• Access Duration: 12 Months
• Awarded by: NCFE CACHE
• Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 80
• Total Qualifications Time (TQT): 120
• Qualification Level: 3
• Qualification Number: 601/7156/X

• Learners will develop a comprehensive understanding of the different approaches to counselling.
• Understand the ethical and professional standards that govern counselling practice.
• Learn about the different stages of the counselling process
• Learn how to use different counselling techniques and interventions to support clients.
• Learn how to reflect on your own practice and identify areas for personal and professional growth.

The qualification is suitable for individuals interested in enhancing their existing skills in counselling or pursuing a career in the field.

• Counsellor
• Life Coach
• Mental Health Support Worker
• Social Worker

• The course has no formal prerequisites. Learners over the age of 16 years are eligible to take the course.
• No work placement is required for this qualification.

• This course can be completed through two flexible study options to suit your lifestyle:
  • Standard Course Plan (6 months) – ideal for learners balancing other commitments.
  • Fast Track Option (3 months) – perfect for those who can dedicate intensive study time.
• Most learners complete within their chosen timeframe, though some may finish earlier depending on personal circumstances and available study time.We accommodate your pace with unlimited support for 12 months. This Level 3 Award requires approximately 80 guided learning hours.

T&C apply

Written Assignments: You’ll complete written tasks at the end of each module. These assignments are internally marked by a qualified assessor to evaluate your knowledge and practical application of counselling principles.

Tutor Feedback and Guidance: Your dedicated tutor will regularly review your progress, offering constructive feedback and personalised guidance to help you deepen your understanding and improve in future submissions.

Ongoing Assessor Support: You’ll have access to comprehensive support from our assessors and tutors via multiple channels, including email, WhatsApp, phone, online discussions, and live web chats, ensuring you’re never studying alone.

Ready to begin your journey in counselling?
Click ‘Enquire Now’ to connect with our team and take your first step toward helping others through professional counselling skills and theory.

Upon completing the course, you will receive the Level 3 Award in Counselling Skills and Theory by NCFE CACHE.

Completing the Level 3 Award in Counselling Skills and Theory gives you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage in meaningful helping relationships and advance your career in counselling, psychology, or social support. This qualification boosts your employability and opens the door to roles where you can make a real difference in people’s emotional well-being and lives.

Here are some careers you could pursue, along with typical UK salaries (Source: Glassdoor):

• Counsellor – £45,000
• Life Coach – £60,000
• Social Worker – £50,000
• Mental Health Support Worker – £26,000

With this award, you can also progress to higher-level CACHE Certificates or Diplomas, taking on more specialised roles or leadership positions and boosting your earning potential over time.

Completing the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Counselling Skills and Theory opens the door to a wide range of meaningful roles within the helping professions, where you can make a genuine difference in people’s lives.

Potential Academic Progression Pathways:

• Step 01: Counselling and Applied Psychology Level 4 Higher National Certificate
• Step 02: Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
• Step 03: Bachelor’s Degree in Counselling

Alternative Pathways:

• Level 3 Certificate NVQ Advice and Guidance
• Advanced Certificate in Mental Health And Well-Being

The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) is a non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating qualifications, exams, and assessments in England. Ofqual ensures that all qualifications offered by recognised awarding organisations meet rigorous national standards, giving you confidence that any Ofqual-regulated certificate is high-quality and widely accepted by employers and universities.

RQF

The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) is the system used in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to standardise qualifications by level and size. Overseen by regulatory bodies such as Ofqual, the RQF ensures qualifications are consistent, transparent, and easily understood by learners, employers, and higher education institutions. All qualifications listed on the RQF are approved and awarded by recognised awarding organisations.