What qualifications are needed?
Youth counsellors should undertake a post-graduate diploma course in counselling. They can then specialise with an MA or PhD, or take part in the one-, two- and six-day training courses offered by Youth Access, which are accredited by the University of East London to masters level. Catherine Wilson, national development manager for youth counselling services at Youth Access, says youth counsellors can "often feel isolated in the wider therapeutic environment that tends to divide along children and adult services lines". Training courses give them a chance to meet face to face and share best practice.
A survey carried out by the Children's Workforce Development Council and Youth Access in 2008 found that nearly three-quarters of youth counsellors held a counselling degree or diploma. The remainder held counselling certificates, postgraduate counselling diplomas, psychology degrees or qualifications in areas such as psychotherapy. Trainee counsellors are expected to undergo therapy themselves.
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