COSCA Training
SACC training courses are validated by COSCA. We use experienced trainers and can provide courses at locations to suit local agencies. SACC’s main focus is on training volunteer alcohol counsellors – see our volunteer alcohol counsellor training pathway
We also provide information and advice on standards of practice for agencies who work with volunteer alcohol counsellors. Organisational guidance is available on our resources page.
For more information on SACC training or using volunteer alcohol counsellors please contact SACC Manager Michaela on 07934 295047 or email: michaela@scotacc.org
Counselling People Towards Behaviour Change
SACC’s 30 hour Counselling People Towards Behaviour Change course is a specialist course validated by COSCA. It is aimed primarily at people wishing to train as volunteer alcohol counsellors but is also relevant to counselling students, on placement within alcohol/addictions agencies, and other workers who have generic counselling skills.
The course builds on generic counselling skills – such as the COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate – to give participants an understanding of alcohol use and counselling to support behaviour change.
All participants must evidence their readiness and suitability for further counselling training before acceptance onto the course.
The training involves 30 hours face-to face learning – provided over weekends or evening sessions.
Course units include input on:
- alcohol knowledge
- theory and ethics
- theories, concepts and models of behaviour
- the transtheoretical model of change
- introduction to Motivational Interviewing
- beginnings, middles and endings
- significant others.
Participants take part in skills practice linked to theory learned throughout the course.
Significant background reading is required and participants must maintain self-reflective logs over the duration of the course and produce a final 1000-1500 word assignment.
Our trainers provide assessment and feedback for participants throughout the course.
Full attendance and completion of all course work leads to a Certificate in Counselling People Towards Behaviour Change, awarded jointly by SACC and COSCA.
Our Aims and Learning Outcomes overview provides participants with a fuller description of what they will gain from the course and is available here
Certificate in Advanced Alcohol Counselling Skills
SACC’s Certificate in Advanced Alcohol Counselling Skills is aimed primarily at people who have time to offer as a volunteer alcohol counsellor. It involves 120 hours supervised practice with a SACC member organisation.
Acceptance onto the supervised practice element of the training requires successful completion of the Counselling People Towards Behaviour Change course and a selection process with the host agency.
It involves of 120 hours of supervised counselling practice and development of a portfolio within an appropriate alcohol agency over at least 2 years.
Aims and Learning Outcomes for the Certificate in Advanced Alcohol Counselling Skills provides an overview of the knowledge and skills participants will acquire over the duration of the training. Available here
When completed, participants’ portfolios are submitted for assessment by a SACC accreditation panel. Successful participants are awarded the COSCA validated Certificate in Advanced Alcohol Counselling Skills.
Current participants and practice supervisors can download all necessary guidance and required templates in our Resources page
Please note that you will need a password to access these.
Contact Michaela (SACC Manager) on 07934 295047 or email: michaela@scotacc.org
