The QCA Accreditation Number also appears in the Learning & Skills Council's on-line Learning Aims Database (which can be used to ascertain funding eligibility), except there it is called the “Learning Aim Number”.

Successful completion of the qualification means that the trainees will be able to provide a therapeutic counselling service - initially within the context of an agency's service framework, but later (with experience and support from a supervisor, or by completing PC-L5 or its equivalent) they may progress to independent practice.

All of the units are based on CPCAB's model of practitioner development and proficiency.

A complete unit specification (including unit learning outcomes, unit-elements and element-criteria) is given in both the TC-L4 Tutor User Guide and the TC-L4 Candidate User Guide.

1. Accredited into the National Qualifications Framework by the Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (QCA): Accreditation Number 100/5034/6. This allows funding of eligible courses by the Learning & Skills Council (LSC).
2. Formally supported by the Employment National Training Organisation (ENTO).
3. CPCAB qualifications attract a Band C Programme Weighting in the LSC's funding formula and are eligible for LSC funding.

• Definition of GLH as given by the Learning & Skills Council.

However, the CPCAB strongly recommends that candidates be at least 25 years old - potential trainees under this age need to be assessed especially carefully prior to course entry.

Tutors can allow progression onto the first year of TC-L4 to candidates who have not yet completed their assessment for CST-L3. However, such candidates must successfully complete the assessment prior to entry into the 2nd year of TC-L4.

For further guidance on course entry requirements and recommendations please contact CPCAB.

• Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (PC-L5)
• Level 6 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision (TCSU-L6).

Note that to progress directly from TC-L4 to TCSU-L6, candidates require at least two years (part-time) of additional, post TC-L4 (or equivalent), qualifying experience.

CPCAB recommends that the candidate's agency provides appropriate clinical supervision to meet BACP supervision guidelines for trainees - currently a minimum of 1.5 hours individual supervision per month (or the equivalent if in group supervision) or 1 hours supervision for every 8 hours client work.

Staffing and other resources must reflect the Band C Programme Weighting factor available for this qualification.

• Year 1 - £175 per candidate
• Year 2 - £175 per candidate

Centres can design their own training programmes (*) or use approved course material (**) written to CPCAB specifications.

* All Centre-designed courses must be submitted to CPCAB for approval before candidates can be registered. Although the delivery of courses may differ from Centre to Centre, all delivery must enable the candidates to achieve the learning outcomes specified in the units.

** Please contact CSCT on 0870 163 6900 or visit www.counsellingtraining.com for further details.