BACP Approved PDA in Counselling Children and Young People (11 to 18)

If you’re a qualified counsellor ready to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people, this is the next step in your journey.

Our PDA in Counselling Children and Young People is a specialist qualification designed to equip you with the advanced skills, knowledge and confidence to work safely, ethically, and effectively with clients aged 11 to 18. Delivered by experienced tutors and aligned with BACP standards, this course opens the door to deeper, more impactful practice.

Why choose this qualification?

• BACP Approved Qualification: Jointly certificated by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
• Focused and Practical: Designed specifically for working with children and young people, including a mandatory supervised placement of 50 hours.
• Ethically Grounded: Mapped to the BACP Ethical Framework, BACP Counselling Children and Young People Competence Framework and Training Curriculum (11–18 years).
• Career Enhancing: Supports progression toward BACP accreditation and expands your client base and employment opportunities.

What you will learn

This PDA is designed to deepen your confidence and competence in supporting the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people aged 11 to 18. Throughout the course, you will:

Understand the Ethical and Legal Landscape

• Apply the BACP Ethical Framework and the Counselling Children and Young People Competence Framework.
• Navigate issues of consent, confidentiality, safeguarding and professional boundaries.
• Understand how organisational and legal contexts affect counselling practice with young clients.

Develop Advanced Communication Skills

• Adapt your counselling approach to match the developmental needs of young clients.
• Build effective therapeutic relationships that foster trust, resilience and emotional safety.
• Use appropriate contracting and goal setting for this client group.

Explore Key Theoretical Perspectives

• Integrate theories of human development and attachment in your work.
• Reflect on the impact of systemic, cultural and social factors on young people’s mental health.
• Evaluate how counselling theory supports emotional growth and change in young clients.

Critically Reflect on Your Professional Growth

• Examine your own values, biases and areas for development as a practitioner.
• Engage meaningfully with supervision and feedback from tutors and peers.
• Develop a personalised action plan for future practice and continued professional development.

Course structure

You will study two integrated units:

1. Ethics and Professional Standards
Explore key ethical, legal and professional frameworks for working with young people, including safeguarding, risk management, and organisational contexts.

2. Safe and Competent Practice
Build on your existing skills with theory-informed practice, and 50 hours of supervised counselling with children and young people.

Course entry requirements

This course is ideal for counsellors who:

• Completed a recognised counselling diploma at SCQF Level 8 or above, which must have included a mandatory 100hrs of supervised practice as part of the course.
• Are a current registered member with BACP, COSCA or an equivalent professional body.
• Hold a valid PVG for working with children and young people.

When your application has been reviewed by our training team, if successful, you will be invited to take part in an informal chat via telephone so a place can be offered.

Assessment

Assessments include a combination Assessment is practice-based and supportive, using methods such as:

• Written academic essays
• Reflective evaluations
• Placement logbook signed by your supervisor and mentor
• A readiness-for-practice process that prepares you for therapeutic work with young people

Course dates and delivery

Participants are expected to attend 12 weeks of in-person classroom-based learning before commencing the required 50 hours of supervised practice with children and young people.

Those with prior experience in counselling children and young people are still expected to complete all aspects of the course and may not begin counting their practice hours until the 12-week programme is completed.

This 12-day in-person course takes place weekly on Wednesdays.