Employability
IFT courses are the standard course for preparing and training people to work in the NHS as family therapists either in Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) or Adult Mental Health Services. In order to apply for Family Therapy posts in the NHS, applicants must have successfully completed an MSc in Family and Systemic […]
Educational guidance
All tutors take responsibility for developing ways to support students who have specific learning needs. As many of the articles are provided electronically or on a USB flash drive, students can print out course materials in a font or one-coloured paper that facilitates appropriate access. Students are also provided with information about an app that […]
Wellbeing, mental health and student support
IFT takes seriously its commitment to supporting wellbeing and good mental health. Courses have personal and professional development requirements embedded in the course construction. This attends to issues that might arise from working in a therapeutic environment and learning about traumatic topics such as child sexual exploitation and family violence. If tutors are concerned about […]
Inclusive practice
The Institute uses a range of teaching and learning methods including PowerPoint presentations, use of recorded material to illustrate practice, reading seminars, student presentations, case consultations and demonstrations. Many courses use guest speakers who are leaders in the subject field in order to maintain the quality of the teaching and to employ cutting edge theory […]
Financial support and tuition fees
Training is free at the point of delivery for students accessing agency-based training courses. For those accessing all other courses, students either finance themselves or are wholly or partly funded by their employer. A small number take advantage of student loans. Tuition fees are maintained at the lowest level possible to be competitive with other […]
Induction and transition events; academic support
Courses have open evenings prior to the application process when tutors can explain the content of the courses, the professional and academic status and the process for application. Successful students have registration and induction days in which the course content is outlined in more detail as are the course requirements. For those progressing onto the […]
Accessing available facilities
In order to maintain IFT’s relevance to professionals working with children and families in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors, courses reflect the changing demands of professional standards. IFT maintains close connections with professional workforce development teams to review and refresh courses. All students are given access to the Institute’s library where they can photocopy […]
Recruitment process
Validated courses All validated courses have a dual application process between the Institute and the University of Bedfordshire. There is a RPEL Process for those applicants who might not have the traditional formal educational qualifications. All applicants must demonstrate their ability to work directly with families/ children/couples in order to support their practice development. Advice […]
Programme portfolio
The Institute provides a range of courses that are validated by the University of Bedfordshire and an additional range that are non-validated. Validated courses These are also professionally accredited by the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice, the ‘blue book’ for practice training and the ‘red book’ for supervision training. Students who successfully progress […]
Outreach activity
The purpose of the Institute’s outreach activity is to offer systemic training to the widest range of students possible. IFT provides an annual open workshop programme that can be accessed by anyone interested in the programme topics, which are delivered by national and international presenters. Participants receive a continuous professional certificate for the training hours […]