Unit Title: Counselling: Skills for the Workplace

1 of 3 Version 1 – July 2014 © AIM Awards 2014

AIM Awards

Unit Credit Value: 6

Unit Level: Two

Unit Guided Learning Hours: 30

Ofqual Unit Reference Number: J/506/3037

Unit Review Date: 31/07/2019

Unit Sector: 1.3 Health and Social Care

Unit Summary This unit will introduce learners to the application of counselling skills in the workplace. This unit will enable learners to develop a theoretical and practical understanding of working in this specialised context. The unit will encourage learners to reflect on appropriate, safe and ethical practice when working in the workplace.

Unit Information It is expected that before the unit is delivered, the tutor will have read the Qualification Specification to ensure all conditions regarding Rules of Combination, delivery, assessment and internal quality assurance are fulfilled. Additional guidance is available below as Assessment Guidance for Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria in bold. This unit has 5 learning outcomes

LEARNING OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The learner will: The learner can:

1. Understand the nature of counselling in the workplace

1.1. Describe the key features of counselling in the workplace

1.2. Describe the influence of theoretical approaches on workplace counselling

2. Understand the context of counselling in a workplace setting

2.1. Illustrate the application of counselling skills in the workplace

2.2. Assess the application of counselling skills in the workplace

3. Understand ethical practice when counselling in the workplace

3.1. Indicate key challenges to ethical practice when counselling in the workplace

4. Understand risk management in the counselling interaction

4.1. Assess potential key risks to the counsellor

4.2. Assess potential key risks to the client

Unit Title: Counselling: Skills for the Workplace

2 of 3 Version 1 – July 2014 © AIM Awards 2014

AIM Awards

LEARNING OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The learner will: The learner can:

5. Know about an awareness of self in relation to others when counselling in the workplace

5.1. Identify ways in which personal self-awareness has developed when counselling in the workplace

Assessment This unit is assessed by a journal which is internally set and assessed. The journal must be up to 800 words per session. Indicative Content Learning Outcome 1

Nature of counselling in the workplace: brief history of work place counselling to include the introduction of Employee Assistance Programs as an alternative to counsellors based within an organisation.

Difference in roles between a workplace counsellor and those who provide EAP services, with a focus on the different roles workplace counsellors may be asked to provide, e.g. training, coaching etc.

1.2 Theoretical approaches: basic knowledge of main therapeutic approaches to counselling clients in the workplace, and within EAP’s, with a focus on the potential for brief interventions with clients.

Learning Outcome 2

Context of counselling: potential presenting issues faced by work place or EAP counsellors including but not restricted to: work based stress and anxiety, transition and change within the working environment, redundancy issues, substance misuse issues` and disputes and difficulties with colleagues.

2.1.Illustrate the application: knowledge of and an opportunity to demonstrate counselling skills for people in the workplace.

Learning Outcome 3

3.1 Ethical practice: ethical practice and challenges of working in this specialised context.

Learning Outcome 4

Risk management: health and safety issues for counsellors and clients in this specialised context to include self-care for the counsellor.

Unit Title: Counselling: Skills for the Workplace

3 of 3 Version 1 – July 2014 © AIM Awards 2014

AIM Awards

Learning Outcome 5 Awareness: Relevance of personal self-awareness in this specialised context.

Reading List Required Reading

Coles, A. (2003) Counselling in the Workplace. Buckingham: Open University Press. Caroll, M. (1996) Workplace Counselling: A Systematic Approach to Employee Care. London: Sage. Franklin, L. (2003) An Introduction to Workplace Counselling: A Practitioner’s Guide. Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Recommended Reading

Bond, T. (2010) Standards and Ethics for Counselling In Action (3rd Ed). London: Sage.