Placement opportunities for our counselling students
Gain essential experience while we support your development every step of the way
Placements allow you to move from learning about counselling to practising it with real clients in a way that feels safe, supported and carefully held.
You will gain essential experience, build confidence in your skills and begin to understand what therapeutic work is really like in practice.
With structured supervision, ethical guidance and ongoing support, you can develop professionally while knowing you are not doing this alone.
- Integrate theory and skills from your course into real client work
- Practice counselling within a safe, supervised environment
- Build confidence working with different client needs
- Experience professional boundaries, record-keeping, ethics and real client relationships
- Enhance your employability and credibility for future roles
Placements are required to complete your Level 4 Diploma and are often a stepping stone to paid work, further specialism or private practice.
Supporting your counselling career
We take placement responsibility seriously. When you take a placement with us, you benefit from:
- Strong partnerships with established, reputable agencies in Cambridgeshire, surrounding areas and online
- Clear peer supervision from qualified supervisors during your placement
- Guidance in induction, ethical practice, record keeping and professional standards
- Support in obtaining insurance coverage and compliance with industry-standard placement agreements
- Ongoing support from tutors to help with issues, reflection and professional growth
We only work with agencies that meet professional standards for client safety, confidentiality, supervision and ethical practice.
Current placement partners
Our placements span from community support and charity work to wellbeing and therapy services:
Note
Partners and availability may change depending on capacity, client demand and placement match.
The Angels Foundation UK
Domestic-abuse charity in Cambridgeshire
Peterborough Counselling Centre
Counselling for individuals, couples, families, young people and employees under EAP (Employee Assistance Programme)
Cornerstone Pregnancy Advice Centre
Placement opportunities being explored (when available)
Placement essentials: what to expect and how it works
Starting placement can feel like a big step. The information below explains how placement works, what’s required and how we support you, so you can approach this stage feeling informed and prepared.
Quick guide
- Supervision + contract
- 100 client hours minimum
- Insurance + safeguarding checks
- Induction + ongoing support
What supervision will I receive during placement?
All client work must be supervised by a suitably qualified supervisor. Supervision must follow the partner’s and our ethical standards.
How many client hours are required?
For the Level 4 Diploma you are required to complete a minimum of 100 client-contact hours under formal contract, with at least five different clients, in a partner approved setting. Up to 49% of those hours may be online, and 51% must be in-person.
What insurance and legal requirements apply?
Prior to starting the placement, you must have valid personal liability/indemnity insurance, and undergo any required DBS or safeguarding checks if you will work with vulnerable groups. Ethical confidentiality and record-keeping policies apply.
Will there be a placement agreement?
A written placement agreement needs to be completed and signed by you, defining roles, client assignment, supervision, safety and boundaries.
What should I expect once my placement begins?
- An induction and orientation session with the partner
- Supervised counselling sessions, with clear records and confidentiality
- A safe, ethical and well-managed work environment
- Support and feedback from your supervisor and from Aloe tutors
- Help navigating logistic and professional requirements: contracts, insurance, client assignment, record-keeping and ethical practice
- A pathway toward qualification completion, professional registration or further specialism
Is placement guaranteed?
We endeavour to maintain robust relationships with local agencies, but placement availability depends on agency capacity, client demand and match between trainee and client needs. We encourage trainees to be open, flexible and proactive in seeking placement opportunities.
If there is no immediate placement available, we offer support to help you find suitable agencies, prepare applications, meet supervision/insurance requirements and support you throughout the search.
How to apply for placement
If you are enrolled or planning to enrol with Aloe Counselling, and wish to be considered for a placement, you will need to attend a placement discussion interview. Ask your tutor to arrange this.
You will be invited to talk through your goals, availability, preferences and readiness so we can support you in finding a suitable placement.
