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OCN Level 6 · Professional Qualification

Programme Curriculum

Holistic Sleep Coaching Programme

A progressive professional pathway designed to develop clinical reasoning, integrative assessment skills, and sustainable professional practice — built on a deep understanding of sleep as a multisystem process.

Modules · 4 Phases
0
Supervision Sessions / yr
0
Average Completion
0 mo
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OCN Level 6
Accredited

Self-paced
4 months avg

128 Clinical Supervision Sessions / yr

Written assignments & case analysis

Mapped to Level 6 outcomes

Programme Structure

Programme Progression

Four phases, each building deliberately on the previous one. Select a phase to explore its modules below.
1

Foundations

Modules 1-2

Relational Foundations

2

Sleep Biology

Modules 3–5

Biological Regulation

3

Clinical Integration

Modules 6–14

Multifactorial Assessment

4

Professional Practice

Modules 15-16

Sustainable Practice

Phase 01 · Foundations

Foundations of Attachment & Family-Centred Practice

This phase establishes the relational and theoretical foundations of holistic sleep practice. You will explore attachment theory, the neuroscience of connection and attunement, co-regulation, and family-centred care as the basis for ethical, responsive support.


The emphasis is on building professional relationships that integrate evidence-based knowledge with parental values and lived experience. This phase lays the groundwork for structured clinical reasoning and relationally informed practice.

Phase at a glance
Modules
2
Focus
Relational foundations
Core skill
Attachment-informed care
01

Attachment

Understanding attachment as the emotional and regulatory foundation of sleep and child development.

Topics covered
  • What is attachment and why does it matter?
  • Attachment theory and its application to sleep
  • Co-regulation and emotional availability
  • Supporting secure attachment in sleep contexts
02

Introduction to Sleep & Family-Centred Care

The context of sleep in modern family life and the principles of family-centred practice.

Topics covered
  • The broader context of family exhaustion
  • Sleep as part of whole-family wellbeing
  • Family-centred care principles
  • Cultural and contextual influences on sleep expectations

Phase 02 · Sleep Biology

Sleep Biology & Architecture

In this phase, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of sleep regulation systems, including circadian rhythms, sleep pressure, and developmental transitions across infancy and childhood.

 

You will learn to analyse sleep presentations through a biological and developmental lens, distinguishing between age-appropriate patterns and clinically relevant concerns. This strengthens your ability to assess complexity with clarity and precision.

Phase at a glance
Modules
3
Focus
Biological regulation
Core skill
Sleep science analysis
03

Sleep Biology

The importance, function, and biological basis of sleep.

Topics covered
  • Why sleep matters: functions and benefits
  • Sleep architecture and regulation systems
  • Biological foundations of sleep-wake cycles
  • Sleep across species and evolutionary context
04

Sleep Cycles Across the Lifespan

Sleep stages, developmental transitions, disorders, and parasomnias.

Topics covered
  • Types and features of different sleep stages
  • How sleep cycles change from infancy through adulthood
  • Developmental transitions and sleep regressions
  • Sleep disorders, pathology, and parasomnias
  • Normal vs. disordered sleep patterns
05

Sleep Hygiene, Routines & Environment

Environmental factors, bedtime routines, and safe sleep practices.

Topics covered
  • Sleep hygiene principles
  • Creating optimal sleep environments
  • Bedtime routines that support regulation
  • Safe sleep, bed-sharing, and SIDS risk reduction
  • Balancing safety with responsive practice
Phase 03 · Clinical Integration

Clinical Integration & Complex Case Analysis

Sleep rarely exists in isolation. In this phase, you will examine the interplay between sleep and feeding, temperament, neurodevelopment, medical considerations, family dynamics, and environmental factors.

This is the clinical depth that distinguishes holistic practice from technique-based approaches.
Phase at a glance
Modules
10
Focus
Multifactorial assessment
Core skill
Integrative clinical reasoning
06A

Client Experience & Consultation Skills

Professional consultation frameworks and client management.

Topics covered
  • Client suitability and ethical boundaries
  • Pre-consultation processes and expectation management
  • Counselling skills and consultation style
  • Time management and professional boundaries
  • Creating a professional client experience
06B

Sleep Strategies

Holistic sleep consultation process and practical recommendations.

Topics covered
  • The sleep consultation process
  • Gathering and interpreting sleep diary information
  • Making evidence-based, family-appropriate recommendations
  • Understanding the reasoning behind our rejection of non-responsive sleep training methods
  • Troubleshooting and adapting support
07

Child Temperament, Development, Behaviour & Parenting

Developmental milestones, temperament, and responsive behaviour strategies.

Topics covered
  • Temperament and personality differences
  • Gentle, age-appropriate behaviour strategies
  • Distinguishing behavioural wants vs. needs
  • Developmental milestones, stages, and phases
  • How development impacts sleep across childhood
08

Feeding Problems, Reflux, Colic & Wind

Feeding challenges and anatomical issues affecting sleep.

Topics covered
  • General feeding problems that can affect sleep
  • Breast and bottle feeding considerations
  • Reflux, silent reflux, and digestive discomfort
  • Colic and wind
  • Infant anatomical issues (tongue tie, laryngomalacia, etc.)
  • The relationship between feeding and sleep
09

Food, Eating & Nutrition

Nutrition, eating behaviours, and their impact on sleep.

Topics covered
  • Normal eating behaviour in children
  • Disordered eating and food refusal
  • Foods and nutrients that inhibit or promote sleep
  • Healing foods and nutritional support
  • Building a healthy relationship with food
10

Allergies & Intolerance

Allergic responses and intolerances affecting sleep and wellbeing.

Topics covered
  • How allergies affect sleep
  • Common food allergies and intolerances
  • Lactose intolerance
  • Identifying and managing allergic responses
  • Working with families to navigate elimination diets
11

Health

Health conditions and illness impact on sleep and family functioning.

Topics covered
  • Overview of health conditions that affect sleep
  • Common childhood illnesses and their impact
  • Supporting families during and after illness
  • The impact of illness on parents and siblings
  • When to refer to medical professionals
12

Anxiety & Sleep

The bidirectional relationship between anxiety and sleep in children and adults.

Topics covered
  • How anxiety affects sleep
  • Recognising anxiety in children
  • Supporting anxious children and families
  • Adult anxiety and parental mental health
  • Trauma-informed approaches to sleep support
13

Neurodivergence, Sensory Processing & Disability

Supporting sleep in children with developmental differences and sensory needs.

Topics covered
  • Differences, diversity, and disabilities associated with sleep challenges
  • Neurodevelopmental conditions (autism, ADHD, etc.)
  • Sensory processing differences
  • Adapting sleep support for neurodivergent children
  • Understanding medical complexity and sleep
14

Race, Culture & Structural Context

Cultural influences, racism, and structural factors in early parenting and sleep.

Topics covered
  • Racism and its impact on health and parenting
  • Cultural influences on sleep practices
  • Structural inequality and access to support
  • Providing culturally responsive care
  • Examining your own biases and assumptions
Phase 04 · Professional Practice

Professional Practice & Sustainable Business

Clinical depth without sustainable business means you cannot help families long-term. This phase addresses the reality that most practitioners struggle with: how to build a practice that actually works.


You will develop professional positioning, pricing confidence, marketing strategy, and client acquisition systems — not as an afterthought, but as essential professional competence. The emphasis is on building a values-led, ethically-grounded practice that supports your wellbeing.

Phase at a glance
Modules
2
Focus
Sustainable practice
Core skill
Business & communication
15

Professional Practice & Business Development

Building a sustainable, ethically-grounded sleep coaching practice.

Topics covered
  • Professional identity development and reflective practice
  • Positioning and marketing strategy that reflects your values
  • Pricing confidence: charging appropriately for skilled professional work
  • Client acquisition systems that feel authentic, not salesy
  • Building your online presence and finding your first clients
  • Sustainable practice systems that prevent burnout
  • Long-term business growth and professional development
16

Communication

Effective communication strategies with clients and families.

Topics covered
  • Professional communication principles
  • Navigating difficult conversations with confidence
  • Clear, compassionate, evidence-based language
  • Written and verbal communication skills
  • Maintaining professional boundaries through communication
  • Managing client expectations and scope of practice
OCN Level 6 · Professional Qualification

A glimpse of how learning feels here

Each module is structured enough to develop clinical depth, yet flexible enough to fit around your life. Access everything on any device, at any time.

  • Video-led lessons with accompanying written material
  • Interactive case studies to practise clinical reasoning
  • Live group supervision with programme founders
  • Self-paced — access on any device, anytime
  • Private community for peer learning and support
Apply to Programme
Modules
01 · Attachment
02 · Family Care
03 · Sleep Biology
04 · Sleep Cycles
05 · Environment
Progress
4 of 16 complete
Module 01
Foundations of Attachment
Lesson Notes
4.9★
Graduate rating
What You'll Gain

Learning Outcomes

By completion of this programme, graduates will be able to:

1

Clinical Practice

  • Apply structured clinical reasoning to complex, multifactorial sleep presentations
  • Critically appraise sleep research and evaluate quality of evidence
  • Integrate biological, developmental, and psychosocial factors into holistic assessment
  • Distinguish developmentally normal patterns from clinically significant presentations
  • Identify red flags requiring medical referral within defined professional scope
 

2

Structured Clinical Reasoning for Complex Cases

  • Provide family-centred, culturally responsive care
  • Communicate evidence-based recommendations without undermining parental confidence
  • Establish and maintain appropriate professional boundaries
  • Practice ethically within scope and refer appropriately to allied professionals
  • Engage in reflective practice and ongoing professional development

3

Clear Professional Scope & Sustainable Practice

  • Develop clear professional positioning and evidence-based service delivery
  • Build sustainable, values-led practice systems
  • Communicate professional value confidently and appropriately
  • Maintain professional wellbeing alongside client care

How You'll Be Assessed

Assessment Requirements

Assessment is designed to ensure you are ready to practise confidently and ethically — not to create barriers, but to develop genuine competence. If you do not pass on the first attempt, you receive detailed feedback and can resubmit.

1
Written Assignments
Demonstrate your understanding of core concepts through thoughtful, analytical written work.
2
Applied Case Analysis
Show integrated clinical reasoning by working through real-world family scenarios.
3
Reflective Practice
Submit reflective pieces that evidence your personal and professional growth throughout the programme.
4
Module Quizzes
Consolidate learning at the end of each module to build confidence and identify areas for revision.

A note on assessment

"Assessment should build your confidence — not test it into the ground."

Support is available throughout. Many of our students complete the programme having not studied for years, or when English is not their first language.


You will receive detailed feedback on all submissions, and resubmissions are always permitted.


Our assessors are practising professionals who understand the realities of combining study with family and work life.

Your Qualification

What You'll Be Accredited

Upon successful completion you receive a recognised professional qualification and ongoing access to the Babyem graduate network.

OCN Level 6 Certification

Internationally recognised qualification, equivalent to a university foundation year. Includes a digital badge for professional profiles and websites.

Graduate Directory Listing

Listed on the Babyem graduate directory — a searchable resource for families and referrers looking for qualified holistic sleep coaches.

Ongoing CPD & Community

Access to continued professional development sessions and a graduate community for peer support, supervision, and ongoing learning.

OCN Level 6 is equivalent to a university foundation year and is recognised as a professional-level qualification across the UK and internationally.

Ready to Begin?

Ready to Explore This programme?

Join a growing community of holistic sleep practitioners. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Apply to Join the programme

Questions about the curriculum? Email us

Modules across 4 phases
0
Accredited qualification
OCN L6
Supervision sessions / yr
Average completion
0 mo