There are no specific recommended prior learning requirements for this qualification. However, learners may find it helpful if they have already achieved a level 2 qualification. Learners should be aged 16 or above to undertake this qualification. This qualification is designed for anyone who would like to develop their use of counselling skills for use in either work or in a personal capacity. This may be learners who wish to progress towards further qualifications, or learners who wish to study this programme in order to complement other programmes (for example, health and social care, children’s care, learning and development, voluntary and community work). This qualification aims to: • introduce learners to the use of counselling skills in everyday life and work and some of the approaches underpinning the use of these skills The objectives of this qualification are to help learners to: • progress to similar qualifications at a higher level • progress to a role in which counselling skills are used. Learners who achieve this qualification could progress to: • Level 3 qualifications in workplace mentoring • Level 3 and 4 qualifications in advice and guidance • Level 4 qualifications in counselling Progression to higher level studies This qualification aims to provide learners with a number of progression options, including higher level studies at university or FE colleges. The skills required to progress to higher academic studies are different from those required at levels 1 and 2. Level 3 qualifications enable the development of these skills. Although there is no single definition of higher level learning skills, they include: • checking and testing information • supporting your points with evidence • self-directed study • self-motivation • thinking for yourself • analysing and synthesising information/materials • critical thinking and problem solving • working collaboratively • reflecting upon learning and identifying improvements Level 3 criteria can require learners to analyse, draw conclusions, interpret or justify, which are all examples of higher level skills. This means that the evidence provided for the portfolio will also demonstrate the development and use of higher-level learning skills