OFQUAL

Ofqual-regulated qualifications are overseen by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) in England. Ofqual is England’s main government-appointed regulatory body regulating school, college, and vocational qualifications in the UK. Ofqual ensures these qualifications meet high standards of quality and rigour, providing assurance they are recognised and respected by employers, educational institutions, and professional bodies. This oversight guarantees the qualifications maintain consistency, transparency, and credibility, meaning potential employers and organisations will have confidence in the individual’s skills and abilities, making them competitive candidates. They support professional development and compliance with industry standards, particularly in regulated fields such as healthcare, education, and public services. Ofqual-regulated qualifications are accepted abroad or can be easily converted to the country’s equivalent.

RQF

The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) is a system used in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales to categorise and regulate qualifications based on their level of difficulty and size. RQF is jointly regulated by England’s regulator Ofqual, Wales DCELLS, and Northern Ireland’s CCEA. The RQF ensures qualifications are standardised, making it easier for learners, employers, and educational institutions to understand the value and level of each qualification. The framework consists of nine levels, from Entry Level to Level 8, with each level indicating the complexity and depth of learning. For a qualification to be recognised as part of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), it must be created or approved by an awarding body that is acknowledged by one of the government-appointed regulatory bodies.

• Acquire essential counselling skills, such as active listening, empathy, and effective communication.
• Understand and apply ethical guidelines and professional boundaries in counselling, ensuring a safe and respectful environment.
• Identify and explain key counselling theories and approaches.
• Plan and conduct counselling sessions using appropriate techniques and approaches, adapting to the needs of individual clients..
• Engage in reflective practice, considering your own values, beliefs, and experiences, and how these impact your role as a counsellor.
• Develop trust and rapport through ethical and respectful interactions.

This course is suitable for those who wish to develop their counselling skills for use in work or in a personal capacity.

•  Counsellors
•  Support Workers
•  Healthcare Assistants
•  Mental Health Workers
•  Public sector employees
•  Voluntary and community workers

• There are no formal prerequisites. Learners over the age of 16 years are eligible to enrol for the course.
• Learners should have GCSE in English and Maths or a Level 2 qualification or equivalent.
• An intermediate ability to read and write English is recommended.

Upon the successful completion of the course, individuals will be awarded the Ofqual-regulated qualification of the Level 3 Award in Counselling Skills and Theory.

This course is assessed through written assignments, one for each unit, which are evaluated by an assessor at the end of each module. Importantly, this course doesn’t have exams. Here’s an overview of how you will be assessed throughout the course:

• Written Assignments: Each of the four units in this course requires you to complete a written assignment. Your assignments will be marked internally by an assessor.
• Assessor Feedback: Your personal tutor will provide detailed and constructive feedback on each assignment. This feedback is geared towards helping you meet the required standards and improve your performance where necessary.
• Portfolio of Evidence: Each week, you'll write a short reflection in your journal. This will help you think about what you've learned and your experiences. You can participate in role-play activities. You'll keep a record of this feedback to track your improvement and learning.
• Assessor Support: Throughout your studies, you will have comprehensive support from assessors through multiple channels, including telephone, WhatsApp, online discussions, email, and web chats.

For further details or any specific questions about the assessment process, please click the ‘Enquiry’ button below to get in touch with us.

This course takes approximately 2-4 months to complete, but can be extended, depending on your pace and availability. We offer unlimited support for up to 12 months. The Level 3 Award in Counselling Skills and Theory requires around 80 guided study hours, though this may vary based on your study time and understanding of the material.

After completing the Level 3 Award, you can advance to a Level 4 qualification. You also have the option to pursue a foundation degree or a bachelor’s degree in counselling skills or psychology.

Next Steps for a Possible Academic Progression Pathway:

• Foundation Degree in Counselling
• Bachelor’s Degree in Counselling, or Psychology
• Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Counselling
• Master’s Degree in Counselling or Psychotherapy

Alternative additional qualifications you can progress to;

• Level 3 Certificate in Workplace Mentoring
• Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
• Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Advice and Guidance

Advance Your Counselling Expertise

Completing the Level 3 Award in Counselling Skills and Theory at Global Edulink opens the door to rewarding career prospects in the health and social care and public services sectors. This qualification equips you with the foundational skills and knowledge to support individuals through their many challenges. Certificate holders can pursue entry-level roles in counselling within schools, community organisations, and healthcare settings. With more training and experience, there is potential to advance to roles like a professional counsellor or specialist counsellor. Additionally, the skills acquired through this course are highly transferable and beneficial in many other careers, including social work, youth work, mental health support, and human resources.

Here are some career prospects you can explore, along with the average UK salary per annum (approximately) according to Glassdoor.

• Counsellor – £50,000
• Assistant Counsellor – £45,000
• Healthcare Assistant – £45,000
• Helpline Operator – £45,000
• Mental Health Worker – £35,000

• From day one, we are committed to helping you succeed in your studies. You will be assigned a personal tutor who has extensive knowledge and experience in your chosen subject. Your tutor will assess your work, provide detailed feedback on your assessments, and offer valuable advice on how to improve. This guidance is designed to help you make the most of your course and continually develop your skills.
• In addition, our dedicated student support team is always on hand to offer advice and guidance. Whether you have questions about course materials or need help navigating our platform, support is just a click away, ensuring you have the resources you need throughout your learning journey.