Hayley Bruce

Hayley Bruce is a graduate of Place2Be’s Level 5 Certificate in Child Counselling Skills for Adult Counsellors.

Jaynie Boyce

Jaynie Boyce is a graduate of Place2Be’s Level 5 Certificate in Child Counselling Skills for Adult Counsellors.

Following their qualification from Place2Be’s CPCAB-accredited Level 5 counselling course, Hayley and Jaynie reflected on their experiences. They highlighted Place2Be’s inclusive, practice-led approach and the meaningful connections built during their learning journey.

Can you tell us about yourself and why you joined the Level 5 course at Place2Be?

H: I’ve been working as a mental health practitioner at Place2Be for two academic years to support 10 to 18-year-olds across several schools. I trained as an art psychotherapist using psychodynamic theory and this was my first role post-qualification.

J: I was training in Transactional Analysis psychotherapy with adults, but always felt drawn to working with children. After volunteering with Childline, I began a placement with Place2Be and loved it. My School Project Manager (SPM) suggested the Level 5 course, and it felt like the perfect next step.

How was your experience on the Level 5 course? What’s been the most rewarding part for you?

H: I really enjoyed it! It allowed me to put my master's into practice through placements and connect theory with real-world applications. The most rewarding part was affirming my understanding and applying it in actual settings.

J: It’s such a valuable experience. The best part has been developing my skills and theoretical knowledge. Applying theory helped me work more in-depth with children and young people. Seeing them grow and develop resilience has been inspiring.

What was your favourite aspect of the course?

H: The face-to-face workshops and learning alongside people from diverse backgrounds and modalities. We were brought together by an excellent tutor who gave us space to explore, challenge, and try things out. We got a flavour of different interventions and techniques.

J: The support from tutors and peers was incredible. The content is engaging and having a community of like-minded people around made a huge difference. It boosted my confidence. I also appreciated how inclusive and supportive the course was regarding neurodivergence. As someone recently diagnosed with ADHD, I felt very seen and supported.

How did the course help you develop professionally and personally?

H: This course gave me the chance to solidify my knowledge and practise articulating my thinking. I was able to do that safely, with curiosity and challenge from other practitioners, which helped me grow.

J: Professionally, it gave me skills and confidence to work more effectively with young people by deepening my theoretical knowledge. Personally, it’s been a journey of self-growth. I’ve become even more self-aware. The inclusive and flexible design meant I could learn in a way that worked for me.

Watch Jaynie talk about her experience:

How did this course equip you for working in the field?

H: I already worked in this field, but the course helped me strengthen that foundation.

J: It gave me a solid foundation in theory and the confidence to work with children and young people. The hands-on experience was especially helpful.

How has this course impacted your career moving forward? What are you most excited about after completing the Level 5 course?

H: It's helped me focus more specifically on children and young people. It allows me to evidence my skills with that client group. I’m keen to develop further and progress onto the Level 6 supervisory skills course.

J: It’s already had a huge impact! Since completing it, I’ve opened my private practice to under-16s, which I wasn’t ready for before. I’m excited to grow my practice and see where this path takes me.

What advice would you give someone considering enrolling on the Level 5 course at Place2Be?

H: I'd advise anyone to do it — but know it takes commitment and time. The learning and sharing experience is invaluable, as is the experiential learning it brings.

J: Go for it! It’s so rewarding. It’s challenging, but you’ll learn so much. The support is fantastic. If you’re passionate about working with young people, it’s definitely worth it.

What would you say to someone nervous or unsure about starting the course?

H: The tutors are extremely supportive. The course builds on your knowledge unit by unit and allows different ways to demonstrate your learning. It’s obtainable in bite-sized chunks. The people I learnt with were supportive and we stayed in contact. You learn from text, workshops, yourself, and each other. It’s such a rich experience.

J: Feeling nervous is normal! Butterflies can be nerves but also excitement. You’ll be supported every step of the way by tutors, your SPM, and peers. You’ll likely surprise yourself with your growth! If you’re neurodivergent, don’t let that hold you back — there’s support to help you thrive.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience with the Level 5 course at Place2Be?

H: The course is a great way to build your skills and confidence when working with children and young people — with support, safety and creativity.

J: The course has been brilliant. I loved how we got to play and be creative — it made learning fun! Working with children is a joy because they are wonderfully honest. They remind you to see the world through their eyes. Staying curious and learning from them is so important. Thank you, Place2Be!

Join Place2Be's Level 5 course and become part of a supportive and inclusive learning community.

Find out about our Level 5 Certificate