Supporting Minds, Safeguarding Children

A professionally focused Level 4 qualification for people working in education, safeguarding, pastoral, community and support roles who provide, or are preparing to provide, reflective supervision within their professional setting.

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This is an assessed qualification, not attendance-only CPD. The programme combines taught learning, independent study, reflective learning and assessment over approximately 15 weeks. 

 

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for professionals whose work involves people, relationships, responsibility, emotional labour, safeguarding awareness or supporting others.

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It may be particularly relevant for:

• teachers, headteachers and senior leaders

• designated safeguarding leads and safeguarding staff

• pastoral, inclusion, behaviour and attendance staff

• line managers and team leaders

• learning mentors and family support workers

• social workers, youth workers and community practitioners

• mental health and wellbeing leads

• charity and voluntary-sector staff

• professionals supporting children, young people, families, adults at risk or communities. 

 

You do not need to be a counsellor, psychotherapist or clinical supervisor to undertake the qualification. 

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What will the course help me develop?

The programme supports learners to develop a clear, safe and professionally grounded approach to reflective supervision.

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Learning includes the principles and purpose of reflective supervision, professional and ethical boundaries, safeguarding, confidentiality, reflective communication, safe supervision agreements, managing emotionally demanding professional material and developing your own reflective supervision practice.

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The emphasis throughout is on using reflective supervision safely and purposefully within the boundaries of your existing professional role. 

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Successful learners should leave with greater confidence in facilitating reflective conversations, stronger awareness of professional boundaries and safeguarding responsibilities, and a clearer framework for supporting reflection, learning, accountability and professional development. 

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Course commitment

This is more than a five-day training course.

The qualification includes:

• 5 taught days - 100% attendance is required

• 40 guided learning hours

• 170 hours total qualification time

• Approximately 15 weeks

• Independent reading, reflection, practice and assessment work take place between taught sessions, so learners need to be able to commit time to the programme outside the teaching days. 

 

Attendance at the required taught and assessment sessions is an important part of completing the qualification. 

 

How is the course delivered?

The programme uses a blended approach, combining face-to-face teaching with independent study and online learning activity.

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The taught sessions are designed to support learners to build their understanding, develop reflective supervision skills and apply learning safely within their own professional context. 

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How is the qualification assessed?

This is an assessed Level 4 qualification.

Learners complete a range of written, reflective and practice-based assessment activities and must meet all required assessment criteria to achieve the qualification.

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Assessment is internally assessed and subject to internal quality assurance and external assurance from NCFE. 

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Support and guidance are provided throughout the programme to help learners understand the assessment requirements and develop their portfolio of evidence.

 

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally:

• be aged 18 or over

• have relevant professional, paid, self-employed or voluntary experience

• have access to an appropriate professional or practice context

• understand the confidentiality and safeguarding responsibilities relevant to their role

• be able to undertake written and reflective study at Level 4

• be willing to take part in reflective learning, skills practice, feedback and professional discussion. 

 

All applicants complete an application and suitability process before enrolment. 

 

Professional scope and boundaries

This qualification is designed to develop reflective supervision skills within education, community and support settings.

 

It is not a counselling, psychotherapy or clinical supervision qualification. It does not replace safeguarding procedures, line management, clinical supervision, therapy or crisis support, and it does not authorise learners to practise outside their existing professional role, competence or organisational responsibilities. 

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This is an NCFE Customised Qualification. It is an unregulated qualification and does not confer a licence to practise as a clinical supervisor of those in regulated professions. 

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2027 course dates

• 13 and 14 January 2027

• 22 February 2027

• 12 April 2027

• 24 May 2027

 

Days 1 to 4 are delivered face to face, with Day 5 delivered online via Zoom.

 

Course fee

£1,250 + VAT per learner

Organisation-funded places are welcome. Organisations can also enquire about dedicated cohorts and commissioned delivery. 

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Interested in joining the course?

If the programme feels relevant to your role, the next step is to request the prospectus and application information.

Before applying, you should consider whether you can commit to the taught sessions, independent study and assessment requirements, and whether you have an appropriate professional context in which to apply your learning safely. 

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For course enquiries, applications and organisation-funded places:

info@katiemalley.co.uk