On 13 December 2011 the Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies (CATS), the training arm of Action on Addiction, were delighted to attend the University of Bath Winter Graduation Ceremony held in the magnificent Bath Assembly Rooms where 21 Addictions Counselling Foundation Degree students and 7 BSc (Honours) students, 5 of whom were awarded first class degrees, graduated. Always a very rewarding and uplifting event, this ceremony was no different with the exception that, in the 6 years of delivering the FD course, the numbers of those graduating and attending the ceremony has grown year on year, and this time there were more than ever.

Always keen to provide the best possible service and take the lead in delivering courses of the highest standard, CATS will be offering an updated Addiction Foundation Degree course as from September 2012. As part of coming into line with new University of Bath assessment regulations, the course specification and the award remain the same, but the syllabus and assessments have been revised to reflect the changes in the field (for example more emphasis will be placed on the new recovery paradigm). Progression to the BSc (Honours) Degree can only be made upon successful completion of the Foundation Degree, an incentive to do the FD if you want an Honours Degree.

Applications for the 2012 Foundation Degree are being received for the October intake. If you believe a career in Addictions Counselling is for you, or you are already working in the field and would like to develop your career, apply as soon as possible to join us on one of our two selection days.

There are several other points which will be of interest to many of you. These include the fact that the Addictions Counselling Foundation Degree is now FDAP (Federation of Drugs and Alcohol Professionals) accredited, ensuring eligibility for counsellor accreditation and registration after building enough supervised practice.

Part-time students are now entitled to student loans for fees. This may well provide the ideal opportunity for those interested in developing their career and enable a part-funding arrangement with employers.

Despite the decrease in the number of placement agencies able to employ students who have carried out their placements with them, the percentage of graduates finding employment remains very encouraging.

Tim Leighton
Director of the Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies