Post Qualifying Diploma in Supervision

Key features:

• Aimed at existing qualified counsellors and psychotherapists.
• Offers participants the chance to learn about a number of supervision models and the characteristics and features of each.
• Allows participants to sensitise themselves to the implications of their behaviours and interventions of supervisees, and review the impact of their supervisory styles.
• Builds awareness of the importance of ethical principles and frameworks in supervisory practice and encourages participants to critically evaluate ethical approaches to supervision.
• Participants will practice and develop their own supervision skills throughout and will need to supervise at least 1 supervisee during the course, to achieve a minimum of 5 hours of practice as a supervisor.

Eligibility:
To be eligible for this course you must:

• Be a qualified counsellor or psychotherapist with a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience amounting to approximately 400 hours.
• Be registered MBACP, NCPS Accredited Registrant, UKCP Registered or equivalent.

Please note: 
Completion of this course does not provide a route to registration with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and detailed individual applications to NCPS are required for this purpose, where applicable.

If you are interested in this course, you may wish to first book one of our online course presentations to find out more. Alternatively, the Course Tutor would be happy to speak with you personally – please contact us if you would like us to put you in touch.

Content:

• Theories and frameworks of supervision.
• Relational approach to supervision.
• Creative applications of supervision.
• Application to practice.
• Assessment.

Learning and assessment:
Training is delivered via a combination of tutor led sessions, creative group work, research and skills practise exercises.There is an expectation for students to reflect on their own learning and development throughout the course. As well as attending timetabled teaching days at the college (12 days), students will need to supervise a minimum of 1 supervisee during the course and achieve a minimum of 5 hours of practice as a supervisor, and will need to submit a log which includes brief notes on the 5 hours of supervision given.

Assessment is based on:

• Personal journal.
• Written assignment (3000-word journal article).
• Practicum (The practice of supervision in a live session of 20 minutes’ duration. This will be assessed in the group by peers and tutors).
  
  

Attendance requirements:
Students should aim to attend all 12 days, and the minimum attendance criteria is 9.5 days out of 12. You can therefore still pass the attendance requirement of this course if you miss up to 2.5 days, by ‘making up’ the learning in the ways described in the course handbook, but 3 or more missed days mean you cannot meet the attendance criteria to pass the course.  

Award: 
Iron Mill College Diploma in Supervision.

Please note: Completion of this course does not provide a route to registration with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and detailed individual applications to NCPS are required for this purpose, where applicable.

Please visit the 'Downloads Tab' to view the full course schedule. 

Venue:
Exeter 

Dates 2025:
Starts 20th September 2025, Weekends

Venue:
Poole

Dates 2025:
Starts 30th September 2025, Tuesdays 

Courses commencing between 1st Jan'25 - 31st Dec'25:

Option 1 (Total Payable £1,850.00):
An Enrolment Deposit of £500.00 (Non-Refundable) followed by one instalment of £1,350.00.

Option 2 (Total Payable £2,000.00):
An Enrolment Deposit of £500.00 (Non-Refundable) followed by two instalments of £750.00 (payable by direct debit)

Option 3 Bespoke payment plans (Total Payable £2,000.00):
In order to facilitate students, Iron Mill College has introduced bespoke payment plans which can be tailored to meet your specific needs. Please contact us at 01392 219200 / enquiries@ironmill.co.uk for further information.

Further information on fees:
Fees listed include VAT.

Applicants are invited to enrol by paying the Enrolment Deposit via the Booking Form on the website page (which shall be fully non-refundable in all circumstances) as well as submitting all application documents that can be found in your deposit payment confirmation email. The balance of course fees is payable as per the relevant schedule option above.

All applicants should ensure they read and understand the Terms and Conditions of the Student Agreement and the  Tuition Fee Contract Terms and Conditions before applying and paying their Enrolment Deposit (Non-Refundable).

Tuition Fee Increases:
Tuition fees are reviewed in Autumn each year and are usually increased in line with CPI each January.

How to pay:
For initial course payments and deposits, you can pay online (credit/Debit card) by using the booking form on this web page. You can also pay all fees by credit / debit card, either in person at Iron Mill College in Exeter, or over the phone by calling 01392 219200. 

We also accept cash paid in person at Iron Mill College in Exeter, as well as cheques, which should be made out to 'Iron Mill College' and dropped in or sent to 'Iron Mill College, Morwenstow, 7 Barnfield Crescent, Exeter, Devon, EX1 1QT'. We can also accept payments by bank transfer and direct debit - please get in touch with us at 01392 219200 / enquiries@ironmill.co.uk for our bank details or a direct debit form. Please use your name as the reference when making such payments.

Additional expenses:
This will vary depending on your own circumstances, but all applicants must make sure they fully understand the additional expense requirements they will need to undertake during this course. Iron Mill College is unable to contribute to any of these additional costs; they are met by the student. These costs may include:

• Travel and boarding costs.
• Purchase of books.
• Supervision that meets your governing body requirements.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: approximately £35-£90 per year. Discounts are available from some insurers for BACP members and monthly payment options are usually available.

Course commencement:
Please note: Iron Mill College makes every effort to avoid altering course times, course commencement and conclusion dates. However, should any changes be necessary, you will be notified at the earliest opportunity. All courses run subject to demand and the formation of a viable class cohort, based on the enrolment of a minimum number of successful applicants. A full refund of course fees paid, including any deposit, will be given to all applicants in the event that a course does not proceed and at least 14 days’ notice (prior to the advertised course start date) will be given to applicants, in the event of a course cancellation or postponement. The college cannot be held liable for any remedy, damages or compensation beyond this.

How to apply:
You can apply by submitting the following documents and items:

• Your £500 Enrolment Deposit (Non-Refundable) to reserve your place by using our 'Booking Form' on this website page. A confirmation email will be sent to the email address that you have provided as proof of purchase. Please check the confirmation email to click on the application form link to complete and process your application. Payments can also be made by contacting us. 
• If you require assistance in completing your application, please contact enquiries@ironmill.co.uk. 

Successful applicants will be offered a place on the course once all of the application documents have been received and the Enrolment Deposit is paid.

Final Application Date:
The deadline for applications is 4 weeks before the start of the course. A decision will be made on whether the course will run, based on confirmed and accepted places, 4 weeks before the start date of the course. Any applications received after the 4 week deadline will only be processed at the discretion of the Programmes Lead / Course Lead.

"I have never been in such a creative, free, wonderful environment to learn. The mix of students is just buzzing. I have felt it such a privilege to have been allowed to be present. Our tutor was such a delight....and I hope she continues teaching in her wonderfully human, but knowledgeable way."

A. Davey - Diploma in Supervision Graduate

"On the Supervision Course I learnt a lot about how to be a supervisor and it has given me confidence to go out and put my new knowledge and skills into practice. But more than that the tutor facilitated a truly responsive learning space that made the experience unique. The best course I have ever done!"

Miya Bond - Diploma in Supervision Graduate

I would recommend the course as it offers insight into a range of models, provides a broad selection of interesting additional reading materials and learning, and gives equal priority to classroom learning and practical skills sessions, resulting in well-rounded knowledge of theory and practice"  N. Cosgrove, Diploma in Supervision Graduate

Do other qualifications, not in counselling / psychotherapy (e.g. in social care, health, education etc.), enable me to apply for the Diploma in Supervision course?:
No, this programme is only available to those who are fully qualified, practising counsellors or psychotherapists

Are there interviews as part of the application process for the Diploma in Supervision course? / What should I include in the application personal statement?:
There are no interviews for this course. Applicants will, however, need to submit a personal statement as part of their application detailing how they meet the eligibility criteria for the course and why they wish to undertake the training. This must include information on their work (within a relevant helping profession) and the qualifications / training which enables them to undertake this work.  

Is there any funding available for the Diploma in Supervision?:
Unfortunately, there is no specific funding available for the Diploma in Supervision course. 

Are there any extra-curricular requirements on the Diploma in Supervision course?:
Beyond the taught hours and additional recommended reading, you will also need to actively engage in a process of self-reflection as you progress through the course. There is also a requirement to complete a journal and a written assignment. At the end of the course is a practicum assessment - the practice of supervision in a live session of 20 minutes’ duration.

Do I need to supervise others / undertake supervision myself while studying on the Diploma in Supervision?:
Yes, students will need to supervise a minimum of 1 supervisee during the course and achieve a minimum of 5 hours of practice as a supervisor, and will need to submit a log which includes brief notes on the 5 hours of supervision given. 

Students will also need to be in supervision themselves, and receive supervision on their supervision on a regular monthly basis.

What are the attendance requirements?:
Students should aim to attend all 12 days, and the minimum attendance criteria is 9.5 days out of 12. You can therefore still pass the attendance requirement of this course if you miss up to 2.5 days, by ‘making up’ the learning in the ways described in the course handbook, but 3 or more missed days mean you cannot meet the attendance criteria to pass the course. 

Dr Marilyn McGowan

Dr Marilyn McGowan has an extensive portfolio in counselling training and her commitment to counselling children and young people has also led her to develop CPD courses at national and international levels, within statutory and voluntary sectors, for fellow professionals involved in supporting vulnerable young people and their families. She is a member of BACP’s Expert Reference Group – Children and Young People Counselling.

Read more about Marilyn.

Sarah Carcillo 

Sarah has worked as a qualified therapist, clinical supervisor, and trainer since the mid 90s. She has extensive qualifications and experience in the counselling, supervisory and training sector including working with online and telephone counselling. Sarah used to train Childline, NSPCC volunteers and staff to use online modalities for over ten years.

In addition, she has taught mental health professionals the art of using online options to support clients with enduring and complex issues.