May 2012 No. 38

In this Update

Humour

Counsellor says to the chicken, "so … why do YOU think you cross the road?"

And finally, a rather nice thought for counsellors - ‘listen’ is an anagram of ‘silent’ …

Keep in touch

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CPCAB accredits Relate training

CPCAB is delighted to report our new link with the Relate Institute, the UK’s leading provider of relationship counselling and counselling training. CPCAB has been working closely with Relate over the last year and will now be the awarding organisation for their level 4 and level 5 qualifications. Relate has also adopted the over-arching structure of the CPCAB model. This is an important development for CPCAB and a clear endorsement of the CPCAB approach to training.

We look forward to a long and productive partnership with this highly-regarded organisation. See www.relateinstitute.ac.uk/courses/level_4_relate_institute_intro.aspx and www.relateinstitute.ac.uk/courses/relationship_counselling_dip.aspx for more details of the level 4 and level 5 qualifications.

New CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies - important news!

As part of our annual review of our qualifications, CPCAB has taken the decision to enhance the Level 3 Counselling Studies qualification by incorporating an additional assessment criterion to Learning Outcome 6:

6.6 Explain why research findings are important in counselling work.

As you know, at CPCAB we pride ourselves on our research-based approach and it was felt that by introducing the notion of research at this level candidates would be better prepared for the demands of the level 4 diploma when the time comes. We will provide any necessary support centres need to implement this change via documentation updates and at annual standardisation meetings.

The qualification itself is unchanged apart from this new feature. However, one important change is that the new qualification now carries 20 credits under the Qualifications & Credit Framework, rather than 18. The original qualification will be withdrawn from Ofqual’s Register at the end of this summer (certification will be allowed for a further 3 years) so it’s important to be sure that you are signing up for the new version. The qualification you need to select is:

CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
600/5104/8 (qualification number/learning aim number).

The title of the qualification has not changed, so your publicity material will continue to be accurate.

New Bereavement and loss counselling DVD

This new DVD from the Counselling Channel - sponsored by CPCAB - is a research-informed counselling session followed by a review two years later. It goes to the very heart of the counselling experience and demonstrates how research-informed counselling can support a client to bear the pain of loss and achieve profound therapeutic change. It will, therefore, engage a wide range of practitioners and students, not only in the field of counselling and psychotherapy, but also in the broader health and social care sector.

Watch the DVD trailer below or order it from the CPCAB shop.

CPCAB's latest model

CPCAB's model of practitioner development and proficiency for counselling and helping work has been revised and updated. This version integrates the latest research findings on effective practice and includes the factors which contribute to therapeutic change. In addition, the CPCAB model also integrates a wide range of counselling modalities which enables centres to deliver training programmes based on their individual choice of modality.

View the latest CPCAB model.

Funding update

CPCAB is introducing a new ‘Funding Update’ feature on our website to keep you informed and up-to-date with the latest funding news about the Skills Funding Agency, the LARA, FE student loans and more. We hope you will find it helpful.

Level 3 Certificate in Life Coaching Studies

You may already have heard about this exciting new addition to the CPCAB ‘stable’. This new venture will be piloted from May 2012 to January 2013 and already we have heard from many interested parties. If you would like to come to Somerset to take part in our life coaching pilot presentation day on Saturday 26th May, please contact Jackie at jackie@cpcab.co.uk for more details. You can find more information about the new qualification here.

Case reviews at re-sit - levels 5 and 6

Please be aware that from September 2012, any candidate re-sitting L5 or L6 qualifications must choose a new client for their case review, rather than amending the case review previously submitted. Qualification documents will be updated to reflect this change.

Entry criteria for the Level 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision

At our standardisation training days during autumn 2011 we mentioned that we were considering altering the criteria for entry onto the Level 6 supervision course (TCSU-L6).

In our experience from the marking of external case reviews over the last year or so it has become apparent that some candidates do not have the necessary depth and breadth of client work to make that move into being a supervisor. There was a favourable response to increasing the minimum amount of client experience and for it to be expressed in terms of hours rather than years.

With this in mind, we can confirm that from September 2012 the recommended entry requirements FOR TCSU-L6 will be TC-L4, or PC-L5 or CBT-L5 plus a minimum of 450 hours of client work (in line with criteria for BACP accreditation).

As interviewing for September is likely to be taking place anytime from now over the coming months, you might want to bear this information in mind when advertising and when talking to new prospective candidates.

External Assessment 2012/13

The dates for External Assessment during the 2012-2013 teaching year are as follows:

Qualification Date of EA Date of results
ELSK-L2*,
LSK-L2* and USM-L2*
19/11/2012
04/03/2013
10/06/2013
12/08/2013
21/01/2013
15/04/2013
01/07/2013
09/09/2013
ICSK-L2
Date when CPCAB needs to receive CRC lists.
19/11/2012
04/03/2013
10/06/2013
12/08/2013
21/01/2013
15/04/2013
01/07/2013
09/09/2013
CSK-L2 14/01/2013
22/04/2013
08/07/2013
18/02/2013
03/06/2013
02/09/2013
CST-L3 28/01/2013
29/04/2013
08/07/2013
04/03/2013
10/06/2013
02/09/2013
TC-L4 Stage 1 Role play/audio recording:
01/10/2012 - 19/10/2012
07/01/2013 - 25/01/2013
29/04/2013 - 17/05/2013
N/A
TC-L4 Stage 2 Review papers:
22/10/2012
28/01/2013
20/05/2013

07/01/2013
25/03/2013
02/09/2013
PC-L5 08/10/2012
24/06/2013
10/12/2012
02/09/2013
CBT-L5 08/10/2012
24/06/2013
10/12/2012
02/09/2013
TCSU-L6 08/10/2012
24/06/2013
10/12/2012
02/09/2013

*Independent Verification.

External Assessment for Level 4 Diploma

From time to time we have problems with hearing the recorded sessions prepared by candidates as part of their external assessment at level 4. This guidance has been added to the tutor support documents that will be sent out for 2012/13:

‘Recorded sessions with poor sound qualities – e.g. background noise or where the voices are barely audible – will not be accepted for external assessment.

Please do not transfer recorded sessions for the whole group onto just one CD/memory stick. There must be a separate named recording for each candidate. Please also use CDs not DVDs, and ensure that the folders on digital devices are easily assessable. Also please ensure that batteries have sufficient power for playback by CPCAB assessors and moderators.’

We hope you find this helpful.

2-day CPD workshop - Understanding Substance Misuse

Our USM-L2 tutor workshops continue to be well supported and very popular. If you would like to join us for the next workshop on 14th and 15th July here in Somerset, please contact Jackie at jackie@cpcab.co.uk or click here for more information.

Tutor CV proforma

The CPCAB tutor CV pro forma has been updated. The changes will enable us to make more accurate judgments when we are approving tutors for the levels for which they are applying.

From Sept 2012 CPCAB would like the new proforma to be used for ALL new tutors; thank you for your support in this.

Venues and dates for standardisation training 2012-13

A reminder that centres must ensure that at least one experienced tutor and all new tutors attend a standardisation training session during the 2012/13 academic year. This is to ensure that they are assessing to a common standard. CPCAB would like to draw your attention to the following:

Tutors delivering only ICSK-L2 do not have to attend standardisation UNLESS they are delivering the course for the FIRST time and have not been standardised. Please note ICSK-L2 will only be covered during the morning session.  CPCAB will verify the tutor assessments of candidate portfolios during the routine EV visits. (Please note tutors only delivering ELSK, LSK & USM do not need to attend a standardisation training day).

Tutors not attending this academic year must receive ‘cascade’ training from the attending tutor(s).

Following the success of last year there will be one standardisation day in Birmingham on Saturday 6th October specific to the higher level qualifications 5+6. These levels will also briefly be covered in Northern Ireland.

There is no charge for standardisation training and lunch is provided; to be sure of getting a place at your most convenient venue by booking early.  Details of 2012/13 standardisation dates can be found below; please email jackie@cpcab.co.uk as soon as possible to secure your place.

A charge of £50 will be made to a centre for the non-attendance of a tutor who has booked a place and has not cancelled (a week before the training) or failed to attend on the day.

Location Venue Date
London School of Oriental and African Studies - Brunei Gallery - Russell Square campus Friday 14th September 2012
Qualification levels 2-4
New tutors
London School of Oriental and African Studies - Brunei Gallery - Russell Square campus Saturday 15th September 2012
Qualification levels 2-4
New tutors
Birmingham BVSC Friday 5th October 2012
Qualification levels 2-4
New tutors
Birmingham BVSC Saturday 6th October 2012
Qualification levels 5-6
New tutors
Bristol BAWA Saturday 10th November 2012
Qualification levels 2-4
New tutors
Northern Ireland Northern Regional College - Café Lamont Friday 23rd November 2012
Qualification levels 2-6
New tutors

Click on any of the venue names above to visit their website.

Model policy for malpractice/maladministration

One of the new requirements for centres operating within Ofqual’s General Conditions of Recognition (May 2011) is to have a written malpractice and maladministration policy. We have produced a model policy that you may find useful if you are currently working on your own centre’s policy; if you would find it helpful please email jackie@cpcab.co.uk or gill@cpcab.co.uk for a copy.

National careers service

The National Careers Service was launched by John Hayes MP on 5 April 2012 with the intention of ‘transforming careers advice’ by combining highly-trained advisers with an interactive website. The National Careers Service replaces Next Step, which has been providing careers advice for adults since August 2010 and its website is now live: nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk

The launch information suggests that telephone and on-line advice sessions will be available, as well as the face to face advice sessions in local communities. The service will also provide detailed sector-by-sector labour market information and have web-based tools such as a CV builder and a Skills Health Check for individuals to identify their skills, strengths and gaps.

Through the website people will be able to open a Lifelong Learning Account, which will give them clear information and advice on skills, careers and financial support in a single, personalised online space. Further information about the launch of the service can be found here.