Training Provider

If you offer an in-depth course of counselling training and can demonstrate the course meets our Training Standards please see below for our application process.

The NCPS values both qualitative and subjective aspects of counselling training, in addition to quantified tests based on appropriate standards. By considering both qualitative and quantitative aspects, the NCPS aims to ensure that the accredited courses provide a comprehensive and well-rounded education for future counsellors. This approach supports the development of ethical and proficient professionals in the field of counselling.

The overall determination for accreditation shall be whether the course under review will graduate counsellors who are safe, competent and ethical to practice.

• Safe - graduates can conduct counselling without causing harm to their clients
• Competent - graduates have the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively support their clients
• Ethical - graduates adhere to professional and ethical guidelines in their practice

Counsellors trained in these programs meet the requirements to provide effective and ethical counselling services.

Successful completion of an NCPS Accredited course is one of the routes to being accepted onto the Society's Register and becoming an Accredited Registrant Member.

As course accreditation can provide a route onto the Society's Accredited Register, applicants should be aware that this is a robust process which can take some months to complete.

1. If you wish to submit your course for assessment then we welcome you to contact us via standards@ncps.com to arrange an initial, informal discussion. This initial conversation will enable us to determine if the course would meet the Society’s training standards and therefore an application could be submitted.

2. Following the informal discussion, training providers should then complete and return the documents requested in the 'How to Apply for Course Recognition' section below.

You should, using these documents as a guide, clearly signpost with the specific page number(s) and document references, the places where your course meets the Society's Training Standards. Writing "see attached documents" or similar will delay your application.

There are a number of documents that are required to support your application and these are listed on the concluding page of the application form. Please note: ALL documents submitted must be page numbered, clearly labelled and submitted in lesson/module order.

Please send all required documents, along with the forms listed above, to the Society by electronic transfer(WeTransfer is the proposed and preferable method).

Assessment will commence following receipt of all documentation and full payment

If you are unable to submit your application electronically, please contact us for assistance at standards@ncps.com

1. The Society will review the materials sent to support your application and if necessary, will revert to you with any issues that need clarification or further consideration. If, after the document and application review, the Society believes your course to be suitable for accreditation, a site visit will be arranged. At the site visit the Society will go through relevant questions related to our standards in more depth and will take the opportunity to meet with staff and students and observe teaching and experiential work.

2. After the site visit our Professional Standards Committee will hold an Accreditation Panel meeting to decide on course accreditation. The committee may take the following action:

• Accredit the course with no further requirements
• Impose conditions before accreditation can be accepted
• Accredit the course with Action Points (steps the course provider must take within a reasonable time)
• Accredit the course with Learning Points (steps the course provider is advised to take)

3. Following the panel's decision and the fulfilment of any conditions, your course will be accredited, and you will be formally notified. Accreditation is subject to the course meeting all criteria and is renewed yearly. The Society may make further site visits and take other reasonable measures to ensure that the standards of accreditation continue to be met.

Fees

• £450 annually per course. In addition, a one-off assessment fee of £450 will be applied for the first payment.

Please note: assessment fees are non-refundable

Advanced Professional training courses are aimed at qualified practitioners, registered as Accredited Registrants (MNCPS Acc.) or equivalent, who wish to enhance their theoretical knowledge and clinical skills in order to evidence criteria required for Accredited Professional Registrant (PNCPS Acc) membership.

These post-qualifying courses enable trainees to evidence the competencies and guided learning/tutor contact hours required for this grade which is mapped to SCoPEd column B.
Fees
£250 annually per course. In addition, a one-off assessment fee of £250 will be applied for the first payment.

Please note: assessment fees are non-refundable

Advanced Specialist training courses are aimed at qualified and registered practitioners who wish to advance their learning and experience in particular fields of work.

The general criteria for this category recognition are listed below:

• The course will offer extensive support to practitioners in developing a specialist area of work by providing a solid grounding in clinical skills and theoretical knowledge for the specialism. For example, a course that focuses on working with Children and Young People, Relationship Therapy or Counselling Supervision
• It will normally contain at least 50 hours of live training in the room or a blend of such with synchronous online learning (Note: if a blended approach is taken, the majority of the course delivery will need to be 'in the room')
• It will include formal (summative) assessments which are acceptable to the NCPS. Examples of such can include but are not limited to, essays, case studies, examinations, presentations, supervised client hours etc
• It will normally need to have been completed by at least one cohort of students
• The course will be delivered by qualified practitioners who have significant experience in the specialist field being taught
• Providers must make it clear, in the publicity and on qualifications that courses with Advanced Specialist recognition do not provide a route to the NCPS Accredited Register

Training Providers must demonstrate a commitment to the NCPS Code of Ethics to support course recognition.

Fees

• £250 annually per course. In addition, a one-off assessment fee of £250 will be applied

Please note: assessment fees are non-refundable

For those courses which do not fully meet the requirements to become an Accredited course, the Society offers the opportunity to have the course Quality Checked. This type of course recognition can be considered for individual workshops, shorter foundation courses or CPD.

To apply for Quality Checked course recognition the course must have been completed by at least one cohort of students (*participant feedback may be required as part of the application process).

It must be made clear in all course materials and on course promotions (including any social media, website etc) that the completion of an NCPS Quality Checked course alone is not a route to the Accredited Register nor does it fully equip a participant/graduate to practice as a qualified counsellor.

Training Providers must demonstrate a commitment to the NCPS Code of Ethics to support course recognition.

Fees

• Up to 1 Day Face-to-Face: £100 annually per course. In addition, a one-off assessment fee of £100 will be applied
• Between 1 Day and 50 Face-to-face hours: £150 annually per course. In addition, a one-off assessment fee of £150 will be applied
• More than 50 Face-to-Face hours: £250 annually per course. In addition, a one-off fee of £250 will be applied

Please note: assessment fees are non-refundable

If you wish to apply for course recognition please complete and return the relevant forms below:

Accredited

i. Accredited Application Form

ii. Terms and Conditions

iii. Direct Debit Mandate

Advanced Professional

i. Advanced Professional Application Form

ii. Terms and Conditions

iii. Direct Debit Mandate

Advanced Specialist

i. Advanced Specialist Application Form

ii. Terms and Conditions

iii. Direct Debit Mandate

Quality Checked

i. Quality Checked Application Form

ii. Terms and Conditions

iii. Direct Debit Mandate

Qualifications

Tutors and course assessment staff are expected to have qualification levels of at least equal to, or higher than, the level, of course, being taught and assessed and should be able to demonstrate competency to deliver and/or assess all elements of the course. The same expectation applies to any specialisms taught.

Tutors should obtain some form of teaching, coaching and/or mentoring qualification

Practical Experience

Tutors on any counselling course are normally expected to have some practical experience in the field of counselling. Tutors on introduction courses or courses at, or equal to, Ofqual Level 2 and Level 3, who do not have experience in the field of counselling will need to evidence how they have familiarity of the practical application of the subject matter being taught.

Tutors teaching on courses of Ofqual Level 4 and above (or courses that are equivalent to Ofqual Level 4 and above) are expected to have at least three years of professional counselling experience post qualification. It is also desirable that tutors on such courses have previously obtained some form of teaching, coaching and/or mentoring experience before becoming tutors on such courses.

Tutors on courses that focus on specialisms (i.e. Working with Children and Young People; Supervision etc.) are expected to have significant experience in the specialist field being taught.

The training provider needs to be able to demonstrate the suitability of every staff member employed to provide training and/or assessment services should the Society request this.

Evidence

Evidence of appropriate qualifications and practical experience would need to be included on staff CVs.

We support counselling as a unique vocation - our members feel valued and supported. So can your students and graduates.

• We listen to what you have to say and we share ideas with all our members.
• Membership is treated like a partnership with the Society.
• We participated in all of the discussions relating to Government plans for voluntary registers.
• We achieved Accredited Register status with the Professional Standards Authority for the Society's Register.
• Belong to a body which gives you a direct voice in policy - make your voice heard.
• Friendly and knowledgeable team.
• You can offer the reassurance to your graduates that once they finish their studies they can be part of a credible and ethical professional association.
• You can offer Student Membership to all of your students which will give them access to the society\'s e-newsletters, and they will be able to apply to upgrade their membership once they finish their studies.
• Straightforward Application Process.
• Friendly, timely and transparent assessment of your courses.
• A dedicated officer of the Society to help with your application.
• The NCPS continues to grow and gain recognition.

Material Benefits

• You will be entitled to use the NCPS logo on your course materials and website.
• Your contact details will be displayed on the Society website which will promote your courses to prospective students.
• You will receive our monthly newsletter.
• Opportunity to submit course information and news to share with Society members