Why study this course?
Passionate about caring for those with mental health difficulties? This postgraduate certificate in approved mental health practice is a career development opportunity if you have two years experience as a social worker, mental health and learning disabilities nurse, occupational therapist or practitioner psychologist. This course is delivered in partnership with the East London Mental Health Training Partnership. Completion of this course leads to Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) status recognised by local authorities.
Study will be broken down in a series of teaching blocks alternating with periods of placement. This allows you to develop your theoretical knowledge in a classroom environment and compliment it with the practical skills gained on placement. You’ll also work in group settings allowing you to share common experiences, discuss differences and compare learnings from placements with your peers.
More about this course
This AMHP programme is a full-time course, taking place over five months, with anti-oppressive and non-discriminatory practice embedded into the curriculum. We encourage debate and discussion to ensure that a culture of constructive collaborative working is fostered throughout the course.
You’ll be taught by expert practitioners from multi-disciplinary backgrounds. These taught sessions help you to explore the role of the AMHP and your responsibilities through an in-depth understanding of the Mental Health Act (MHA), Code of Practice and related legislation and its application in practice.
Your placements will build your competence from shadowing MHA assessments to gradually taking the lead, with the supervision of your practice educator and lead AMHP. You will also explore the perspective of the service users and carers participating in these assessments.
The taught elements of the course will involve work in small groups to increase awareness of individual responses, understanding others and working with diversity issues. You’ll take part in role play sessions involving professional actors and assessment scenarios. You’ll also cover a range of topics linking mental health, psychiatry and law.
At the end of the course, you'll be able to:
- use communication techniques to promote involvement of people using services, their carers and families and multidisciplinary teams in decision making
- apply an understanding of the legal structures and policy contexts for the delivery of mental health services
- take responsibility for interventions, assessment and practice decisions
- demonstrate a values-led approach, promote equality, diversity and inclusion using anti-oppressive approaches in mental health practice
- use contemporary research to critically engage with practice issues from a theoretical perspective
- effectively use reflective approaches to inform mental health related decision making
- understand the relationship between the AMHP role and a range of multidisciplinary inter-professional practice contexts
- evidence their ability to meet all 34 competencies outlined in the Mental Health (AMHP) Regulations 2008, Schedule 2, and as delineated by Social Work England (2020)
At London Met, we’re committed to giving back to our community and embedding social justice into our curriculum ensuring inclusive approaches to learning, teaching and assessment. This includes a strong emphasis on a decolonised curriculum.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed through a range of different assessment methods, such as a portfolio of written work, observations and an exam.
Professional accreditation
This course meets the requirements for the AMHP competencies prescribed by the Regulations 2008, Schedule two for which it has been approved by Social Work England. These have been endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the College of Occupational Therapists and the Psychological Society as the suitable training for these professional groups.
Fees and key information
Apply nowEntry requirements
To be eligible for the course students must have
- been nominated by their employer, be seconded to the course and have access to a placement (employers provide a practice educator to support the programme)
- a recognised professional qualification in occupational therapy, psychology, social work or nursing
- have a current professional registration number related to the discipline to which you belong
- have a minimum of two years post qualifying experience, including one year of working with people with mental health issues
- have successfully completed an AMHP preparatory module, and/or provide evidence of recent study (within the last five years) at masters level in an associated area of study
Accreditation of Prior Learning
Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course at London Met. Find out more about applying for Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL).
Modular structure
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2023/24 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Year 1 modules include:
- This module currently runs:
- spring semester
You will understand, analyse and critically reflect on policy, legal processes, legislation, statutory instruments, and guidance related to the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended in 2007). You will explore mental health and multi-agency practice interventions applicable to children and adults in need and at risk of harm. You will examine how these are informed by law, theory and research. Concepts of human rights and safeguarding are central to the module.
The teaching methods take into account different learning needs and styles to ensure wide participation. You will be given tools to develop your confidence to interpret and use law in order to support, safeguard and protect.
The lectures and case studies in the seminars are guided by real life situations as reflected in practice. These activities serve to build on existing knowledge of the law and this will further expand your understanding of legislation and law in practice.
An ethical approach to applying the law runs through the whole course. You will learn about the legal system as a way of ensuring social justice.
You will have the opportunity to make the connection with anti- discriminatory and anti-Oppressive practice and Equality of Opportunity. You will increase your understanding of the impact of past and present colonial approaches within the law and how a rights-based approach to law facilitates decolonisation in law and practice.
The aims of the module are that you will:
1. learn how the legal system works, and how to find your way through mental health legislation, statutory instruments, codes of practice and case law.
2. have direct live experiences of court work as part of your placement
3. critically reflect on the AMHP role with an emphasis on evaluating and managing risk, the importance of accountability, and the application of professional judgement.
4. evaluate policy, mental health legislation and related Codes of Practice and guidance.
5. understand the legal basis for Approved Mental Health Professional Practice. - This module currently runs:
- spring semester
This module is designed to provide students with opportunities to work with progressively more autonomy in making assessments and planning interventions linked to a range of contexts for Approved Mental Health Practice. The module allows students to undertake assessment reports linked to the Mental Health Act gathering a range of background evidence. This forms a key element of a wider placement portfolio that is a key outcome of the module.
Hence the module aims to
develop an understanding of, and an ability to apply ethical principles and relevant legislation whilst working alongside an experienced AMHP
apply learning from other core modules to practice, including social perspectives, and working in partnerships with other professionals as well as people with lived experience
gradually increase experience and confidence in MHA assessment, and demonstrate competence in key elements of a future lead role as an AMHP. - This module currently runs:
- spring semester
This module aims to provide students with an opportunity to encounter a range of approaches used to assess individuals in the context of mental health issues and to reflect on and plan interventions. The module allows students to apply the approaches and ideas encountered to different social contexts in order to promote effective, ethical and anti-oppressive mental health practice.
The module is taught in block form over the course of 18 weeks and is designed to provide a range of contextual knowledge to support practice learning.
The module aims are to:
• Prepare for and provide ongoing support for the placement module
• Prepare for the creation of Mental Health Act Assessments and interventions and to support evidence-based decision making
• Allow engagement with specialist areas of mental health practice taking into account a range of perspectives on individuals, groups and communities.
How to apply
If you're a UK applicant wanting to study full-time starting in September, you must apply via UCAS unless otherwise specified. If you're an international applicant wanting to study full-time, you can choose to apply via UCAS or directly to the University.
Please complete this course specfic application form to upload with your application.
If you're applying for part-time study, you should apply directly to the University. If you require a Student visa, please be aware that you will not be able to study as a part-time student at undergraduate level.
If you're applying for a degree starting in January/February, you can apply directly to the University.
When to apply
You are advised to apply as early as possible as applications will only be considered if there are places available on the course.
To find out when teaching for this degree will begin, as well as welcome week and any induction activities, view our academic term dates.