Postgraduate Certificate in Sytemic Practice - Year 2 Intermediate (Families and Couples or Child Focused)

Following on from the Graduate Certificate in Systemic Practice (Year 1, Introductory), the Institute offers this 1-year intermediate level course in systemic practice, leading to the award of the Postgraduate Certificate in Systemic Practice. This course, run in conjunction with Birkbeck College, University of London, is made up of two separate streams leading to the same qualification.  The course meets the Association of Family Therapy criteria as an Intermediate Course.

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.

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

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

These streams are structured differently, and run on different days, and students are therefore required to indicate at the point of application which stream they wish to attend. However, all students graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate in Systemic Practice.

Entrance Requirements for both streams

Applicants must have a relevant professional training or equivalent, and have successfully completed a foundation level training in systemic practice or equivalent. They must also have the opportunity to complete at least 60 hours of systemic practice in the twelve months leading to the end of the course. Trainees must obtain relevant permission for this work to be discussed in a confidential academic environment.

For students who have successfully completed the Graduate Certificate in Systemic Practice at the Institute of Family Therapy, a recommendation from the course tutor is required.

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

Assessment for Postgraduate Certificate for both streams

Each of the streams consists of two modules. Both streams are assessed by four pieces of work (two in module one and two in module two), to be completed at different stages during the year. These are described below under the different streams. There is also a requirement on both courses to satisfactorily complete a log of 60 hours of systemic practice and a log of learning on the course. On obtaining a pass-level for each element of the course, participants will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Systemic Practice, by IFT and Birkbeck College, University of London.

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

Aims

This well established and popular stream has been running for many years.  It aims to help participants working with families and couples increase and consolidate their theoretical and clinical skills and their understanding of the use of the self in practice. Participants will be expected to bring their own material for discussion, and to bring video or audio recordings of their work.

This stream is accredited by the Association of Family Therapy as an intermediate level course.

Structure

The course is run in both London and Leicester.  The London course meets weekly on Wednesdays, and the Leicester group meets on Thursday mornings, commencing in early October. Each of the 3 terms runs over approximately 8 weeks. 

The majority of teaching is undertaken in small groups. In London there is a choice of afternoon groups meeting from 2 – 5pm and an evening group which meets 5.30pm – 8.30pm. These groups, consisting of 10 – 12 people, meet for three hours each week to explore issues and concentrate on skills development. The groups are experiential and their relationship remains constant throughout the year.

Students in both London and Leicester also attend 7 whole day plenary sessions over the year, which are held in London, on Wednesdays 10.30am – 4.30pm. A full timetable is provided at the beginning of term.

Specific Course requirements for the Families and Couples Stream

The course is divided in to two modules: Theory and practice with families and couples 1, and theory and practice with families and couples 2.  There is an 80% attendance requirement over each module.

Module One:  Systemic Theory and Practice One, takes place from October to February and is assessed through two pieces of written work:

• A case study of 2,500 words due in December
• A session analysis of 2,500 words due in February.

The module also included completed components:

• The learning portfolio
• A practice log of 30 hours.

Module Two: Systemic Theory and Practice Two, takes place from February to June and is assessed as follows:

• An essay combining theory, practice and use of self, and
• A written examination. The examination will be seen prior to undertaking  it in exam conditions.

Completed components for this module are:

• a log of 30 additional practice hours, bringing the total number to 60 over the year, and
• a further learning log of the course over the length of the module.

Current Teaching Staff:

Course Chair: Chip Chimera, MSc, CQSW, DipPdP

Jocelyn Avigad, BSocSc, DipPsychSW

Sharon Bond, BA, DSysPsych, ACTFT

Tony Ferguson, BA, MSc, CQSW

Monica Lynch, CQSW, MSc

Leicester:

Kathy Payne, MSc, RMN, Cert Ed.

Birkbeck Programme Director

Virginia Elgar, MA

Child Focused Stream

Aims

This innovative stream aims to provide participants with opportunities to extend their thinking and practice with children and young people in such a way that their personal style is expanded and their knowledge of systemic, attachment and other relevant theory is broadened.

• Comparative Approaches and Theories: Participants will appreciate the influences and useful contributions not only from systemic family therapy theories, but also from attachment theory, narrative and solution focused approaches.
• Children in Professional Contexts: Participants will aim to extend their knowledge with children in specific contexts such as court related work, children looked after by the state, children seen in mental health services with specific difficulties such as ADHD, divorce and mediation work.
• Child Focused Reflective Practice: A central aim for the training will be to allow participants opportunities to reflect upon practice: their personal “style” as a therapist/practitioner and extend their repertoire of skills. The further exploration of use of self in context will address self in relation to family, cultural, gendered and class scripts, and self in relation to learning and development.

Structure

This stream takes place once a month for a two-day block. Each session is linked to private study including preparation of seminar papers for the following session, contributions to the Learning Portfolio, and work on the log of systemic practice.  Participants will be paired with a consulting partner at the outset of the course and this partnership will be expected to discuss any element of the teaching on the course and support student preparation between sessions. 

Specific Course requirements for the Child Focused Practice Stream

The stream is divided into two modules: Sytemic Child Focused Theory and Practice 1, and Systemic Child Focused Theory and Practice 2. There is an 80% attendance requirement over each module.

Module One: Child Focused Theory and Practice One, takes place from October to February and is assessed through two pieces of written work:

a family observation and

• a session analysis

There is also a requirement for completed components  of

• a portfolio of your learning (see general requirements above) and
• a practice log of 30 hours

Module Two, Child Focused Theory and Practice Two, takes place froom February to June and is assessed through:

• an essay combining theory, practice and use of self, and
• a presentation to your group

There is also a requirement for completed components of

• a log of 30 additional practice hours, bringing the total number to 60 over the year, and
• the continuation and completion of the learning portfolio from module one

Course Chair

Chip Chimera, MSc, CQSW, DipPdp

Birkbeck Programme Director

Virginia Elgar: MA  

Facilities for students registered for the Postgraduate Certificate in Systemic Practice

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

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

Applications for Both Streams

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

Please contact Jess McKay for an application/information pack.

Late applicants: as of 30th July there are a limited number of places available. Please contact the Training Department for an application pack.

Selection for the Postgraduate training is made on the basis of the application form and applicants will not normally be required to attend an interview.

Fees for Both Streams

The full fee for the course is £1,632. 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 the student (or their employer/sponsor) will remain liable for the full course fee.  In the event of students failing to complete a course for any reason (including voluntary withdrawal on notice) they will remain liable for the full fee.