Check-In with CPCAB: Minimum Assessment Levels (starts at 11.55 mins)
The question of why different colleges set different requirements for students studying the same qualification is raised often in the Counselling Tutor Facebook group.
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Rory talks to Heather Price (Senior Counselling Professional) at CPCAB (Counselling & Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body) about this question.
She explains that there are two types of assessment: external and internal. While the external assessment is a standard requirement that rarely changes, the internal assessment offers more flexibility to colleges in deciding how they will do this.
Heather describes how CPCAB set minimum standards for internal assessment – for example, that students must have ten hours of personal therapy while studying for the Level 4 Diploma.
However, colleges can add to this – though CPCAB would argue against making excessive demands – for example, if a college proposed more than 40 hours of personal counselling, CPCAB may well object as this could impose an unreasonable financial burden on students.
There are two types of assessment: external and internal. While the external assessment is a standard requirement that rarely changes, the internal assessment offers more flexibility to colleges in deciding how they will do this.
Tutors must submit to CPCAB their plan for internal assessment, and how this is timed throughout the programme. This helps CPCAB ensure that the assessment process is smooth and proportionate.
You can find more information about CPCAB on its website. CPCAB is the UK’s only awarding body run by counsellors for counsellors.