Information for Counselling Centres
Counselling Qualifications Update
ABC’s Counselling qualifications have an accreditation end date of 31st December 2010.
We have been engaged with Skills for Health (the Sector Skills Council responsible for Counselling) for the past 12 months concerning the transition of counselling qualifications to the new Qualifications and Credit framework.
They have been conducting research looking at the Counselling landscape, its terms, its scope etc. and the potential for identifying learning pathways. These pathways might equate to a career development plan for individuals wishing to study toward full specialist areas of counselling with stepping off points to roles along that pathway. To help us in this endeavour the SSC engaged Consultants whose remit is to produce a report late December 2009.
At the same time the consultation has been taking place regarding the HPC proposals, which elicited an unprecedented response.
ABC along with all other Awarding Bodies offering qualifications in Counselling has become increasingly concerned about the short timescale that we are all facing regarding this migration to the QCF and that no constructive progress has been made on a shared unit development approach. From past experience, we know that the process of producing shared units is a lengthy one and we believe it would be very difficult to come up with agreed shared units in time for centres to be able to plan provision from next September. This presents a real danger of a lack of continuity of provision.
We have all expressed this concern to Skills for Health, and have pointed out that any amendments to provision would need to take into account the external environment relating to Counselling which at present holds a lot of unknowns. We have got agreement from them that each Awarding Body will migrate its own qualifications onto the QCF as soon as possible to ensure continuity of provision whilst we await the outcome of the regulation issue.
This means that ABC will soon begin work on this redevelopment with a view to gaining accreditation for our L2, L3 and L4 qualifications on the QCF by April 2010 at the latest.
We have agreed with Skills for Health that when external issues are clearer, we can then work with them and other Awarding Bodies to produce new qualifications to meet the new challenges which will face Counselling.
For up to date information, keep looking on our web site
Posted 2.12.09
Latest News
Level 3 & 4 Foundation Diplomas in Art, Design & Media Now Approved on the QCF
ABC is pleased to announce that its Level 3 and 4 Foundation Diplomas are now approved on the QCF and will appear in the LSC April 2010 list for an August 2010 delivery. The accreditation end date for these qualifications is now 31.12.2012. The guided learning hours for both qualifications have been increased from 600 hours to 720 hours.
FAD/QCF More ...
Posted 18.3.10
ABC Gains Ofqual Recogition as a QCF Awarding Organisation
ABC has been fully recognised by Ofqual as a QCF awarding organisation. This means that it is now able to extend the accreditation life of current QCF qualifications beyond December 2010. ABC will be working with relevant SSCs to extend all current QCF provision as quickly as possible.
All new qualifications will be recognised for the QCF and will be approved beyond December 2010. ABC intends to replace the majority of its remaining NQF qualifications with updated provision on the QCF as soon as possible. All plans are subject to SSC approval and timescales. Posted 4.2.10
Counselling Qualifications Update
ABC’s Counselling qualifications have an accreditation end date of 31st December 2010.
We have been engaged with Skills for Health (the Sector Skills Council responsible for Counselling) for the past 12 months concerning the transition of counselling qualifications to the new Qualifications and Credit framework.
They have been conducting research looking at the Counselling landscape, its terms, its scope etc. and the potential for identifying learning pathways. These pathways might equate to a career development plan for individuals wishing to study toward full specialist areas of counselling with stepping off points to roles along that pathway. To help us in this endeavour the SSC engaged Consultants whose remit is to produce a report late December 2009.
Counselling update continued....
Posted 2.12.09
Customised Provision
Throughout 2009/2010 ABC will be reviewing its accredited and customised provision and migrating suitable provision onto the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). Provision that is not suitable for migration onto the QCF will be required to be updated in accordance with current approval requirements, and submitted for re-approval.
The approval period for all current ABC Customised Provision Programmes will therefore end on 31st December 2010. Centres offering Customised Provision Programmes will be contacted individually in due course. Posted 26.8.09
Upcoming Events at ABC Awards
Art, Design & Creative Industries Launch Events
ABC Awards will be holding events in March 2010, across the country to launch its new suite of qualifications in the Art, Design and Creative Industries sector.
Health & Social Care Update & Information Events - June 2010
Covering qualifications in: Youth Work, Vulnerable Young People, Counselling, Reflexology, Child Care. Dates: 15th, 17th, 23rd and 29th June.
Go to Conference & Events page for further information and booking forms.
Qualifications Directory 2009-2010
Examination Officers Guide 2009-10
Alpha Newsletter Winter 2009
Annual Review 2009
