Ask the Expert: Training youth workers as counsellors

We have decided to train some of our youth workers as counsellors so that they can help our young people with emotional and personal problems. Where is the best place to train and how could we fund it?

There are two ways of approaching this. First, you need to decide whether you are training staff to be counsellors per se or just want them to acquire counselling skills. I would be reluctant to recommend the former as it not only requires a minimum three-year course but could also subsequently make it difficult, and possibly unethical, for them to work with young people as a youth worker as well as a counsellor. There is a conflict of interest in working confidentially as a counsellor and then having to work informally with the same young people as a youth worker.

Developing effective counselling skills is a different matter altogether. The fundamental skills and techniques around listening and responding appropriately to young people can be learned and applied in everyday life. You could consider running in-house counselling skills training courses, or send selected team members on specially accredited courses. These courses are available across the country.

Tracie Trimmer-Platman is senior lecturer in youth and community work at the University of East London. Email your workplace dilemmas to asktheexpertywn@hotmail.co.uk