Skip to main content

Description

Programme Specification for the 2021/2 academic year

PGDip Psychological Therapies Practice (Children, Young People and Families)

1. Programme Details

Programme namePGDip Psychological Therapies Practice (Children, Young People and Families) Programme codePDP1PSYPSY06
Study mode(s)Full Time
Academic year2021/2
Campus(es) NQF Level of the Final Award7 (Masters)

2. Description of the Programme

This Postgraduate Diploma programme has been developed to equip you with the knowledge and skills in evidence-based psychological therapies required by the UK Department of Health’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies for Children and Young People (CYP IAPT) Programme. You will complete all the requirements of the CYP IAPT national curriculum for your modality through university-based workshops, clinical supervision groups and tutorials. You will also be supported to undertake supervised clinical practice with children, young people and their parents. On successful completion of the programme you may be eligible to apply for accreditation of your therapy practice by the appropriate Professional Standards or Regulatory Body, subject to additional requirements as necessary (eg British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy).

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

In this programme we aim to help you develop your practice in evidence-based psychological therapies for children, young people and families. You will develop the knowledge and competencies required to be an effective practitioner, as determined by the relevant national curriculum for the CYP IAPT Programme. We aim to provide you with a high quality and stimulating learning experience in a supportive environment that is enriched by an internationally recognised research environment, nationally recognised innovative clinical teaching approaches and current clinical practice.

4. Programme Structure

5. Programme Modules

http://cedar.exeter.ac.uk/programmes/

Stage 1


120 credits of compulsory and non-condonable modules

a CBT practitioners must take this module

b Parenting practitioners must take this module

c Systemic Family Practitioners must take this module

d Systemic Family Practitioners (Adolescent Eating Disorders Pathway) must take this module

e Systemic Family Practitioners (Adolescent Conduct Disorder and Depression Pathway) must take these modules

f 0-5 Practitioners must take these modules

Compulsory Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
PYCM027 Core Skills for Working with Young People with Mental Health Problems and Their Families 60Yes
PYCM028 Evidence-based CBT with Children and Young People [See note a above]60Yes
PYCM029 Evidence-based Parenting Interventions [See note b above]60Yes
PYCM030 Systemic Family Practice in CAMHS [See note c above]30Yes
PYCM031 Systemic Family Practice for Adolescent Eating Disorders [See note d above]30Yes
PYCM032 Systemic Family Practice for Adolescent Conduct Disorders [See note e above]15Yes
PYCM033 Systemic Family Practice for Adolescent Self-harm/Depression [See note e above]15Yes
PYCM034 Fundamental Principles 0-5s [See note f above]20Yes
PYCM035 Interventions to Enhance Attachment in Vulnerable Groups [See note f above]20Yes
PYCM036 Interventions for Existing Diagnosable Problems in Children Aged 1.5 to 5 Years [See note f above]20Yes

6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

1. Demonstrate generic and modality-specific skill competencies in evidence based psychological therapy as determined by the CYP IAPT national curriculum.
2. Synthesise the key underpinning knowledge in evidence-based psychological therapies for children, young people and families.
3. Critique the context within which psychological therapies are provided (including relevant professional, ethical and legal frameworks).

Lectures and group tutorials based at the University. Guided independent study. Clinical practice placement. Group supervision of practice incorporating video analysis and written supervision feedback. 

6000 word practice portfolio including supervisor feedback (ILO 1).

2 x 3000 word case reports (ILOs 2, 3).

3000 word evidence-based theory essay (ILOs 2, 3).

Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

4. Explain in detail the key theoretical bases for evidence-based psychological therapy models and link their relationship to practice.
5. Understand, interpret, critically evaluate, and apply evidence-based practice.
6. Evidence appropriate use of supervision in developing clinical skills.

Lectures and group tutorials. Guided independent study and clinical practice. Group supervision of supervision practice incorporating video analysis and written supervision feedback.

6000 word practice portfolio including supervisor feedback (ILOs 5, 6).

2 x 3000 word case reports (ILOs 4, 5).

Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

7. Analyse and manage the implications of ethical dilemmas and work proactively with others to formulate solutions.
8. Manage complexity, incompleteness and contradiction.
9. Function independently and reflectively as a learner and practitioner.

Group supervision and tutorials. Practice-based peer review and self-directed learning. Clinical practice placement.

30 minute case presentation (ILOs 8, 9).

5000 word extended case report (ILOs 7, 8).

2000 word reflective practice log (ILO 9).

7. Programme Regulations

Programme-Specific Progression Rules

You must pass all the modules in the table above. The pass mark for these modules is 50% with an additional requirement to pass all individual assessments within individual modules. If you fail any modules you will not be permitted to continue with the PGDip programme. If you fail any modules but your module mark is in the range 40-49% you will be transferred to the GradDip Psychological Therapies Practice (Children, Young People and Families). If you fail any modules with a mark of less than 40% your registration as a student will be terminated with immediate effect.

Following successful completion of the PGDip, you will also be permitted to progress onto the MSc Psychological Therapies Practice and Research (Children, Young People and Families). For progression to the MSc component there is an additional requirement to pass the module PYCM002 Methodological Approaches in Psychological Therapies Research. If successful the marks will not be included in the MSc award calculation.

Following successful completion of the PGDip, you will also be permitted to progress onto the MSc Psychological Therapies Practice and Research

Programme-Specific Award Rules

You are not permitted to exit with a PGCert on passing 60 credits.

Classification

8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning

Within Psychology there is a well-equipped suite of PCs dedicated for postgraduate use, with further support provided by a dedicated IT and statistics helpdesk.

A range of services is available to support your study both from within Psychology. These include:

  • Team development programme.
  • Personal and professional development planning.
  • Student handbooks and programme guides.
  • Range of specialist advisors, including for: women students, non-school leavers, and overseas students.
  • Computing and Statistics Help Desk.
  • Virtual Resource Room and other web-based learning materials.
  • Clinically focused seminars, the ‘Think Tank’, provided by the Mood Disorders Centre.

9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning

10. Admissions Criteria

Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.

For those entrants to this programme with an Honours Degree, it is expected that they will have gained a degree class equivalent of 2:2 or better (i.e., 50%+). Those holding Third Class Honours may apply and each case will be considered on its own merits. Those without an Honours degree, or those holding Third Class Honours who are not accepted onto this Postgraduate Diploma programme, may be considered for admission onto the Graduate Diploma in Psychological Therapies Practice (Children, Young People and Families).

Applicants must normally have completed a recognised professional clinical training or relevant undergraduate degree. Non-standard applications will be considered where applicants can demonstrate the required academic ability alongside existing knowledge, experience and skills developed in the workplace, relevant to this programme. Please contact the Programme Director if you would like to explore whether your prior learning, experience and skills would be acceptable. Candidates will need to undertake an interview and confirmation of appropriate registration to practice (eg Health Professions or Nursing and Midwifery Council Registration) and evidence of a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

12. Indicators of Quality and Standards

On successful completion of this programme you may be able to submit your practice portfolio and other assignments towards accreditation by an appropriate professional or statutory body (eg BABCP), subject to additional requirements as necessary.

13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards

14. Awarding Institution

University of Exeter

15. Lead College / Teaching Institution

College of Life and Environmental Sciences (CLES)

16. Partner College / Institution

Partner College(s)

Not applicable to this programme

Partner Institution

Not applicable to this programme.

17. Programme Accredited / Validated by

0

18. Final Award

PGDip Psychological Therapies Practice (Children, Young People and Families)

19. UCAS Code

N/A

20. NQF Level of Final Award

7 (Masters)

21. Credit

CATS credits ECTS credits

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

23. Dates

Origin Date

25/11/2014

Date of last revision

17/03/2021