Programme Specification and Curriculum Map for Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice (Graduate Mental Health Practitioner) Programme 1. Awarding institution Middlesex University 2. Teaching institution Middlesex University 3. Programme accredited by N/A 4. Final qualification Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice 5. Programme title Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice Programme 6. Language of study English 7. Mode of study Full-time 8. Academic Year 2009/10 9. Criteria for admission to the programme Graduates from participating local NHS Trusts, in full time employment with a first degree (2:2 minimum) will be offered the opportunity to apply to undertake the Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice (GMHP) Programme. New graduate trainees to the Trust will be appointed on a fixed term contract for the duration of the programme. They will attend the GMHP Programme at Middlesex University for 2 days per week and will work within their NHS Trust for the remaining 3 days a week (this includes one day per week as a practice development day). Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice 2010/11 1
10. Aims of the programme The programme aims to Provide an opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview and awareness of the theory and practice of mental health from prevention to recovery and to work effectively across a range of mental health settings e.g. children, young people, adults, and older people Prepare students to appreciate that social inclusion and recovery lies at the heart of current mental health services and care Provide in-depth knowledge of the Care Programme Approach (CPA) which is the foundation of effective mental health practice delivery where by the mental health service user is consistently involved in the CPA process so they receive quality mental health services To examine risk assessment and management within mental health care, including the ability to effectively carry out risk assessment, and have a full understanding of the concept of positive risk taking Provide a forum for students to critically evaluate current intervention and issues relating to mental health services and practice. Furthermore through their opportunities to practice in a variety of mental health settings students will be encouraged to integrate theory and practice To enable the student to have a comprehensive understanding and awareness of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children and adults To address key principles of diversity and culture and how these issues impact on clinical practice To stimulate the student s critical evaluation skills to improve practice and mental health service delivery Prepare students to appreciate the knowledge of legal and ethical practice as it relates to current mental health practice Provide a sound understanding for the need for ongoing supervision in practice setting Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice 2010/11 2
11. Programme outcomes A. Knowledge and understanding On completion of this programme the successful student will have knowledge and understanding of: 1. The theory and practice of mental health including promotion, prevention and recovery related to their level of practice 2. Social inclusion and recovery and its place within mental health services and care 3. Care Programme Approach (CPA) and the consistent involvement of the service user in the process 4. Ethical framework for working therapeutically with children, young people, adults and older people experience mental health needs 5. Dealing with difficult and sensitive situations and associated risk assessment consideration in the practice of effective mental health skills 6. Diversity and difference in mental health practice 7. Current interventions and issues relating to mental health services and practice Teaching/learning methods Students gain knowledge and understanding through lectures, seminars, experiential activities, tutorials, group discussions, independent study, practice placements and practice supervision. Assessment Method Students knowledge and understanding is assessed by written work that includes case studies, report writing, critical reviews, reflective account of learning, individual presentations, evaluations of performance and practice reflection. Students will be required to complete the Practice Workbook this sets out key self directed areas of learning and self assessment associated with the module. Practice Workbook with be reviewed with their personal tutor/practice supervisor in weeks 4 and 8 of the module. Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice 2010/11 3
B. Cognitive (thinking) skills On completion of this programme the successful student will be able to: 1. Apply theoretical concepts within the field of mental heath to their practice setting 2. Critically evaluate practice delivery and development 3. Relate the practice of social inclusion and recovery to theory 4. Research literature and critically evaluate evidence from a range of sources 5. Interpret and analyse behaviour with reference to the experience of mental health problems 6. Consider the legal and ethical consideration of the mental health practitioner C. Practical skills On completion of the programme the successful student will be able to: 1. Utilise practice skills that have been influenced by evidenced base findings 2. Use developmentally appropriate enhanced communication in all areas of working with mental health service users 3. Practice within an ethical framework 4. Present complex information effectively, both verbally and in writing 5. Employ practice supervision sessions in a highly developed context Teaching/learning methods Students learn cognitive skills through seminars, tutorials, experiential activities, practice supervision, and presentation of their learning. Assessment Method Students cognitive skills are assessed by presentation of their written preparation, role play, exercises, reflection on practice, peer, self and lecturer/tutor and via the Practice Assessments (first and second placements) carried out by practice supervisor. Teaching/learning methods Students learn practice skills through applying knowledge gained in the classroom setting then go on to practice these skills in mental health practice, settings, practice supervision utilising the Reflective Journal, experiential exercises and tutorials. Assessment Method Self assessment, reflecting upon Reflective Journal entries, experiential exercises and via tutorials, on-line quizzes. Students practical skills are assessed summatively in practice by the practice supervisor. Practice assessments competed on week 26 and week 49 of the programme. Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice 2010/11 4
D. Graduate Skills On completion of this programme the successful student will be able to: 1. Plan their personal and career development 2. Communicate effectively with colleagues, service users and carers 3. Work as part of a team and independently 4. Use information technology effectively 5. Understand numerical data Teaching/learning methods Students acquire graduate skills through lectures, seminars, experiential activities, tutorials, independent study, practice experience supported by practice supervision. Assessment method Students graduate skills are assessed by tutor and practice supervisor observation and evaluation, self assessment and reviewing reflections in Reflective Journal, practice supervisor s assessments, experiential exercises, and tutorials. Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice 2010/11 5
12. Programme structure 12. 1 Overall structure of the programme One Entry Point Mental Health Awareness From Prevention to Recovery MHR3XXX 30 Credits Care Programme Approach in Practice MHR4XXX 30 Credits Minimum 2:2 Hons Degree Physical Health & Well being MHRX607 15 Credits Social Inclusion & Recovery MHR4606 15 Credits Risk Assessment & Management of MH Care MHR4605 15 Credits Cognitive Behavioural Therapy MHR4604 15 Credits Students will be employed by local Trusts throughout the programme and will engage in practice 3 days per week (1 of these days being a Practice Development Day). Students will also undertake two separate full time practice placements during the 12 month course within their seconding Trust. Target Award Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice 2010/11 6
12.2 Levels and modules Level 3 COMPULSORY OPTIONAL PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS Students must take all of the following: N/A None MHR3XXX Mental Health Awareness. From Prevention to Recovery Level 4 COMPULSORY OPTIONAL PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS Students must take all of the following: MHR4XXX Care Programme Approach in Practice MHR4605 Risk Assessment & Management in Mental Health MHR4604 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy MHR4607 Physical Health & Wellbeing MHR4606 Social Inclusion & Recovery 12.3 Non-compensatable modules Module level Module code N/A N/A N/A None 13. Curriculum map See attached. Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice 2010/11 7
14. Information about assessment regulations Grading Assignments are assessed on either a pass/fail basis (related to practice) and using the Middlesex University 20 point grading scale (related to academic summative work). Deferral requests Students may seek permission to defer all or part of the assessment in a module to the next available opportunity. The full Deferral Policy is available at http://www.mdx.ac.uk/24%2d7/assess/defer.htm#rules. This can only be granted where exceptional circumstances prevent a student from completing assessment through no fault of their own and where documentary evidence is supplied. Deferral requests should be submitted to the School Student Office counter on your base campus by completing the relevant form and attaching supporting documentation, e.g. medical certificates. The final deadline for deferral applications is 2 weeks after the end of the examination period. The deferral form is available at: http://www.mdx.ac.uk/24-7/assess/defer.htm 15. Placement opportunities, requirements and support Students are employees of the seconding Trust, and therefore already in practice. The learning outcomes of the programmes, requires the students to spend 60% of their time in mental health practice and 40% of their time in classroom activities. To ensure that students can meet the specific learning outcomes associated with the modules they will be offered practice placements in their seconding Trust, which will include experience across a range of clinical settings e.g. community, inpatients, outpatients, day hospitals etc. Students will be required to complete a Practice Document that contains the Practice Workbook, Practice Journal, and the Practice Assessment. By the end of their first placement the student must have completed Practice Workbook (1), Practice Journal (1) and pass Practice Assessment (1). By the end of the second placement the student must have completed the Practice Workbook (2), Practice Journal (2) and passed Practice Assessment (2). 16. Future careers (if applicable) As part of the remodelling and development plan for the workforce seconding Trusts are engaged in the creation of career pathways for GMHP s within the organisations into clinical, management, research and educational roles. Trusts will continue to work in partnership with Middlesex University to provide appropriate educational programmes to support the ongoing development of this group of employees through commissioning of appropriate modules, programmes and short courses. In addition, for successful students, access to the Middlesex University MSc Mental Health Studies will be available to them. 17. Particular support for learning In order to support the students and their practice supervisors consideration has been given to identifying a post at band 7 shared between local Trusts and MU. The aim of this role will be to provide continuity between theory and practice, identify and organise appropriate placement within the Trust and co-ordinate training and support for practice supervisors. Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice 2010/11 8
Within MU, the designated Programme Leader will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Programme and the links between the programme and partner Trusts. The current arrangements for University links with practice, including quality reviews of practice based learning, will apply to this new development. Throughout the year-long programme students will undertake practice supervision within the Trusts and be required to attend personal and professional development sessions. As students of the University (seconded by the Trusts), students will have full access to all the resources and facilities of the University, including OASISplus. The programme also has its own Wiki which offers an additional platform for students to interact with the programme team and each other when on practice placements 18. JACS code (or other relevant coding system) 19. Relevant QAA subject benchmark group(s) B760 None 20. Reference points The National Service Framework for Mental Health: Modern Standards and Service Models(1999) Keys to engagement Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health (1998) Mental Health Act (2008) Mental Health Policy Implementation Guide Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Middlesex University Learning Framework (2009/10) Middlesex University Academic Regulations (20009/10) School Teaching and Learning Strategy (2009/10) Towards a Shared Vision of Mental Health (2009) Department of Health Capabilities for Inclusive Practice (2007) Department of Health The Ten Essential Shared Capabilities: A Framework for the whole of the Mental Health Workforce. (2004) Department of Health Knowledge and Skills Framework (NHS KSF) (1999) Department of Health Skills for Health National Occupational Standards in Mental Health Refocusing the Care Programme Approach: Policy and Positive Practice Guidance. (2008) Department of Health High Quality Care for All: NHS Next Stage Review Final Report (2008) Lord Darzi, Department of Health 21. Other information For any additional information contact the Programme Leader, Helen Matheson Please note programme specifications provide a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information about the programme can be found in the rest of your programme handbook and the University Regulations. Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Practice 2010/11 9