Applied Mental Health Practice PGCert

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This part-time interprofessional course is delivered in collaboration with Cheshire Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) Partnership and incorporates AMHP training. The aim of the course is to produce competent, independent mental health practitioners capable of complex decision making and working with high levels of professional responsibility.

Successful candidates will be eligible to be approved as an AMHP by their relevant Local Authority.

Our course structure and content shows a strong commitment to the integration of theory and practice, underpinned by a strong value base. The course will build on your graduate and professional experience by immersing you in the multifaceted and rapidly changing face of mental health practice.

The taught content is delivered by the Cheshire AMHP Partnership. Nationally recognised mental health speakers, specialist mental health practitioners, academics, and service users and carers contribute to the teaching on the course. The AMHP training component also involves undertaking a practice placement within a community mental health setting or equivalent.

The course will equip you to play a key role in the care and protection of people with mental disorders and to undertake the specific duties of an AMHP.

Why You'll Love It

Diverse range of high-quality contributors provide stimulating course content

Nationally recognised mental health speakers, specialist mental health practitioners, academics, and service users and carers contribute to the teaching on the course providing consistent high-quality feedback.

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Completion of course enables you to be approved as an AMHP

The course will equip you to play a key role in the care and protection of people with mental disorders and to undertake the specific duties of an AMHP. Successful candidates will be eligible to be approved as an AMHP by their relevant Local Authority.

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Opportunity to apply knowledge in a new practice setting

Our course evidences a strong commitment to the integration of theory and practice, underpinned by a strong value base. The course builds on your experience by immersing you in the multifaceted and changing face of mental health practice. Candidates appreciate the opportunity to practice their new knowledge in a practice setting that contrasts to their current place of work.

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What You'll Study

You will learn about the complexities involved in working in mental health practice. While the focus of the teaching is on mental health legislation, you will also learn about the range of models of mental disorder. The practice placement will enable you to apply your learning to practice.

Core Modules

This module seeks to equip students with a systematic and detailed knowledge of mental health law and related relevant legislation, including associated codes of practice. Students will develop a critical awareness of the the legal position and accountability of AMHPs in relation to the Mental Health Act 1983, any employing authority and the authority on whose behalf they are acting. There will be an opportunity to critically reflect on the complexity of the power inherent in the AMHP role, and the implications for service users, carers and other professionals in the exercise of that power.

This module introduces the students to a range of models of mental disorder. It will enable the development of knowledge and critical understanding of the main clinical symptoms and classification of mental disorder. It will also explore the social perspective of mental illness and critically examine a range of different interventions, allowing a comprehensive understanding of the applicability of relevant techniques and approaches. It will debate and critically reflect upon the implications of mental disorder for service users, carers and other professionals.

Approved Mental Health Professionals are required to carry out a range of responsibilities in respect of legal processes and risk assessment with people who experience mental distress. This module will enhance the candidate's understanding and skills in undertaking an AMHP assessment under MHA 1983. Candidates will critically evaluate the ethics and values located in the role, and analyse the good practice that underpins this work. The main aim of the module is to enable candidates to exercise appropriate use of independence, authority and autonomy in the AMHP role.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

How You'll Learn

Teaching includes lectures, experiential learning and self-directed learning

Assessment will include written work, direct observation and a practice portfolio

This course is designed around in-person study

There may be some online learning activities

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How we teach at the University of Chester

The course location is a Cheshire AMHP Partnership venue.

Teaching and learning methods include lectures, small group work, case discussions, tutorials, problem-based learning, experiential learning activities, peer learning and self-directed learning.

You will be assessed through written assignments, presentations, individual case studies, case discussions, direct observation, and a practice portfolio. The practice elements of the course are assessed by experienced Approved Mental Health Professionals.

Modules are delivered in two-week blocks and you will be expected to undertake ten hours private study per week.

On this course, you’ll spend time out on placement where you’ll apply what you have learnt to real scenarios in the workplace, giving you genuine experience and insight that will prepare you for your future career. This will be a minimum of 51 days or 60 days depending on experience.

Your Future Career

Job Prospects

Successful candidates will be eligible to be approved as an AMHP by their relevant Local Authority.

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

Entry Requirements

Honours Degree

Applicants must hold a recognised professional qualification in social work, nursing, occupational therapy or psychology and be either:

(a) a social worker registered with Social Work England or Social Care Wales;
(b) a first level nurse, registered in Sub-Part 1 of the Nurses' Part of the Register maintained under article 5 of the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001, with the inclusion of an entry indicating their field of practice is mental health or learning disabilities nursing;
(c) an occupational therapist registered in Part 6 of the Register maintained under article 5 of the Health Professions Order 2001;
(d) or either a psychologist registered in Part 14 of the register maintained by the Health and Care Professions Council; or a chartered psychologist who is listed in the British Psychological Society's Register of Chartered Psychologists and who holds a relevant practising certificate issued by the Society.

Prior Work/ Voluntary Experience

At least two years post qualified as a Social worker, CPN, OT or psychiatrist, plus at least two recent experiences as a shadow, with an experienced AMHP, completing Mental Health Act Assessments.

Professional Status

Students will normally have two years' post-registration experience and be nominated by their employer to meet the standard of the AMHP requirements which is at level 7 study. Students will complete a detailed written application in which they will provide evidence of their professional competence, capacity and ability to undertake and complete an AMHP training programme.

DBS Check

A DBS Check is required

Entry Requirements

The course is available to:

  • Registered social workers
  • First level nurses – their field of practice being mental health or learning disabilities nursing
  • Occupational therapists
  • Chartered psychologists

Applicants will have two years’ post-registration experience and be nominated and supported by their employer.

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