Key Facts
Supporting families where neurodiversity is part of everyday life requires deep knowledge, empathy, and advanced skills. This diploma is designed for experienced practitioners who want to specialise in coaching children, young people, and families with a wide range of neurodiverse profiles, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, sensory processing differences, and other cognitive variations.
On this programme, you’ll learn to blend neuroscience, psychology, and inclusive coaching approaches to help families thrive. You’ll also develop leadership skills so you can influence practice, guide teams, and contribute to positive change in schools, community services, or private practice.
Normally a Level 5 qualification in coaching (such as our programmes), youth work, early years, psychology, social care, or equivalent professional experience is required for entry. However, please contact us if you feel you have appropriate lived or work experiences, please do apply!
Upon completion of the qualification, you will receive a qualification certificate from the Skills and Education Group's Quality Licence Scheme, one of the UK's largest Ofqual regulated awarding organisations, and the opportunity to become a member of the professional coaching and psychotherapy body, the ACCPH. Additionally, you will receive automatic entry to the Association of Child and Family Coaches (ACFC), fully meeting their ethical framework. With the qualification and membership, you will be entitled to apply for professional insurance with Westminster Indemnity, allowing you to work as a Therapeutic Coach or Practitioner with your own Therapy or Coaching Practice Setting.
On this programme, you’ll learn to blend neuroscience, psychology, and inclusive coaching approaches to help families thrive. You’ll also develop leadership skills so you can influence practice, guide teams, and contribute to positive change in schools, community services, or private practice.
- Level 6 qualification, designed for advanced practitioners.
- Focus on autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and other neurodiverse experiences.
- Learn inclusive, strengths-based, and family-centred coaching approaches.
- Blend neuroscience, trauma-informed practice, and creative coaching strategies.
- Develop practitioner-research skills to evidence and shape your work.
- Suitable for family coaches, educators, SEN specialists, and wellbeing professionals and parents with a strong interest in developing their knowledge and skills.
Normally a Level 5 qualification in coaching (such as our programmes), youth work, early years, psychology, social care, or equivalent professional experience is required for entry. However, please contact us if you feel you have appropriate lived or work experiences, please do apply!
Upon completion of the qualification, you will receive a qualification certificate from the Skills and Education Group's Quality Licence Scheme, one of the UK's largest Ofqual regulated awarding organisations, and the opportunity to become a member of the professional coaching and psychotherapy body, the ACCPH. Additionally, you will receive automatic entry to the Association of Child and Family Coaches (ACFC), fully meeting their ethical framework. With the qualification and membership, you will be entitled to apply for professional insurance with Westminster Indemnity, allowing you to work as a Therapeutic Coach or Practitioner with your own Therapy or Coaching Practice Setting.
Syllabus
Syllabus
The diploma begins with a deep dive into the science and psychology of neurodiversity. You’ll explore how different neurodevelopmental profiles are understood through research, as well as the lived experience of children, young people, and families. You’ll critically evaluate the medical and social models of disability, and how cultural and societal attitudes affect family wellbeing.
You’ll then move on to advanced family dynamics in the context of neurodiversity, looking at how neurodivergence shapes relationships, identity, and resilience. This includes exploring sibling experiences, parent stress, and intergenerational perspectives, as well as the impact of school, community, and digital environments on family life.
A central part of the programme is focused on coaching approaches and interventions tailored for neurodiverse families. You’ll learn practical strategies for building trust, reducing stress, supporting emotional regulation, and strengthening communication within families. You’ll also practise adapting creative and play-based coaching interventions to suit different neurodevelopmental needs and sensory profiles.
The diploma places strong emphasis on inclusion and accessibility. You’ll develop advanced skills in designing accessible coaching environments, adapting communication, and addressing barriers that neurodiverse children and families often face. You’ll also examine how to advocate for families in multi-agency contexts and ensure coaching practice aligns with equality and anti-discrimination frameworks.
You’ll also become a practitioner-researcher, designing and carrying out a small-scale inquiry into neurodiversity coaching practice. This gives you the opportunity to generate new insights, measure outcomes, and build an evidence base to strengthen your own practice and influence the wider field.
Finally, you’ll refine your ability to act as a reflective leader in neurodiversity coaching. You’ll explore ethical issues, professional boundaries, and safeguarding considerations, and build your own leadership framework. This prepares you not only to coach effectively, but also to guide others, shape organisational culture, and advocate for systemic change in how neurodiverse families are supported.
The diploma begins with a deep dive into the science and psychology of neurodiversity. You’ll explore how different neurodevelopmental profiles are understood through research, as well as the lived experience of children, young people, and families. You’ll critically evaluate the medical and social models of disability, and how cultural and societal attitudes affect family wellbeing.
You’ll then move on to advanced family dynamics in the context of neurodiversity, looking at how neurodivergence shapes relationships, identity, and resilience. This includes exploring sibling experiences, parent stress, and intergenerational perspectives, as well as the impact of school, community, and digital environments on family life.
A central part of the programme is focused on coaching approaches and interventions tailored for neurodiverse families. You’ll learn practical strategies for building trust, reducing stress, supporting emotional regulation, and strengthening communication within families. You’ll also practise adapting creative and play-based coaching interventions to suit different neurodevelopmental needs and sensory profiles.
The diploma places strong emphasis on inclusion and accessibility. You’ll develop advanced skills in designing accessible coaching environments, adapting communication, and addressing barriers that neurodiverse children and families often face. You’ll also examine how to advocate for families in multi-agency contexts and ensure coaching practice aligns with equality and anti-discrimination frameworks.
You’ll also become a practitioner-researcher, designing and carrying out a small-scale inquiry into neurodiversity coaching practice. This gives you the opportunity to generate new insights, measure outcomes, and build an evidence base to strengthen your own practice and influence the wider field.
Finally, you’ll refine your ability to act as a reflective leader in neurodiversity coaching. You’ll explore ethical issues, professional boundaries, and safeguarding considerations, and build your own leadership framework. This prepares you not only to coach effectively, but also to guide others, shape organisational culture, and advocate for systemic change in how neurodiverse families are supported.
Assessment
Assessments
Learners will be assessed through a portfolio-based approach, ensuring they can demonstrate both theoretical understanding and practical application of advanced therapeutic play techniques. The assessment methods include:
Each unit's evidence will be compiled into a comprehensive portfolio, which will be assessed against the learning outcomes and professional competencies of the course. The flexible nature of the assignments ensures accessibility for learners working in different professional settings.
Learners will be assessed through a portfolio-based approach, ensuring they can demonstrate both theoretical understanding and practical application of advanced therapeutic play techniques. The assessment methods include:
- Case Study Evaluations – Learners will analyse real or simulated case studies, identifying best practices, ethical considerations, and areas for intervention.
- Intervention Plans – Learners will design and justify intervention plans tailored to different needs, such as trauma, neurodiversity, and family engagement.
- Reflective Practice Journals – Ongoing self-reflection and critical analysis of their learning journey, including personal insights and areas for professional growth.
- Research Projects – Learners will conduct research on a relevant topic, critically evaluating literature, ethical considerations, and implications for practice.
- Practical Application Tasks – Learners will develop, trial, and evaluate therapeutic play strategies, demonstrating the ability to apply knowledge in a practical setting.
- Written Assignments – Learners will submit essays or reports exploring key theoretical frameworks, leadership in play practice, and advocacy strategies.
- Professional Discussion & Supervision Reflections – Learners may engage in recorded professional discussions or reflections on supervision experiences, highlighting best practices and ethical considerations.
Each unit's evidence will be compiled into a comprehensive portfolio, which will be assessed against the learning outcomes and professional competencies of the course. The flexible nature of the assignments ensures accessibility for learners working in different professional settings.
F.A.Qs
Can I run a therapeutic practice with this course?
Upon completion of this course, which is certified by the Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation, CACHE, you will be able to apply for professional membership with the ACCPH. The ACCPH is a professional body for coaches, counsellors, and psychotherapists. With their membership, you will be able to apply for insurance to practice. You are also able to list your services on their site. Please bear in mind, that to practice, you will need to take additional considerations for working with children, young people, and vulnerable adults, including undertaking an enhanced DBS certificate.
Is the course online?
The course is a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous in its learning but is entirely online. You will complete a mixture of live online sessions over the Zoom platform, engaging in the practical skills to enhance your therapeutic role from the skills you learnt in your Level 3 Therapeutic Play Techniques and/or Level 5 Therapeutic Play Coaching Diplomas. In addition, you will study the knowledge-based elements via our online, interactive platform.
What happens if I don't complete on time?
Firstly, we understand that life happens. If you get into any issues with timings, please reach out. The course is not an easy course, it is a level 6 qualification. However, we are here to help. You can also book 121 sessions with your tutor if you need additional support. If you need longer, let us know. The stipulations are as follows (as per our T&Cs) - you must make a submission inside a 365 day period, or you will become deregisterd. You are also required to complete within a 3-year period, as per awarding organisation requirements.
Do I receive a certificate?
You will receive your level 6 certificate from CACHE, the awarding body, and an accredited certificate from the ACCPH, and a badge of excellence from the Association of Child and Family Coaches. CACHE certificates take up to 12 weeks after completion to arrive. Please note, we send certificates once all payments are settled if you have chosen to pay by installments.
What if I have not studied at level 6 before?
Level 6 is equivalent in its level of study to the third year of an undergraduate degree. Due to the contents of the course, you will have been required to meet one of the following:
- The Level 3 in therapeutic Play Techniques and a Level 5 in an allied subject such as early Years or Education (or the Level 3 plus related demonstratable experience equivalent to the level 5)
- The Level 5 in Therapeutic Play Coaching.
With the above, and our support with the academic demands, you will be able to succeed at level 6.
When can I start?
At NCCE, we have rolling start dates. You can begin your learning at any time. Once you have paid for your course, or paid your deposit, you will be given access to your personalised portfolio within 24 hours.
How long does it take?
When you first enrol with us, you will develop a Personal Learning Plan with your tutor, adding target dates that you can fit around your current commitments and lifestyle. We recommend that you spend between 4 and 6 weeks on a unit or block, but that can be extended or shortened. You have control over your learning journey and we support you every step of the way.
What support do I get?
At NCCE, all our qualifications are delivered through a blend of online interactive learning with as many 121 live sessions on Zoom with your personal tutor as you need. These sessions are available to book in the day, evening, and during a weekend using your tutor's interactive calendar, which is accessible directly from your NCCE Learning Centre account.
What if I have more questions?
Please click on "Talk to Us!" at the top of this page and we will reach out to you!
Upon completion of this course, which is certified by the Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation, CACHE, you will be able to apply for professional membership with the ACCPH. The ACCPH is a professional body for coaches, counsellors, and psychotherapists. With their membership, you will be able to apply for insurance to practice. You are also able to list your services on their site. Please bear in mind, that to practice, you will need to take additional considerations for working with children, young people, and vulnerable adults, including undertaking an enhanced DBS certificate.
Is the course online?
The course is a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous in its learning but is entirely online. You will complete a mixture of live online sessions over the Zoom platform, engaging in the practical skills to enhance your therapeutic role from the skills you learnt in your Level 3 Therapeutic Play Techniques and/or Level 5 Therapeutic Play Coaching Diplomas. In addition, you will study the knowledge-based elements via our online, interactive platform.
What happens if I don't complete on time?
Firstly, we understand that life happens. If you get into any issues with timings, please reach out. The course is not an easy course, it is a level 6 qualification. However, we are here to help. You can also book 121 sessions with your tutor if you need additional support. If you need longer, let us know. The stipulations are as follows (as per our T&Cs) - you must make a submission inside a 365 day period, or you will become deregisterd. You are also required to complete within a 3-year period, as per awarding organisation requirements.
Do I receive a certificate?
You will receive your level 6 certificate from CACHE, the awarding body, and an accredited certificate from the ACCPH, and a badge of excellence from the Association of Child and Family Coaches. CACHE certificates take up to 12 weeks after completion to arrive. Please note, we send certificates once all payments are settled if you have chosen to pay by installments.
What if I have not studied at level 6 before?
Level 6 is equivalent in its level of study to the third year of an undergraduate degree. Due to the contents of the course, you will have been required to meet one of the following:
- The Level 3 in therapeutic Play Techniques and a Level 5 in an allied subject such as early Years or Education (or the Level 3 plus related demonstratable experience equivalent to the level 5)
- The Level 5 in Therapeutic Play Coaching.
With the above, and our support with the academic demands, you will be able to succeed at level 6.
When can I start?
At NCCE, we have rolling start dates. You can begin your learning at any time. Once you have paid for your course, or paid your deposit, you will be given access to your personalised portfolio within 24 hours.
How long does it take?
When you first enrol with us, you will develop a Personal Learning Plan with your tutor, adding target dates that you can fit around your current commitments and lifestyle. We recommend that you spend between 4 and 6 weeks on a unit or block, but that can be extended or shortened. You have control over your learning journey and we support you every step of the way.
What support do I get?
At NCCE, all our qualifications are delivered through a blend of online interactive learning with as many 121 live sessions on Zoom with your personal tutor as you need. These sessions are available to book in the day, evening, and during a weekend using your tutor's interactive calendar, which is accessible directly from your NCCE Learning Centre account.
What if I have more questions?
Please click on "Talk to Us!" at the top of this page and we will reach out to you!
