Introductory (Families and Couples or Child Focused)

This course, run in conjunction with Birkbeck, University of London, has now been redesigned as two separate streams leading to the same qualification.  The Graduate certificate is equivalent to the final year of an undergraduate degree programme and enables the Institute and Birkbeck to offer training to a wide range of students of varying academic backgrounds.  This level is also a foundation level for Family Therapy training and meets the Association of Family Therapy criteria as an Introductory Level Course.

The course consists of two streams from which candidates must choose. They are:

• Systemic Practice with Families and Couples
• Systemic Child Focused Practice

The courses are equivalent but not identical. These streams are structured differently and run on different days. Students are therefore required to indicate at the point of application which stream they wish to attend. All students graduate with a Graduate Certificate in Systemic Practice.

Both streams employ a mixture of lecture-style presentation, experiential small-group work, workshops and presentations by visiting speakers. Lectures make use of audiovisual illustrations and other active teaching techniques. There are opportunities in both streams to attend workshops or hear external speakers that enable participants to follow particular avenues of interest. Throughout the course students’ current practice (working with children, couples or families) is related to the theoretical ideas they are studying. There is an emphasis on reflective practice both in terms of the use of self and in the development of students’ understanding.

On successful completion of the introductory year it is possible for candidates to apply to join either stream for continuing training in systemic practice.

Entrance Requirements for both streams 

The foundation level course aims to meet the needs of a broad range of participants who have a relevant professional background, such as nursing, social work, psychology, psychiatry or teaching.

In some circumstances people without a helping professional background may be accepted, but will only be eligible to receive the Graduate Certificate if they have arranged regular ongoing direct (i.e. face to face) and relevant work during the period of the course. Entry on this basis will be at the discretion of the course chair. 

No previous training in systemic work is required.

If your intention is to pursue your training to MSc level, you must be aware that a prior professional qualfication will be a requirement for entry.  Please see Prior Training Requirements for further details of MSc entry criteria. 

Assessment for the Graduate Certificate for both streams

Each stream consists of two modules. Both streams are assessed by three pieces of coursework (one in module one and two in module two), to be completed at different stages during the year. There is also a requirement for both streams to satisfactorily complete a first essay at the end of the first term which does not go towards the overall mark for module one. On obtaining a pass-level for each element of the course assessment, participants will be awarded a Graduate Certificate in Systemic Practice by IFT and Birkbeck, University of London. Students who do not complete the written coursework may be awarded a Certificate of Attendance from the Institute of Family Therapy.

There is an 80% attendance requirement for both streams.

Learning Portfolio

Students are expected to build up a learning portfolio over this academic year, which can be carried forward into future years should the student continue in systemic training. This should include copies of coursework and feedback, and a diary of clinical and academic learning. This will be discussed within tutor groups and guidance will be given.

Families and Couples Stream

This stream is offered in both London and Leicester.  It is held in London on Tuesday afternoons from 2.00pm - 5.00pm, and in Leicester on Friday mornings 9.30am - 12.30pm, commencing in early October 2009 and running for 30 sessions divided into 3 terms. It is accredited as a foundation level course by the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice.

Participants must be working with families or couples within the context of their profession to be eligible for this stream.

Aims

This stream aims to familiarise participants with a systems approach to working with couples and families, the principles underlying this and the main approaches used in systemic practice. The inclusion of a wide range of approaches has been considered an important characteristic of this course.

The stream on its own does not aim to train participants to become therapists, but to enable the incorporation of systemic ideas and techniques into the participants’ professional practice.  It forms the foundation year of the Institute's 4 year clinical training programme. The academic and experiential learning provided encourages participants to broaden their range of intervention in family and other related contexts in which they have a professional role.

It is part of the philosophy of the course to encourage a critical approach to theory and practice in the light of inequalities and differences of race, class and gender, and to encourage an anti-discriminatory approach to working with clients. Developing an understanding of the self of the practitioner is also a core aspect of the course.

Structure

The basic format of this stream is a weekly one hour lecture, followed by work in small groups with 10 - 13 participants. Lecturers make use of audiovisual material, illustrations and other active teaching techniques.

There are workshop afternoons in the 2nd and 3rd terms which enable participants to follow particular avenues of interest.

In the small study groups, participants will be helped to understand and experiment with the practical applications of what has been learnt in the lectures, as well as making use of the experiential methods (e.g. role play, sculpting, genograms) to explore patterns of family interaction and different methods of intervention. There is also the opportunity to view audiovisual material of families in therapy.

In the 2nd or 3rd term participants will be expected to join with one or more group member/s to give a presentation to the small group of a topic related to the teaching on the course.

The focus of teaching will be on:

• Ways of observing and understanding the interaction between people in family, couple and professional relationships
• Methods of intervention
• Different applications of a systemic perspective

Course work

Module One: Systemic Theory and Practice One

• Essay of 2,500 words, completed component, i.e. not part of overall grade, due December.
• Essay of 2,500 words, assessed component, due February.

Module Two: Systemic Theory and Practice Two

• Essay of 2,500 words, due May
• Reflective journal, due end of term

Teaching Staff

Course Chair: Sumita Dutta, MSc, MSW, MA

Robin Ewart Biggs, MSc

Monica Lynch, CQSW, MSc

Chiara Santin, BSc, MSc

Leicester:

Annette Howes, RN(LD), MSc

Fawzia Kauser, BN, RN(MH), MSc

Birkbeck Programme Director

Virginia Elgar, MA

Child Focused Stream

This stream is held in London in nine, two day blocks on a Monday and Tuesday, commencing in October 2009.

The course grew out of the interest in involving children in therapy with their families and individually which in recent years has had a resurgence of interest in systemic practice. It is aimed at those working with children in a wide range of contexts. Participants must have experience of working with children, and be currently working with children. They should also have an appropriate professional qualification or equivalent, such as social work, nursing, psychiatry, psychology or education.

The course is accredited as a foundation level course by the Association of Family Therapy and Systemic Practice.

Aims

This stream looks at the development of ideas and skills over time. There is an emphasis on exploring the processes of change and the nature of the therapeutic relationship.

Additionally, issues such as gender, ethics, culture and power will be central.

It aims to:

• Provide opportunities for study of the core elements of a systemic approach to working with children and families including theory, practice, the self of the practitioner and the therapeutic relationship
• To apply the above to specific working environments
• To encourage participants to reflect on and learn about their own responses and reactions in utilising a child focused perspective
• To encourage a critical approach to theory and practice in the light of differences in race, class, gender, sexuality and ability to encourage an anti-discriminatory approach to ways of working
• To address these core elements not only in relation to systemic principles, but to be aware of other related models of working with children and how these can usefully influence a systemic approach

Structure

This stream takes place in monthly two-day blocks, Monday and Tuesday. It includes lectures and small group work. The work in the groups will help participants to understand and explore the practice implications of what has been learned in the lectures, including the development of different interventions useful for their work with children.

A variety of teaching methods are used - didactic, role play, use of audiovisual material, small group discussion and case presentation and consultation.  A number of external speakers will present their specialist areas of interest.

The stream is divided into 2 modules, both of which develop the participant’s under standing of:

• Theory
• Practice
• Personal development of the practitioner

Course Work

Module One: Systemic Theory and Practice One

• Essay of 2,500 words, completed component, i.e. not part of overall grade, due December.
• Essay of 2,500 words, assessed component, due February.

Module Two: Systemic Theory and Practice Two

• Essay of 2,500 words, due May
• Reflective journal, due end of term

Full instructions and guidance for the completion of work will be given.

Teaching Staff

Richard Best:  BA, CQSW, MSc

Jan Parker: BA, MSc

Birkbeck Programme Director

Virginia Elgar: MA

Facilities for students registered for the Graduate Certificate in Systemic Practice

Students registered for this course will also be registered as students of Birkbeck, University of London, and enjoy the same status and facilities as those at other colleges of the University of London.

Students Union facilities include an evening nursery for children aged 2-7. Further information can be obtained from Birkbeck (www.bbk.ac.uk).

Social work candidates are advised that we have made an application to the General Social Care Council regarding the social work award at the Higher Specialist Level for candidates who complete both the Graduate Certificate and the Postgraduate Certificate. We are awaiting the results of our application.

Applications for both streams

The closing date for applications for both streams is 30th June. This is a popular course and early application is advised.       .

Selection for the course is made on the basis of the application form. Applicants will not normally be required to attend an interview.

Click here to download a word document of the application form.

IMPORTANT - please read Notes for Applicants before starting to complete the form.

Fees for both streams

The full fee for the course is £1,776. A non returnable administration fee of £40 is payable to the Institute of Family Therapy on application. The course fee is due in full by the first day of the autumn term and is payable to BIRKBECK COLLEGE

Alternative methods of payment available to self payers only:

• By direct debit in 8 monthly instalments
• In 3 termly instalments

IFT POLICY ON FEES

Once registered with IFT, students (or their employer/sponsor) will be liable for the full course fee.  In the event of students failing to complete a course for any reason (including voluntry withdrawal on notice), they will remain liable for the full fee.