The Professional Development Award (PDA) in Counselling Supervision is designed to equip experienced counselling practitioners with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to take on a clinical supervisory role. Jointly awarded with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), this SCQF Level 11 qualification sets a consistent and nationally recognised standard for counselling supervision training. The course qualifies you to practice as a clinical supervisor in the UK.
Supervision is an ethical requirement for counselling practice and essential for ensuring safe, effective, and reflective client work. This course provides a deep understanding of the theories, models, and practical approaches to supervision, tailored for those working with adult supervisees in a variety of counselling contexts, including face-to-face and online modalities.

Why Choose This Qualification?
- Gain a qualification jointly awarded by BACP and the SQA.
- Build advanced supervisory skills to support supervisees ethically and effectively.
- Enhance your career prospects within counselling supervision.
- Fulfil the increasing demand for qualified supervisors in counselling practice.
What you will learn
Through this comprehensive course, you will:
- Understand the facilitative role and responsibilities of a counselling supervisor.
- Explore the theoretical models and approaches that underpin professional supervision.
- Gain practical experience in establishing and maintaining effective supervisory relationships.
- Learn to support supervisees sensitively and ethically, enabling them to work effectively with their clients.
- Develop leadership and management skills specific to group supervision settings.
- Build competence in remote supervision using audio, text, email, and blended approaches.
Course structure
This qualification comprises three mandatory units:
- Counselling Supervision: Introduction
Gain foundational knowledge about the role of the supervisor, including ethical practice and the supervisory relationship. - Counselling: Theoretical Models and Approaches in Professional Clinical Supervision
Explore key theories and principles that inform supervision and learn how to apply them in practice. - Counselling Supervision: Practice
Engage in supervised practice, logging a minimum of 20 hours of supervision with at least two supervisees and one hour of consultative supervision per month.
Course entry requirements
To apply, candidates must:
- Have a minimum of 450 client hours in counselling/psychotherapy practice.
- Possess two years‘ post-qualifying experience.
- Be a registered member of a professional body adhering to an ethical framework (e.g., BACP).
- Have appropriate supervision arrangements in place with access to at least two supervisees.
- Demonstrate knowledge of remote supervision tools and practices.
Assessment
Assessments include a combination of:
- Written portfolios and reflective journals.
- Peer group work and practical demonstrations.
- Logged supervision practice hours with consultative supervision.
Attendance is critical, with a minimum 80% attendance requirement (90% for some funding bodies).
Course dates and delivery
This course is delivered entirely online via Zoom, offering flexibility and accessibility for learners. Sessions are interactive, with a blend of live lectures, group discussions, and practical exercises.

This 12-day online course takes place fortnightly on Fridays.
2025 Course Dates
Course Day | Date | Day | Time |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 25 Apr 2025 | Friday | 9:30am – 4:30pm |
2 | 09 May 2025 | Friday | 9:30am – 4:30pm |
3 | 23 May 2025 | Friday | 9:30am – 4:30pm |
4 | 6 Jun 2025 | Friday | 9:30am – 4:30pm |
5 | 20 Jun 2025 | Friday | 9:30am – 4:30pm |
6 | 04 Jul 2025 | Friday | 9:30am – 4:30pm |
7 | 18 Jul 2025 | Friday | 9:30am – 4:30pm |
8 | 01 Aug 2025 | Friday | 9:30am – 4:30pm |
9 | 15 Aug 2025 | Friday | 9:30am – 4:30pm |
10 | 29 Aug 2025 | Friday | 9:30am – 4:30pm |
11 | 12 Sep 2025 | Friday | 9:30am – 4:30pm |
12 | 26 Sep 2025 | Friday | 9:30am – 4:30pm |