Counselling Studies and Working With Children, Young People and Families BA (Hons)

Students are introduced to counselling and counselling related skills and professions in the UK including the range of settings in which helping takes place professionally. The programme also introduces students to social science understandings of key concepts such as childhood and family and explores the ways in which these terms have contested meanings. In Counselling Studies the programme is underpinned by a sound understanding of ethics related to counselling approaches and the ways in which ethics needs to be embedded in practice. The study of counselling begins with a focus on Humanistic and Psychodynamic counselling approaches and skills. In the Working with Children, Young People and Families element of the programme students are introduced to ideas around the social construction of attitudes to children, young people and families and social policy issues that shape the working agenda around children, young people and families.

In the second year, students will gain a deeper understanding of research methods and develop the skills and knowledge to prepare them to engage ethically and effectively in their own research or work-based projects. In doing this, students have the choice of two research-focussed modules: either led by Counselling studies, or by Working with Children, Young People and Families. In Counselling Studies, the programme builds on the introduction to theories with an exploration of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Students then develop their competence in the use of basic counselling skills through an introductory counselling skills module. This is positioned alongside modules in Working with Children, Young People and Families that examine ideas around discrimination, working in partnership “with” children, developing understanding and analysis of disability, and developing effective relationships for working with young people. Students will have the opportunity to apply and explore knowledge within a work-based context, through the mode of workplace learning.

In the final year, module options are intended to broaden and deepen critical thinking around Counselling Studies and Working with Children, Young People and Families and prepare students for employment or further study. The dissertation modules and the negotiated work-based project provide students with the opportunity to select an area of interest to them within the field of Counselling Studies or Working with Children Young People and Families. Students opting to do one of the dissertation modules can choose between EITHER an in-depth empirical research project which they design, plan and execute OR a literature review with systematic methodology and narrative synthesis.

Module options enable students to select an area of interest or make module choices to support their career aspirations. For example, the module ‘Therapeutic approaches to supporting children and families’ provides an insight into therapeutic work with different client groups and systems. In Counselling Studies, the ‘Applied CBT’ module further develops students’ understanding of how to apply cognitive behavioural approaches to practice, and critically reflect upon more recent third wave cognitive behavioural concepts. Other options in Counselling Studies  include Mindfulness based approaches to wellbeing; Bereavement and loss; Coaching and mentoring; Working with addictions.

In Working with Children, Young People and Families, students can select from a range of option modules relevant to different potential career choices. These include Safeguarding and child protection; Working creatively with children, young people and families; Working in partnership with organisations and communities; Developing anti-oppressive practice; Children, young people and adults with care experience; Working with families facing violence and harm.