, we’re including a summary of the QCF versions of our qualifications in case you may find it helpful. It includes links to the National Database of Accredited Qualifications and we hope they will save you some valuable minutes! See below for details.
Titling of courses - changes as part of the move to the QCF
The recent migration of CPCAB qualifications to the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) has prompted a number of enquiries from candidates either currently or formerly studying on either:-
- the current Level 5 Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Skills & Theory, which under the new framework has been re-titled as a ‘diploma’; and
- the current level 6 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling Supervision, which under the new framework has been re-titled as a ‘certificate’.
We hope the following paragraphs will explain the reasoning behind the changes in title, which were introduced by Ofqual, the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (the regulators of awarding bodies in England). With the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (which replaces the former National Qualifications Framework) titling of all qualifications on the new framework has been changed and now reflects the number of credits achieved by the learner.
All QCF qualifications are based on ‘units’ and Ofqual’s ‘Regulatory arrangements for the QCF’ states:
- ‘all units must identify a credit value for the unit which specifies the number of credits that will be awarded to a learner who has achieved the learning outcomes of the unit. This must be based on: (a) one credit for those learning outcomes achievable in 10 hours of learning ... etc (paragraph 1.7)’ and
- ‘The size of a qualification must be signalled through the use of the terms ‘Award’, ‘Certificate’ and ‘Diploma’. This must be determined by the credit value of the qualifications (which is established by the rule of combination for the qualification as detailed in paragraph 1.24) as follows:
| Title | Award | Certificate | Diploma |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit value | 1 to 12 | 13 to 36 | 37 and above |
From this you will see that the titles ‘award’, ‘certificate’ and ‘diploma’ reflect the number of credits achieved by the learner and is related to the notional learning time associated with a programme of study. It does not reflect the level of competence. A credit can be achieved at any level of study. For example, a learner could have achieved a Certificate at level 6 which will indicate a higher level of competence than a Diploma at level 5.
A qualification entitled ‘diploma’ will indicate that the hours of study completed is in excess of 360 learning hours. The length of study is based on the hours in the classroom as well as private study including assessments and research requirements.
Qualifications approved by the regulator are examined to ensure that both the level (content) and the duration of study (as indicated by the credits) are appropriate to the purpose of the qualification. Once approved this cannot be changed. Minor amendments may be made but the title, credit value and level of the course will remain the same.
The change from the National Qualification Framework (NQF) to the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) have had implications for all national qualification provision and CPCAB as an Awarding Organisation has demonstrated that it conforms to the regulator’s requirements.
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
You may be interested to know that three of CPCAB’s higher-level qualifications have recently been credit rated on to the Scottish Qualifications & Credit Framework;
- the Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling - 120 SCQF Credit points at SCQF Level 7
- the Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling - 46 SCQF Credit points at SCQF Level 8
- the Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Skills and Theory. 39 SCQF Credit points at SCQF Level 8
We hope this will encourage centres in Scotland to offer the qualifications which are linked to the Open University’s Foundation Degree in Counselling. Unfortunately the SQCF website is currently experiencing technical difficulties so the qualifications have not been included yet; we have been assured that this will be resolved soon.
External assessment
To repeat our message in April’s Update, dates for next year’s external assessment are now available - see the CPCAB website for details.
Standardisation dates
A reminder that ALL new tutors are required to attend standardisation training during the 2009/10 academic year, as well as any tutors who didn’t attend last year. Centres must ensure that at least one experienced tutor attends each year and cascades the information to others in the team. There is no charge for standardisation training and lunch is provided; to be sure of getting a place at your most convenient venue be sure to book early. Details of 2010/11 standardisation dates and booking form are available on the website.
Important note for tutors delivering higher-level (levels 5 and 6) qualifications
The Birmingham session on Saturday 17th September is specifically designed for tutors delivering higher level qualifications (or in the process of working towards higher-level qualifications) and we won’t be standardising any level 2 or 3 qualifications at this particular session. If you teach at level 5 and 6 please make every effort to attend this session. If it’s not possible for you to attend there will be a ‘mop-up’ session in London on Friday 15th October; however this will be a half-day session only and numbers are expected to be very low. We have introduced this designated higher-level programme in response to feedback from tutors in previous years and we hope it will give you a more valuable in-depth experience.
‘YouTweetFace’
Any ‘YouTweetFace-ers’ out there may be interested to know that CPCAB has a YouTube channel, together with accounts on both Twitter (for ‘tweeting’) and Facebook. We use these to share updates about what we're doing and working on (or else, in the case of YouTube, to show online some of the counselling-related videos we’ve produced).
Twitter: http://bit.ly/CPCAB_on_Twitter
Facebook: http://bit.ly/CPCAB_on_Facebook
YouTube: http://bit.ly/CPCAB_on_YouTube
New DVDs: coming soon
We will soon be releasing three brand new counselling DVDs, the titles of which are:
- The Need to Belong
- Ending Therapy
- Experiencing Counselling.
We'll publicise details of their content and pricing on our website very soon and you'll be able to purchase copies from our online shop. Keep an eye on our twitter and facebook updates too for further information.
Find a Counsellor
Our on-line ‘Find a Counsellor’ service continues to grow. If you are looking for a counsellor or psychotherapist, or wish to promote your counselling service to potential clients and/or employers, then visit: www.findacounsellor.info for more details.