Post Qualifying Diploma in Counselling Young People

Our Post Qualifying Diploma in Counselling Young People (8-18 years) addresses the majority of the BACP Competences for Humanistic Counselling with children and young people. 

• The Diploma focuses on work with young people and centres on the 8-18-year age group.
• It is designed for those counselling practitioners who are post-qualified but who need further specialist training to enable them to work competently with young people.
• The Diploma incorporates a mixture of summative and formative assessments, which have been adapted to meet our qualification, and as such students will be expected to successfully meet the assessment criteria aligned to the learning objectives of the three modules.
  • Overview of children and young people’s development​
  • Young people’s wellbeing ​
  • Proactive approaches for counselling children and young people

• It uses real life case studies to illustrate and bring to life the objectives of the course.​

• Highly interactive, giving each student the opportunity to work with their inner child / young person.​

• The course is steeped in creative and playful learning to reflect the child's language of play.

Eligibility:
To be eligible for this course you must:

• Already be a qualified, practising counsellor or psychotherapist, working within a recognised professional code of ethics.
• Be a member of a relevant professional body like the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) or the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
• Hold current professional indemnity insurance that covers your work as a practising counsellor or psychotherapist.

If you are interested in this course, you may wish to first book onto one of our Open Days or Open Evenings to find out more or email enquiries@ironmill.co.ukwith any specific enquiries.

Total Duration:

20 full days of tuition (across 8 months), plus substantial independent learning.   You must attend 17 out of the 20 in order to pass the attendence requirements for this course.

• Module 1: Overview of the Young Person’s Development. 
• Module 2: Young People’s Wellbeing 
• Module 3: Proactive Approaches for Counselling Young People 
• Skills Practices are included in all modules 

This course is assessed by a range of assessment types such as essay, patchwork and skills assessments.

Students will be required to undertake a minimum of 50 hours of clinical experience with CYP clients in a formally supervised placement. Should a student  wish to fulfil the supervised practice requirements via their private practice, they must already have had significant experience of working in a school, college or other relevant setting offering counselling to children. In addition, experienced supervision must be in place and the student, supervisor and training provider must confirm that the trainee is adhering to ethical working with particular reference to working within their area of competence.

Course Dates - please see the downloads section for the full timetable

Exeter

Starts 11th and 12th October 2025 from 10am-5pm

Poole

Starts 27th and 28th September 2025 from 10am-5pm

Courses commencing between 1st Jan'25 - 31st Dec'25: 

Option 1 (Total Payable £2,490.00):
An Enrolment Deposit of £500.00 (Non-Refundable) followed by one instalment of £1990.00.

Option 2 (Total Payable £2,640.00):
An Enrolment Deposit of £500.00 (Non-Refundable) followed by two instalments of £1070.00 (payable by direct debit)

Option 3: Bespoke payment plans (Total Payable £2,640.00):
In order to facilitate students, Iron Mill College has introduced bespoke payment plans which can be tailored to meet your specific needs. Please contact enquiries@ironmill.co.uk or call 01392 219200. 

Further information on fees:
Fees listed include VAT.

Applicants are invited to enrol by paying the Enrolment Deposit via the Booking Form on the website page (which shall be fully non-refundable in all circumstances) as well as submitting all application documents that can be found in your deposit payment confirmation email. The balance of course fees is payable as per the relevant schedule option above.  

The balance of course fees is payable as per the relevant schedule option above. All applicants should ensure they read and understand the Terms and Conditions of the Student Agreement and the Tuition Fee Contract Terms and Conditions  before applying and paying their Enrolment Deposit (Non-Refundable).

Tuition Fee Increases:
Tuition fees are reviewed in Autumn each year and are usually increased in line with CPI each January.

How to pay:
For initial course payments and deposits, you can pay online (credit/Debit card) by using the booking form on this web page. You can also pay all fees by credit / debit card, either in person at Iron Mill College in Exeter, or over the phone by calling 01392 219200. 

We also accept cash paid in person at Iron Mill College in Exeter, as well as cheques, which should be made out to 'Iron Mill College' and dropped in or sent to 'Iron Mill College, Morwenstow, 7 Barnfield Crescent, Exeter, Devon, EX1 1QT'. We can also accept payments by bank transfer and direct debit - please get in touch with us at 01392 219200 / enquiries@ironmill.co.uk for our bank details or a direct debit form. Please use your name as the reference when making such payments.

Additional expenses:
This will vary depending on your own circumstances, but all applicants must make sure they fully understand the additional expense requirements they will need to undertake during this course. Iron Mill College is unable to contribute to any of these additional costs; they are met by the student. These costs may include:

• Travel and boarding costs.
• Purchase of books.
• Supervision that meets your governing body requirements.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: approximately £35-£90 per year. Discounts are available from some insurers for BACP members and monthly payment options are usually available.

Course commencement:
Please note: Iron Mill College makes every effort to avoid altering course times, course commencement and conclusion dates. However, should any changes be necessary, you will be notified at the earliest opportunity. All courses run subject to demand and the formation of a viable class cohort, based on the enrolment of a minimum number of successful applicants. A full refund of course fees paid, including any deposit, will be given to all applicants in the event that a course does not proceed and at least 14 days’ notice (prior to the advertised course start date) will be given to applicants, in the event of a course cancellation or postponement. The college cannot be held liable for any remedy, damages or compensation beyond this.

How to apply:
You can apply by submitting the following documents and items:

• Your £500 Enrolment Deposit (Non-Refundable) to reserve your place by using our 'Booking Form' on this website page. A confirmation email will be sent to the email address that you have provided as proof of purchase. Please check the confirmation email to click on the application form link to complete and process your application. Payments can also be made by contacting us. 
• If you require assistance in completing your application, please contact enquiries@ironmill.co.uk. 

Successful applicants will be offered a place on the course once all of the above application documents have been received and the Enrolment Deposit paid.

Final Application Date: 
The deadline for applications is 4 weeks before the start of the course. A decision will be made on whether the course will run, based on confirmed and accepted places, 4 weeks before the start date of the course. 

Any applications received after the 4 week deadline will only be processed at the discretion of the Programmes Lead / Course Lead. 

Heather Jenkin MBACP ​

Qualifications:​

​BSc (Hons), MA, DipSW, PG Dip Play and  Creative Arts Therapy (Accredited), Diploma Creative Clinical Supervision, Diploma Creative CBT, DDP Level 1 and 2, Advanced Diploma Transpersonal Therapy.​

Heather originally trained as a social worker at  Exeter University and went on to specialise  as a child and adolescent therapist. She has over 20 years’ experience in working with  children who have experienced complex  developmental trauma. 

As well as lecturing for the Iron Mill, Heather runs her own practice where she offers to children and adolescents, adults and DDP informed therapy to chiildren and carers. Heather also  provides clinical supervision to other  therapists.

​Delena Ritter  

Qualifications: 

MA Counselling Children and Young People, (CCYP).  BA Psychology/English.  P.G. Dip Counselling.  P.G. Dip Supervision (NSC accredited),  P.G. Dip Systemic Counselling and Family Therapy.  P.G. Dip Early Years Education, Primary Teachers Diploma (PTD).

Delena’s background is in education. She trained initially as a primary school teacher and her teaching experience extends from nursery school through the primary key stages and comprehensive sector to further and higher education. She has taught on the BTEC Diploma in Health and Care, the Cache diploma, the Access to Higher Education programme and AQA counselling courses, which she also managed.a.

Delena’s initial counselling training was integrative and she then specialised in working with children and young people.  Alongside her lecturing role she currently works as a school counsellor in a primary school setting and supervises counselling students on placement. She has previously also worked for a variety of agencies including domestic abuse, substance misuse and working with families with a substance user. Her professional interests are varied and include language in educational environments and its impact, early learning environments and the opportunity for therapeutic play, and working creatively in counselling.

"The tutor  is just incredible, her knowledge and experience is just a gift, she has the right paced energy and passion for working as a therapist and teacher.  She held and supported the group through beautifully and brought so much fun to the learning.  I couldn't recommend this course, teacher and Ironmill enough."  Serena, 2022 Graduate 

"I have been inspired by the Children and Young People Counselling course -Tutored by Heather Jenkin. She contained and supported us in exploring our creative counselling skills and helped us/ me to step outside our comfort zone - excellent skills. Thank you Heather for holding the group through our journey. Heather used the up-to-date brain development through the baby to young person's years to give a firm foundation to explore how attachment and the child's relationships with others impact on their lives. I would highly recommend Heather as a tutor and the Children and Young People Course." Sandra, 2022 Graduate 

What is the attendance requirement?:
20 full days of tuition, plus substantial independent learning.  You must attend 17 out of the 20 in order to pass the attendence requirements for this course.

How much time does this course involve each week?:
We require you to have a personal commitment to your own learning, which includes reading and self-directed study outside of your contact time with Iron Mill College. This allows time to prepare for assignments, consolidate learning, and broaden your individual knowledge and understanding of the course material. You should therefore be prepared to study as follows:

• 20 days of teaching (usually spread over 8 months)
• Approximately 2 hours per week reading
• Approximately 2-4 hours per week working towards the assignments.

Are there any additional costs?:
Your fee is inclusive of assessments, tuition, certificates, course materials, creative materials, online learning platform, plus free of charge use of our IMC online library and hard copy library (general texts on counselling/psychotherapy). The handbook is available in an electronic format.

You will need to budget separately for:

• Cost of your supervision
• Cost of core books you may wish to buy
• Travel/accommodation/ parking costs if applicable
• Stationery
• Regular and reliable access to a pc/ tablet or similar

If you have any further questions, please contact our friendly enquiries team who will be happy to help you further.