Applications for Systemic Training at the Institute of Family Therapy
Dual Qualification and Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL)
Policy Purpose and Guidelines
This document sets out the policy and procedures for assessing and accrediting an applicant’s learning and experience which does not meet the standard entry requirements. It does not deal with academic requirements (i.e. for a first degree). Applicants who do not have a first degree should discuss this with the IFT Course Chair and / or the academic Programme Director for the course at the University. It is for the University to decide whether a would-be applicant meets their academic requirements and / or how ability to work at the appropriate level might be demonstrated.
Section 3: Dual Qualification
It is recognised that there will be some exceptions to the traditional routes to systemic training, and that some potential candidates for training have a qualification not recognised by AFT or otherwise bring exceptional knowledge, skills and experience.
Applicants who do not have recognised first / prior professional qualification (see list p.2), and who wish to claim equivalence should complete this section using the form below and submit it with their application form by. Applicants should complete the second column. The third column will be completed by the course in discussion with the applicant and will form the basis of any offer of a place.
Decisions will be made based on work settings and experience, taking into account the essential components of a prior professional qualification (see below) and how any shortfalls could be met.
Would-be applicants for Qualifying (MSc) level training should bear in mind the demanding nature of training and study at this level, and may wish to consider how to address any shortfalls at an earlier stage.
Essential Components Statement
Pre-training knowledge, skills and experience requirement
Developmental Psychology Mental Health issues in relation to adults
Mental health issues in relation to children
Candidates knowledge, skills and experience in each area
Requirements/
Recommendations to make up the shortfall/ supplement existing experience
learning and experience which does not meet the standard entry requirements. It does not deal with academic requirements (i.e. for a first degree). Applicants who do not have a first degree should discuss this with the IFT Course Chair and / or the academic Programme Director for the course at the University. It is for the University to decide whether a would-be applicant meets their academic requirements and / or how ability to work at the appropriate level might be demonstrated.
Section 3: Dual Qualification
It is recognised that there will be some exceptions to the traditional routes to systemic training, and that some potential candidates for training have a qualification not recognised by AFT or otherwise bring exceptional knowledge, skills and experience.
Applicants who do not have recognised first / prior professional qualification (see list p.2), and who wish to claim equivalence should complete this section using the form below and submit it with their application form by. Applicants should complete the second column. The third column will be completed by the course in discussion with the applicant and will form the basis of any offer of a place.
Decisions will be made based on work settings and experience, taking into account the essential components of a prior professional qualification (see below) and how any shortfalls could be met.
Would-be applicants for Qualifying (MSc) level training should bear in mind the demanding nature of training and study at this level, and may wish to consider how to address any shortfalls at an earlier stage.
Essential Components Statement
Pre-training knowledge, skills and experience requirement
Mental Health issues in relation to adults
Mental health issues in relation to children
Candidates knowledge, skills and experience in each area
Requirements/
Recommendations to make up the shortfall/ supplement existing experience
The public sector contexts including NHS, SS;
Experience of working in or with statutory services
Working in multi-disciplinary teams
Core professional issues;
Confidentiality, ethics etc
The public sector contexts including NHS, SS;
Experience of working in or with statutory services
Working in multi-disciplinary teams
Section 4: Process and Procedures
Would-be applicants for the Postgraduate (Intermediate) and MSc (Qualifying) level training may wish to discuss their position with the relevant Course Chair prior to submitting an application.
The appropriate forms (as above) according to the level of training and area of APEL claimed should be completed and submitted with the course application form and any relevant supporting documentation.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the information they wish to have taken into account is made available to the course chair. It will not be acceptable for an applicant to claim that a decision was reached based on incomplete information.
The applicant should make clear on the Application Form that they wish to be considered under the APEL Procedures.
No application will be considered without the simultaneous submission of the relevant APEL forms.
The application and APEL claim will be scrutinized and assessed by 2 members of the course staff, whose decision will be final.
Candidates whose APEL claims are not accepted will be given a reason/s for this.
An unsuccessful APEL claim does not preclude submission of a further claim for a subsequent course where the applicant has met the shortfalls identified in the meantime.
Acceptance of an APEL claim does not guarantee the offer of a place on the chosen course. Applicants will have to go through the usual entry procedures as any applicant.
3
Required Documentation Checklist
Postgraduate (Intermediate) Level Application:
Course Application Form
APEL Profile
APEL Statement of Equivalence (Foundation Level Learning Outcomes)
MSc Level Application:
If using APEL because no recognized intermediate training:
Course Application Form
APEL Profile
APEL Statement of Equivalence (to Intermediate level Learning Outcomes)
Clinical Practice Log: Session Summary
A4 Overview / Summary of Clinical Hours
If using APEL because no recognized prior professional qualification:
Course Application Form
Essential Components Statement
Any other such documentation that the applicant wishes to submit in support of their application.
If the applicant has completed a non-accredited course, it will be helpful to submit information about the course, such as course handbook, course programme, trainers, details of assignments and assessments.