LW7000 - Academic Recognition of CPD in Mental Health Law

The programme is underpinned by the notion of reflective practice. A range of blended learning experiences will be used to help you reflect on what you already know, what you need to learn, what you learn during the module and how it will you to improve what you do and how you do it.

You will be afforded the opportunity to attend a series of full day and half day university led sessions of continuing professional development activities. These study days will be led by your module tutor and will be delivered on campus and on line. You will also be provided with opportunities for discussion both with fellow students, with your tutor and with your allocated university mentor who is also an Approved Clinician. You are encouraged to join a learning set with other students, with whom you will be able to discuss relevant issues both at the CPD days and away from the university. In addition you will be provided with a module handbook which outlines the specific activities that you should undertake, together with further learning materials which will be available via the module e-Learning (elp) site. This includes an electronic reading list indicating recommending reading.

You will be expected to undertake an evaluation of your own learning, building on the literature to which you have been directed. Your tutor will support you to develop your reflection. During the module you will prepare and submit for assessment a Learning Contract evaluating your current skills and knowledge and areas for development. Your university mentor will provide you with feedback upon this Learning Contract , and encourage you to reflect further in light of this feedback. You are also encouraged to discuss your progress with your workplace mentor.

This module will be managed by your module yutor who will be responsible for guiding you through the module. All relevant materials and instructions will be accessible on-line through the module elp site, maintained by your module tutor. Extensive use is made of the elp to facilitate discussions between you and your module tutor, to provide materials, make announcements and to highlight recent developments in the law. You will be able to raise queries with your module tutor at the CPD sessions. You may also communicate with your module tutor by e-mail or telephone and are encouraged to make contact if you encounter any difficulties relating to any aspect of the module. You will be allocated a university mentor who is also an Approved Clinician, and they will be available to offer you support on portfolio development and acquisition of AC competencies. Academic support is also available through summative and formative feedback on assessment tasks and through the module handbook, which details how the module is delivered and assessed.

If you have concerns about issues that may affect your ability to complete the module satisfactorily you should not hesitate to contact your Programme Leader, who will provide pastoral support throughout the module and the programme as a whole.

In addition as a distance learning student at Northumbria you will be able to access a range of on-line legal databases and resources which you will find useful for your studies, and through the SCONUL scheme may also utilise resources at other institutions.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
• You will have a critical understanding of mental health law and the role of the Approved Clinician and be able to reflect upon your existing knowledge to identify areas for further development

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• You will be able to provide a written explanation and assessment of your current knowledge and skills and be able to explain how such knowledge and skills are important in the context of your employment and any future Approved Clinican role you may choose to seek approval for

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• You will be able to provide evidence of your critical reflection both upon your pre-existing knowledge and areas for further development and upon the learning activities undertaken during the ‘Academic Recognition of CPD’ module

(i) You will produce a Learning Contract reflecting upon your existing knowledge and experience; your learning objectives and your development plan of a maximum of 2,000 words. Verbal feedback will be provided by your university mentor.

(ii)You will produce a training log consisting of a record and evidence of a minimum of 48 hours of CPD activities that you have engaged with to include a short summary of information gathered, application to practice and impact on your personal and professional development. This will be a maximum of 2,000 words. Feedback will be provided.

(iii)You will produce a reflective commentary on an area of law related to decisions reserved to the RC (eg renewal of detention, discharge onto a CTO) which has been covered in the CPD activities that you have engaged with. In the commentary you will evaluate the learning activity undertaken, (your understanding of mental health law, and wider ethical, commercial and legal issues; your understanding of how your knowledge and skills have developed as a result of the learning experience and how the knowledge and skills developed apply to practice and the impact on your personal and professional development (Maximum 2000 words). You will receive feedback upon this reflective commentary by your tutor.

(iv) you will complete 30 multiple choice questions in one hour intended to test your ability to apply learning.

All module learning outcomes will be assessed.

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Professionals working in the mental health field undertake continuing professional development, often because it is a requirement imposed by a professional body or an employer, or because it is necessary to do so to keep abreast of developments in the field. This module ‘Academic Recognition of CPD’ will enable you to gain academic credit for your CPD learning (for example for short courses, conferences, workshops, one-to-one coaching). It includes a series of full day and half day university led CPD training sessions/study days (approximately 67 hours), delivered using a blended learning approach. In addition you will develop a Learning Contract , which will help you to develop your ability to reflect upon your knowledge and practice and your role within the workplace. Feedback will be provided to assist you to determine where your training needs lie, with the aim of the module being to enhance your existing knowledge and skills and to help you identify how workplace practice might be improved. This module is of particular relevance to senior mental health professionals working towards approval as an Approved Clinician who need to develop the competencies of that role.