Place2Be launches new pioneering Level 4 Diploma in School-Based Child Counselling

Our new Level 4 Diploma in School-Based Child Counselling, starting in August 2023, will give students the opportunity to qualify as a child and young person’s counsellor in 12 months.

This new course will include a placement in a Place2Be partner school, and students will graduate equipped to work therapeutically in a school environment with children and young people, and to deliver a whole-school approach to mental health.

NHS data published in November 2022 shows that 1 in 6 children have a probable mental health condition, a statistic that has not improved since last year. However, despite government commitments, under the current plans 65% of schools in England will not be covered by NHS Mental Health Support Teams. And while Place2Be and other practitioners continue to fill the gap, we are keen to address the need for more specialist child counsellors.

Through this training, you could qualify as a child and young person’s counsellor in 12 months and embark on an incredibly rewarding career working therapeutically with children.

Financial bursary packages of up to £23,000 available

As part of our efforts to grow the children’s mental health workforce and make the Level 4 Qualification as accessible as possible, we are also offering full financial bursary packages for up to 10 eligible students. If you're passionate about training to work therapeutically with children and young people but, due to financial needs, might otherwise struggle to fund this level of training, the bursary scheme is here to support you.

To apply for a bursary, applicants must show that they have an annual household income of less than £35,000, as well as meeting the course entry requirements. This financial support will cover the full course fees, as well as provide financial support of up to £23,000 throughout the 12-month course.

Whether you’re at the start of your career journey, or looking to change careers, this Level 4 Qualification is a vital step in working as a counsellor with children. Applications have opened today.

Find out more about our Level 4 Diploma in School-Based Child Counselling