Level 5+ top up route (SCoPEd column B) accreditation
Elevating your professional standing through accreditation
Welcome to ACC’s level 5+ top up accreditation route for SCoPEd column B accreditation. This pathway is designed for ACC registered counsellor members who have successfully completed level 5 or higher (or equivalent) core training, meet the training and supervised practice hours required for column B of the SCoPEd framework, and have completed ACC SCoPEd column B top up training or an equivalent SCoPEd column B progression training since initial qualification and are submitting your application within two years of completing the top up training.
If you have a level 5 qualification, you will need to be deemed equivalent to a level 6 counsellor through an additional post-qualification certificate or diploma in a specialist area of clinical practice or an additional qualification in supervision.
To register your interest in receiving details of the next SCoPEd column B top up training, please email registrar@acc-uk.org.
Eligibility criteria overview
To apply you’ll need to have:
- Active Membership. You must hold active, registered counsellor membership with ACC and be fully compliant with our ethics and practice standards.
- 450 Guided Learning Hours (GLH). For all pathways, to count guided learning hours, the overall teaching ratio must be at minimum 70% face to face. This means the remainder can be online, but must be synchronous (i.e., in real time with a tutor leading the training as a live, taught session).
- Path 1 – 450 GLH of core counselling training which is formally validated at level 6.
- Path 2 – 420 GLH of core counselling training which is formally validated at level 6. Shortfalls of up to 30 hours can be bridged using prior certificate levels, post-qualifying modules, or a maximum of 30 hours of structured CPD.
- Path 3 – 450 GLH of core counselling training which is formally validated at level 5, plus an additional post qualification certificate or diploma in a specialist area of clinical practice or an additional qualification in supervision.
- Path 4 – 420 GLH of core counselling training, which is formally validated at level 5. Shortfalls of up to 30 hours can be bridged using prior certificate levels, post-qualifying modules, or a maximum of 30 hours of structured CPD. Plus an additional post qualification certificate or diploma in a specialist area of clinical practice or an additional qualification in supervision.
- Evidence of 450 supervised practice hours
- over at least three years from the date of first supervised practice session
- include practice hours post qualification
- ACC accredited SCoPEd column B top up training (or equivalent). Evidence attendance at an ACC accredited SCoPEd column B top up training (or equivalent). Attending the whole training is a mandatory prerequisite for accreditation via level 5+ top up route.
If you have missed a part of the training, an exception may be made for extenuating and exceptional circumstances. Read the guidance notes and contact registrar@acc-uk.org before completing your accreditation application.
Please contact us at registrar@acc-uk.org if you are unsure if your training meets these criteria.
How to apply
To apply for accreditation, there are two stages to the process. You need to submit a completed online accreditation application form, which is in several parts, and attend a viva interview.
Stage 1: online application
- Part 1: Personal and professional details
- Part 2: Counselling training – You will be prompted to upload qualification evidence of your CPD and SCoPEd column B top up training.
- Part 3: Counselling experience
- Part 4: Checklist for good practice
- Part 5: Supervision – You will be asked to share the link to an online reference form with your supervisor. This is a compulsory part of your application so please ensure your supervisor completes it promptly.
- Part 6: Evaluation of the Churchill Framework
Stage 2: Viva
You will need to attend an online 60/90-minute viva with ACC assessors. A viva is a structured interview in which you will be asked to demonstrate some of the SCoPEd column B competences by answering questions related to the competences. Further information is provided within the guidance notes.
Application form
ACCREDITATION APPLICATION – Level 5+ top up route (SCoPEd B)
Guidance notes
More details about the eligibility requirements and guidance are available here.
Fees
Fees for accreditation assessments are set annually. There is a variable charge for re-submission based on the extent of re-work required. Details about fees can be found on ACC’s website here.
If you have any questions, please contact registrar@acc-uk.org.