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Are you looking to develop the competencies that are required to become an Approved Clinician for the purposes of the Mental Health Act 1983? Do you want to enhance your ability to manage challenges that you face within a mental health context as a psychiatrist, psychologist, nurse, occupational therapist or social worker?

As a professional practice course, there are no specific topics that must be covered. Instead the emphasis is very much on what you need to study in order to prepare yourself for the Approved Clinician role and/or to continue your professional development.

At the start you will be encouraged to write a learning proposal that identifies your specific learning objectives. You will then work towards these objectives through undertaking further continuing professional development (CPD), reflecting on your CPD and ultimately through completion of a work-based project. On completion you should have developed the skills and knowledge you need for you to make an application to be an Approved Clinician, if that is your goal.

Please note, optional module choices will be grouped and will run in designated blocks, meaning some module combinations will not be possible. Although every effort is made to ensure that these modules are offered, there may be occasions, for example due to staff sabbaticals, where a module may not be offered or module running order may change.

Year Two: Optional 12 months of 'Bolt-On' support.

Learners who are awarded the Professional Practice in Law Award will be eligible for a further 12 months of support the aim of which is to aid them to gain AC approval within that time period. Each learner will be offered a University Mentor (UM) who will encourage them to self assess their progress and to identify and plan professional development opportunities as required to evidence the necessary AC competencies. The UMs attached to the programme are experienced ACs from a range of professional backgrounds and located across England. Learners will take personal responsibility for arranging meetings with their UM at times that are mutually convenient to them. Tripartite meetings between learner, UM and work-based mentor are also encouraged.

During this second year learners will be invited to attend additional CPD events and workshops (dates to follow) where speakers will include experienced and recently approved ACs; lawyers; medics and tribunal members.

Learners will also have the opportunity to engage in the highly recommended Simulated Tribunal Training where their skills in giving oral evidence and in Tribunal report writing will be honed.

This additional Bolt-On support is available to learners to access for as long as they need it up to a maximum of 12 months. There are no University coursework requirements in this period with the focus on portfolio development.

Course Information

Level of Study
Postgraduate

Mode of Study
1 year Distance Learning, including 5 study days

Department
Northumbria Law School

Location
City Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Fee Information

Module Information

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Entry Requirements 2023/24

Standard Entry

Although no formal qualifications are required, (the programme is suitable for students from a range of backgrounds & experience), some on-going practical experience within the mental health field is necessary as the course builds upon practical experience in its assessment processes.

Plus one of the following:

  • International/English Language Requirements:

    International applicants are required to have one of the following English language qualifications with grades as shown below.

    • A British Council International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 (or above) with a minimum score in each component of Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking of 5.5
    • Pearson Academic score of 62 (or above) with a minimum score in each component of Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking of 51

    The University also accepts many other English language qualifications and if you have any questions about our English Language requirements please contact the International Admissions Office and we will be glad to assist y

Fees and Funding 2023/24 Entry

Full UK Fee: TBC

Full EU Fee: TBC

Full International Fee: TBC



Scholarships and Discounts

Click here for UK, EU and International scholarship, fees, and funding information.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

There are no Additional Costs

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Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

LW7000 -

Academic Recognition of CPD in Mental Health Law (Core,30 Credits)

At the outset of this module you will be asked to negotiate a learning proposal with your academic supervisor. This should also be approved by a workplace mentor. Through the process of preparing this learning proposal you will, in conjunction with your supervisor, identify where you need to develop further knowledge and skills relevant to the Approved Clinician competencies, what learning activities need to be undertaken to meet those needs and a timescale for completing them. You will then be required to engage in at least six full days (48 hours) of continuing professional development relevant to the Approved Clinician competencies. You are offered the opportunity to participate in five full days of training offered by Northumbria Law School. These training days are designed to prepare practitioners to apply for approval to become an Approved Clinician. As such they will cover, for example: the legal context and overall legal framework relating to the Approved Clinican role; assessment in the context of the Approved Clinican role; clinical leadership, report writing and communication; equality and diversity; and preparation of the Approved Clinician portfolio. At least one day of CPD activities must be completed by other means, for example by attendance on a short course, one-to-one coaching, workshops, conferences and seminars or engagement in discussion with your learning set (if you choose not to attend all five days offered by Northumbria then you will need to engage in additional activities elsewhere to ensure that you complete the full six days of CPD activities).

More information

LW7001 -

Work Based Project in Mental Health Law (Core,30 Credits)

On this module you will undertake a work based project. The work-based project is based on a legal topic that you will agree with the module tutor and your employer. The exact subject that you will focus upon and the specific aims of your project will depend upon the specifics of the work that you are involved in, who you are employed by, and the knowledge and skills that you have previously determined that you need to develop further. Based upon your professional experience you will complete a statutory report of the type that would be submitted to the First Tier Tribunal (Mental Health) on an anonymised/hypothetical case study. It is suggested that the case study should be one of the hypothetical statutory reports that you will need to include in any portfolio that is to be submitted as part of the Approved Clinician approval process, should you decide to seek such approval.

More information

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

LW7000 -

Academic Recognition of CPD in Mental Health Law (Core,30 Credits)

At the outset of this module you will be asked to negotiate a learning proposal with your academic supervisor. This should also be approved by a workplace mentor. Through the process of preparing this learning proposal you will, in conjunction with your supervisor, identify where you need to develop further knowledge and skills relevant to the Approved Clinician competencies, what learning activities need to be undertaken to meet those needs and a timescale for completing them. You will then be required to engage in at least six full days (48 hours) of continuing professional development relevant to the Approved Clinician competencies. You are offered the opportunity to participate in five full days of training offered by Northumbria Law School. These training days are designed to prepare practitioners to apply for approval to become an Approved Clinician. As such they will cover, for example: the legal context and overall legal framework relating to the Approved Clinican role; assessment in the context of the Approved Clinican role; clinical leadership, report writing and communication; equality and diversity; and preparation of the Approved Clinician portfolio. At least one day of CPD activities must be completed by other means, for example by attendance on a short course, one-to-one coaching, workshops, conferences and seminars or engagement in discussion with your learning set (if you choose not to attend all five days offered by Northumbria then you will need to engage in additional activities elsewhere to ensure that you complete the full six days of CPD activities).

More information

LW7001 -

Work Based Project in Mental Health Law (Core,30 Credits)

On this module you will undertake a work based project. The work-based project is based on a legal topic that you will agree with the module tutor and your employer. The exact subject that you will focus upon and the specific aims of your project will depend upon the specifics of the work that you are involved in, who you are employed by, and the knowledge and skills that you have previously determined that you need to develop further. Based upon your professional experience you will complete a statutory report of the type that would be submitted to the First Tier Tribunal (Mental Health) on an anonymised/hypothetical case study. It is suggested that the case study should be one of the hypothetical statutory reports that you will need to include in any portfolio that is to be submitted as part of the Approved Clinician approval process, should you decide to seek such approval.

More information

To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.

Professional Practice in Mental Health Law Postgraduate Certificate

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Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help.  They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.


All information is accurate at the time of sharing.

Full time Courses starting in 2023 are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but may include elements of online learning. We continue to monitor government and local authority guidance in relation to Covid-19 and we are ready and able to flex accordingly to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with additional restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors, potentially to a full online offer, should further restrictions be deemed necessary in future. Our online activity will be delivered through Blackboard Ultra, enabling collaboration, connection and engagement with materials and people.

 

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