Therapy North

CYP-L5 · CPCAB · Post-qualifying

Level 5 Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People

A specialist post-qualifying diploma for counsellors who want to extend their practice to work with children, young people and families.

Express your interest

  • Level

    Post-qualifying

  • Cost

    £1,800

  • Next intake

    September 2026

  • Guided learning hours

    120

  • Delivery

    Face-to-face, Tynemouth

  • Minimum age

    19

Who this course is for

Specialist CYP training for qualified counsellors

You are already a qualified counsellor. This diploma gives you the specialist knowledge, skills and professional recognition to extend your work to children and young people — opening up roles in schools, CAMHS-adjacent settings, youth organisations and private practice with this age group.

CYP counselling training in the North East is in real demand. Schools, colleges and agencies across Newcastle, Tynemouth and the wider region are actively looking for counsellors with formally recognised post-qualifying CYP training. As a qualified practitioner, this course gives you the credentials those settings ask for.

You will not be relearning the basics. The course assumes you know how to hold a therapeutic relationship with adults — and builds the developmental, safeguarding, relational and contextual specialism that working with under-18s requires.

Career routes

What this qualification opens up

  • Counsellor employed by a school or college
  • Counsellor in an agency specialising in children and young people
  • Private counsellor working with schools and youth settings
  • Adult counsellor extending practice to cover this age range
  • Youth worker or outreach worker with adolescents

Curriculum

What you will study

  • Developmental psychology across childhood and adolescence
  • Child protection and safeguarding in counselling practice
  • Working with parents
  • carers and schools
  • Specialist therapeutic approaches for young people
  • including creative methods
  • Ethical considerations specific to working with under-18s
  • Supervised CYP client work and reflective casework

Entry requirements

Is this course right for you?

  • Must hold Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling or equivalent
  • Or meet recognition of prior learning criteria — get in touch to discuss
  • Minimum age 19

About the qualification

A specialist post-qualifying diploma

  • Awarded and certificated by CPCAB
  • Specialist post-qualifying diploma in CYP counselling
View our CPCAB centre listing

Where you will train

House Seven, Tynemouth

All face-to-face teaching takes place at House Seven, 7 Livingstone View, Tynemouth NE30 2PL — a calm, professional wellness centre that is also home to our therapist team.

Two minutes from Tynemouth Metro and the sea, with free street parking nearby.

More about House Seven →

Frequently asked

Your questions, answered

Do I need to hold the Level 4 from Therapy North specifically?
No. The Level 5 Diploma is open to anyone holding a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (or equivalent qualifying counselling diploma) from any CPCAB or comparable awarding body. We welcome counsellors trained elsewhere into our Level 5 cohort.
What recognition of prior learning options are available?
If you hold a related qualification or have substantial counselling experience that does not exactly match a Level 4 Diploma — for example a counselling degree, BACP-recognised equivalent, or significant supervised practice — get in touch. We assess RPL applications individually and will be honest about whether Level 5 is the right fit for you.
How does this qualification affect my existing BACP membership?
Your existing BACP registration is unaffected. The Level 5 Diploma adds a specialist CYP qualification on top of your generalist counselling registration — strengthening your professional profile and opening up CYP roles that often require this specific training.
What roles does Level 5 qualify me for?
Counsellors with Level 5 CYP training work in school and college counselling services, CYP-focused agencies and charities, CAMHS-adjacent settings, youth organisations, and private practice serving children, adolescents and families. Many also extend their existing adult practice to cover this age range.
Can I take Level 5 while still seeing adult clients?
Yes — most students do. The course is designed as part-time post-qualifying training, and continuing your adult practice while you study supports your wider clinical development. You will need to plan supervised CYP placement hours alongside your existing caseload.
How intensive is the course?
Level 5 is a focused 120 guided-learning-hour qualification with associated supervised CYP placement, personal therapy and reflective study. It is shorter than Level 4 but expects more of you — you are building specialist skills on top of an existing professional foundation.
Where does the training take place?
All teaching takes place face-to-face at House Seven, 7 Livingstone View, Tynemouth, North Shields, NE30 2PL — a professional wellness centre two minutes from Tynemouth Metro and the sea.

Not yet qualified? Start with the Level 4 Diploma →

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Register your interest

Express your interest in the Level 5 Diploma

Places for September 2026 are limited. Register your interest now and we will be in touch with full details.

Submitting this form does not commit you to anything — it simply lets us know you are interested so we can send you course details and answer any questions.