Description
NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills
- £451
- *Prices shown are all-inclusive of VAT—no extra charges!
- Priority Track option available
Why Study with us?
- Priority-track assessments and workbook marking
- For support workers, care and education staff, volunteers and aspiring counsellors
- Flexible, self-paced study – most learners finish in 6–9 months
- Courses designed and assessed by subject-qualified industry trainers and assessors
- One-to-one live sessions (if desired) with expert tutors
Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills Course Overview
The NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills is an Ofqual-regulated qualification for people who want to use counselling skills with confidence in their work or volunteering, or who are exploring a future in counselling. It develops the listening, empathy and helping skills used in supportive conversations, alongside the theory and ethics behind them. It is important to know that it does not qualify you to practise as a counsellor: it builds skills you can use in a helping role and prepares you for professional counselling training.
Across five mandatory units you will learn how to establish, develop and end a helping relationship using counselling skills, and practise those skills in role-play sessions. You will study the core concepts of humanistic, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural approaches and what is meant by an integrative model, work with ethical frameworks and ethical referral, explore discrimination, diversity and power in the counselling process, and reflect on your own personal development. If you are new to counselling skills, you may prefer to start with our Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, although it is not an entry requirement.
Career Opportunities and Progression after the Counselling Skills Diploma
Counselling skills are valuable in any role where people share difficulties with you. NCFE lists roles such as support worker in supported living, healthcare support worker, clinical healthcare support worker, mental health support worker, information, advice and guidance worker, and health education or health promotion worker. The diploma also suits teaching assistants, pastoral staff, youth workers, HR staff, managers and helpline volunteers who want to listen and respond more effectively. It does not guarantee a job, and roles in health and care have their own entry requirements.
If you want to become a counsellor, the usual next step is a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, which includes supervised practice with clients and is offered by specialist counselling training providers. Entry requirements vary, and some providers ask for a specific Level 3 counselling studies qualification or an interview, so check before you apply. NCFE also lists the Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Advice and Guidance as a route, and you could deepen related knowledge with the NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems.
Do I need a work placement to complete this course?
No. You do not need a work placement or real clients. You do need to show your counselling skills in practice, so some criteria in Units 01 and 02 are assessed through role-play (skills practice) sessions in which you use counselling skills with a practice partner, supported by a witness testimony from your tutor or assessor. Because the course is online, these sessions take place over a video call or are recorded for your tutor to assess, so you will need a webcam, a microphone and a quiet, private space. Your tutor will explain how to arrange skills practice when you reach these units.
There are no exams. You build a portfolio of evidence that is internally assessed by your tutor and externally quality assured by NCFE. Most criteria are assessed through written assignments, case studies and reflective accounts, and you will create your own personal development plan. The practical criteria – establishing, developing and ending a helping relationship and applying theory when you use counselling skills – are assessed through observed or recorded role-play sessions, supported by a witness testimony. The qualification is graded Achieved or Not Yet Achieved. Assignments are marked within 3–5 working days, or 1–3 working days on Priority Track.
You complete all five mandatory units (40 credits).
Unit 01: Developing Counselling Skills
Unit 02: Theoretical Approaches in the Use of Counselling Skills
Unit 03: Working Ethically with Counselling Skills
Unit 04: Counselling Skills and Diversity
Unit 05: Counselling Skills and Personal Development
The Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills has 270 guided learning hours (GLH) and a total qualification time (TQT) of 400 hours. Study is self-paced, and most learners complete it in 6–9 months; plan ahead for your skills practice sessions, as these need to be scheduled. Your enrolment includes 12 months’ access to the learning platform and unlimited tutor support; if you need more time after that, access can be extended for a re-enrolment fee.
Qualification Number: 600/0727/8
NCFE is an Awarding Organisation regulated by Ofqual, ensuring that all qualifications adhere to rigorous standards.
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Standard One Time Purchase
Make a single payment, and you're all set to begin your learning journey.
£451*inc. VAT
- OfQual-approved qualification
- 24/7 access to LMS and unlimited tutor support
- Transparent pricing, no hidden charges
- Start when you're ready with a full year of access.
- Unlimited revisions
- Receive feedback within 3 – 5 working days
Standard Monthly
Spread the cost of £518.64 (inc. VAT) with convenient monthly payments over 6 months.
£86.44*inc. VAT
per month
Priority Track One Time Purchase
Make a single payment, and you're all set to begin your learning journey.
£519*inc. VAT
- OfQual-approved qualification
- 24/7 access to LMS and unlimited tutor support
- Transparent pricing, no hidden charges
- Start when you're ready with a full year of access.
- Unlimited revisions
- Receive feedback within 1 – 3 working days
Priority Track Monthly
Spread the cost of £596.82 (inc. VAT) with convenient monthly payments over 6 months.
£99.47*inc. VAT
per month
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Take advantage of a 30-day payment term when buying 5 or more courses. Please note that an upfront payment will be required unless you are a regular buyer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills develops counselling skills and knowledge, and NCFE states clearly that it does not qualify learners to practise as a counsellor. To work as a counsellor you need further professional training, usually a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling or higher, which includes supervised practice with clients.
The Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills is for anyone aged 16 or over who uses, or wants to use, counselling skills in a helping role – support workers, health and care staff, teaching assistants and pastoral staff, youth workers, managers, HR staff and volunteers. It also suits people considering a career in counselling who want to build skills and theory before professional training.
Yes. We deliver this level 3 counselling course online, so you study the theory and complete written assignments through our learning platform at your own pace. Your skills practice sessions also take place online, over a video call or by recording, so you never need to attend a classroom. You will need a reliable internet connection, a webcam and microphone, and a private space for practice sessions.
No. There are no formal entry requirements, although NCFE notes that learners may find it helpful to have a Level 2 qualification. If you are completely new to counselling skills, the Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills gives you a gentler start.
You will learn how to establish, develop and conclude a helping relationship using counselling skills; the core concepts of humanistic, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural approaches and the integrative model; how ethical frameworks apply to the use of counselling skills, including ethical referral; how discrimination, diversity and power can affect the counselling process; and how to reflect on and plan your own personal development.
You must be aged 16 or over. No previous qualifications are required, although a Level 2 qualification can help. The course involves practising skills in role-play and reflecting on your own values and experiences, so you should be comfortable taking part in personal development work. You will also need a webcam and microphone for skills practice.
No. There are no fixed deadlines for individual assignments, so you can study at your own pace as long as you complete the course within your 12-month access period.
This qualification is awarded by NCFE, an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual, under its CACHE brand. When you complete it successfully, you will receive an NCFE CACHE certificate.
Qualification Number: 600/0727/8
If you still have any questions, please refer to our main FAQs page or contact us for further assistance.
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