Counselling in the School Setting

Includes

Presenters

About This Course

The Humanitas Specialisation in Counselling in the School Setting serves as a comprehensive training course designed to empower school counsellors, specialist wellness counsellors, social workers, and teachers with the expertise needed to effectively support students’ academic, emotional, social, and behavioural needs within a school environment.

Our program, compiled and presented by various specialists in the field, covers an array of essential topics, including counselling theories and techniques tailored for school settings, the development of robust counselling programs, legal and ethical considerations, and strategies for engaging with diverse student populations.

The course is designed as a self-paced study programme, allowing delegates to embark on this journey part-time. After completing the theoretical component, delegates will be required to attend three online interactive supervision sessions, scheduled on a monthly basis for in-depth case discussions.

Please note:

Although we will touch on some aspects of special educational needs, this course is aimed at those working in mainstream school settings, and you will not be trained as a special needs counsellor.

Course Outline

Throughout the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:

• Understanding the Role and Responsibilities of a School Counsellor: Gain insight into the multifaceted role of school counsellors and their unique responsibilities.
• Scope of Practice: Differentiate between the roles of counsellors and social workers within a school context.
• Counselling Theories and Techniques: Acquire knowledge of various counselling theories and techniques applicable to school settings, enhancing effectiveness in supporting students.
• Program Development and Interventions: Develop effective counselling programs and interventions tailored to students’ needs, fostering holistic support.
• Short-term, Goal-directed Counselling: Master the skills required to conduct short-term, goal-directed counselling sessions with learners, optimizing outcomes.
• Legal and Ethical Considerations: Navigate legal and ethical considerations in school counselling, including handling feedback, case notes, and reports with integrity.
• Facilitating Disclosure: Gain insights into ethically facilitating a child’s disclosure, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for students to express themselves.
• Working with Diverse Student Populations: Acquire skills for working with diverse student populations and those with special educational needs, promoting inclusivity and equity.
• Primary vs. High School Settings: Understand the nuances of counselling in primary versus high school settings, tailoring approaches accordingly.
• Collaboration and Communication: Enhance collaboration and communication with school staff, parents, and external agencies, fostering a cohesive support network.
• Crisis Intervention and Prevention: Learn crisis intervention and prevention strategies specific to school environments, ensuring timely and effective support during challenging situations.

By the end of this course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate the complexities of school counselling, making a profound difference in the lives of students and the broader school community. Join us on this journey to transform counselling practice in educational settings.

Minimum requirements:

• NQF level 7 in any relevant field (i.e. Psychology degree, Social work degree, Theology degree, Education, PGCE)
• Other interested persons with NQF level 7 qualifications can apply, and such application will be evaluated by a panel based on prior knowledge and experience, should tertiary fields not be listed above.

Important Information Regarding Registration and Scope

Please note: Completion of this course does not qualify participants for registration as a counsellor with any professional body. It is intended to equip individuals who are already working in a school setting with practical skills to better handle situations that may arise when engaging with learners in a counselling-related manner.

This course is designed for professionals already working within educational environments, providing practical tools to enhance their engagement with learners. It is not intended to lead to a qualification or the professional title of ‘School Counsellor.’

Structure Of The Course

The Counselling in a School Setting course is designed to be completed as a part-time specialization course, that can be completed with ease whilst being employed. The course stretches over a six-month period, which includes both a theoretical component as well as supervision opportunities to implement knowledge learned into practice.

• The course will be presented as online-interactive sessions as well as self-paced pre-recorded videos, that can be viewed at own pace.
• Delegates will have a period of 3 months to work through material provided, with online quizzes, assignments for submission as well as one interactive contact session on TEAMS.
• After completion of the three month theoretical period, delegates will have three supervision opportunities, hosted once monthly.

Difference Between the Play-Based Intervention Specialisation and the Counselling in the School Setting Course

Play-Based Intervention (PBI) Course vs. Counselling in the School Setting Course:

1. Focus and Scope:

• Play-Based Intervention Course: Focuses on using play as a therapeutic intervention to help children express their emotions and process experiences. Play-based intervention involves long-term counselling/therapy with children, typically in private practices or specialized therapy centres.
• Counselling in the School Setting Course: Broadly addresses the academic, career, social, and emotional needs of students in schools. It equips individuals to offer short-term counselling and referrals, addressing student well-being in an educational setting, with a focus on academic support, crisis intervention, and social skills development.

2. Target Population:

• Play-Based Intervention Course: Focuses specifically on working with children aged 3 to 12, addressing emotional, behavioural, or developmental issues.
• Counselling in the School Setting Course: Covers a wider age range, from early childhood to adolescence, and focuses on helping students navigate academic, social, and emotional challenges in a school environment.

3. Skills and Techniques:

• Play-Based Intervention Course: Teaches specialized techniques such as symbolic play and sand tray, focusing on long-term therapeutic intervention.
• Counselling in the School Setting Course: Focuses on academic advisement, career guidance, crisis intervention, and individual/group counselling within the school setting, offering short-term support rather than long-term therapy.

4. Professional Role and Setting:

• Play-Based Intervention Course: Graduates often work in counselling or therapeutic settings (private practices, mental health clinics), specializing in working with children through play-based techniques.
• Counselling in the School Setting Course: Graduates work in schools, offering emotional and academic support. They are part of the educational team, working with teachers, parents, and administrators to support students’ well-being.

While both courses emphasize valuable counselling techniques, this course will not lead to any formal qualification or registration as a counsellor.

Disclaimer:

This course will not lead to any formal qualification or registration as a counsellor.

Those already working in school environments will gain valuable tools to enhance their ability to support students, but this is not a pathway to becoming a registered school counsellor.