iLearn Counselling

Location

Applicant Type

Adults

Level

Short Course

Subject

Counselling

Course Overview

If you’re interested in helping people overcome challenges, build confidence and improve their wellbeing, our iLearn Counselling programme provides an excellent introduction to working in supportive roles across health, social care, education and community settings. This three-week, classroom-based programme combines our iPrep training, which focuses on developing essential workplace and employability skills, with specialist training designed to introduce you to counselling skills and the principles of supporting individuals.

Throughout the programme, you’ll develop an understanding of effective communication, active listening, safeguarding, health and wellbeing, conflict management and emotional resilience. You’ll also explore how counselling skills can be used appropriately when supporting people who may be experiencing personal, emotional or social difficulties. Alongside these sector-specific skills, you’ll develop your confidence, customer service and interpersonal skills, helping you prepare for the demands of working with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

The course can provide a valuable starting point for anyone considering a career where supporting, listening to and working with people is an important part of the role. You could use the skills gained to pursue employment in settings such as schools, colleges, youth clubs, care homes and community organisations, or use the experience as a foundation for further study and professional development in counselling, health and social care, youth work or related areas.

Whether you’re looking to change career, return to work or take your first steps into a people-focused profession, iLearn Counselling can help you build the knowledge, confidence and employability skills to move towards a rewarding career supporting others.

Entry Requirements

To study this course, you must have a good command of the English language and complete an online form that includes a basic English assessment.

English assessment: Participation in this course requires the successful completion of a basic English assessment. This assessment is essential not only to meet awarding body and funding requirements but also to ensure you have the necessary language skills to complete the written components of the programme. If you do not meet the required standard, we can refer you to our English department, who may be able to offer funded lessons to support the development of your English skills.

Mandatory attendance, Coursework & Homework: Achieving the large number of qualifications offered on this course requires a high level of dedication and commitment. As such, full attendance at all classroom sessions is mandatory, and all coursework must be completed to ensure successful completion of the programme objectives. We recommend you set aside 1-3 hours per day for homework to ensure you meet the course deadlines. Lateness or requests to leave early may result in your place on the course being withdrawn.

Identification requirements: Candidates must provide one of the following forms of identification: Valid in-date passport (any nationality), signed in-date UK photocard driving licence, birth certificate (BUT, if a birth certificate is presented as proof of identification, an additional form of identification such as a signed bank card, utility bill or a letter issued by a government department must also be provided).

Assessment and Feedback

3 weeks in total delivered as follows:

Weeks 1 & 2 will be Monday to Thursday 10:00-16:00. These weeks are on offer at Southend, Basildon or Thurrock College
Week 3 will be Monday to Thursday 10:00-16:00 at Thurrock College

Venue addresses

Southend City College, Luker Road, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1ND
Centre for Digital Technologies – Basildon, College Way, Basildon, SS14 1GP
Thurrock College, High Street, Grays, RM17 6TF

Fees and Funding

This course is FREE to those who were over 19 on 31/08/2026, are unemployed, resident in England and in receipt of Universal Credit or similar benefits. It is also FREE to those who were over the age of 19 on 31/08/2026 and are earning under £25,750 per year (you will need to provide us with evidence of your income in order to qualify to take a course for free).

We regret that we cannot provide iLearn courses for free to individuals who reside in the following combined authorities: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City, North of Tyne, South Yorkshire, Tees Valley, West Midlands, West Yorkshire and West of England.

Future study/career options

On completion of this course, you can apply for a range of roles supporting individuals and communities across health, social care, education and youth settings. Career opportunities include Support Worker, Care Worker and Outreach Worker, with opportunities to work in settings such as schools, colleges, youth clubs, care homes and community organisations. The programme also develops valuable skills in counselling, safeguarding, health and wellbeing, communication, conflict management and emotional resilience, providing a strong foundation for gaining experience and progressing through further training and qualifications in counselling, health and social care, youth work and support services.

Study Commitment

3 weeks, Monday to Thursday 10:00-16:00

Additional Information

3 weeks, Monday to Thursday 10:00-16:00