The ACFC Professional Training Pathway in Child and Family Therapeutic Coaching
This is not a short course. It is not a certificate you print and never look at again. It is a professional training pathway designed for people who take working with children and families seriously.
The Association of Child and Family Coaches offers a structured, accredited progression route from foundational knowledge through to advanced specialist practice. Across three levels, learners build a coherent professional identity as a Child and Family Therapeutic Coach — grounded in child development, attachment, emotional regulation, family systems, therapeutic play, creative expression, ethics and safeguarding, neurodiversity-affirming approaches, and reflective practice.
At Practitioner and Advanced level, learners also complete a specialist pathway certificate, enabling them to develop a focused area of expertise alongside the core professional qualification.
At Practitioner and Advanced level, learners also complete a specialist pathway certificate, enabling them to develop a focused area of expertise alongside the core professional qualification.
Children and families deserve better than tick-box training"
The coaching and therapeutic support sector for children and families is inconsistently regulated. Short courses, online certificates and surface-level programmes are widely available. Many well-intentioned practitioners enter this space without the knowledge, boundaries or reflective frameworks they need to work safely.
That matters. Because the children and families who come to you for support are often navigating some of the most difficult experiences of their lives. Trauma. Relational breakdown. Emotional dysregulation. Neurodivergence. School difficulties. Family transitions. Attachment disruption. Parental overwhelm. Loss of confidence and identity.
Working alongside people at these points requires more than warmth and good intentions. It requires:
This pathway brings all of that together — coherently, progressively, and at a level of depth that prepares practitioners for the reality of this work.
That matters. Because the children and families who come to you for support are often navigating some of the most difficult experiences of their lives. Trauma. Relational breakdown. Emotional dysregulation. Neurodivergence. School difficulties. Family transitions. Attachment disruption. Parental overwhelm. Loss of confidence and identity.
Working alongside people at these points requires more than warmth and good intentions. It requires:
- A secure understanding of child development across cognitive, social and emotional domains
- Knowledge of attachment theory and its impact on behaviour, trust and relationships
- Understanding of co-regulation, nervous system responses and the science of emotional safety
- Competence in therapeutic communication, including non-verbal, play-based and creative approaches
- Awareness of family systems, complexity, and the wider contextual factors shaping a child's experience
- Clarity about boundaries, safeguarding responsibilities, scope of role and when to refer
- Neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed and culturally sensitive practice
- A commitment to ethical accountability and ongoing reflective development
This pathway brings all of that together — coherently, progressively, and at a level of depth that prepares practitioners for the reality of this work.
Level 3 — Foundation Certificate in Child and Family Therapeutic Coaching |
Level 5 — Practitioner Certificate in Child and Family Therapeutic Coaching + Specialist Pathway Certificate |
Level 6 — Advanced Certificate in Child and Family Therapeutic Coaching + Specialist Pathway Certificate |
TQUK Endorsed · 4 units · For learners beginning their professional journey |
TQUK Endorsed Professional Diploma · 8 units (core) · For learners entering professional practice |
For experienced practitioners moving into advanced, specialist or leadership practice · 8 units (core) |
The Foundation Certificate introduces the principles, ethics and professional responsibilities of coaching and therapeutic practice with children and families. Learners explore child development, family dynamics, communication, cultural sensitivity, therapeutic techniques and professional accountability. This qualification is the ideal starting point before progressing to Level 5 study, and provides a robust grounding for anyone considering this as a professional direction. |
The Practitioner Certificate is a substantial professional qualification. Across 8 units, learners develop a comprehensive, integrated understanding of child and family therapeutic coaching — from the nature of the role and scope of practice through to advanced planning, delivery and evaluation of therapeutic coaching programmes. Learners study child and adolescent development, attachment, emotional regulation, co-regulation, play and creativity, therapeutic communication, inclusive and neurodiversity-affirming practice, family systems, working with complexity, ethics, safeguarding, and professional reflective development. Alongside the core, learners choose one of five specialist pathway certificates to develop a focused area of practice. |
The Advanced Certificate is for practitioners who want to deepen their professional capability, work with greater complexity, and move towards leadership-informed, research-engaged practice. Learners critically evaluate advanced theories and integrative models, develop formulation skills for complex cases, engage with trauma, adversity and relational repair at an advanced level, strengthen neurodiversity-affirming and disability-aware practice, and develop leadership, supervision and multi-agency capability. Learners complete a practitioner enquiry, a service development or advocacy proposal, and a reflective portfolio synthesising their advanced professional identity. |
