Study Details: MA, PG Dip, PG Cert
The awards also offered through this programme are Postgraduate Certificate in Mental Health (2 modules) and the Postgraduate Diploma in Management (4 modules)
This new course is designed to enable candidates to develop the knowledge, skills and values required for practice as an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP), as described in the Mental Health Act 2007.
The University of East Anglia, together with UCS, has responded to requests from local employers to develop training for Approved Mental Health Professionals and Best Interests Assessors in their statutory roles under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended) and the Mental Capacity Act 2005. This training is located within social work education, and delivered in accordance with the General Social Care Council Specialist standards and requirements for post-qualifying social work education and training (GSCC, 2007).
Teaching is delivered in the School of Health, Science and Social Care. Academically, study is located at Masters level: students accumulating 180 credits from prescribed modules will be awarded the MA in Mental Health joint award from the University of East Anglia and University of Essex; candidates accumulating 120 credits will be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma.
The programme will recruit on a national basis from a range of professions, including social workers, nurses, occupational therapists, and psychologists which reflects the statutory requirements of local authorities.
1. The Developing Mental Health Professional
This module will bring together a diverse range of professionals and prepare them to gain a comprehensive understanding of key changes within mental health. This includes new ways of working, the expert patient, positive risk taking and the explicit value base in mental health (10 ESC, 2004) within the context of the community setting rather than hospital-based services.
2. Perspectives on Mental Disorder and its Treatments within a Multi-Cultural Society
In order to act competently in discharging the duties and powers conferred upon them by the Mental Health Act 1983, Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHP) must have knowledge of the nature of mental disorder. It is acknowledged that social and medical perspectives contribute to the assessment of the individual. The AMHP must have a clear understanding of the social perspectives enabling them to apply a truly holistic approach to decision making. Mental disorder should also be seen in the wider concept of a social model of disability.
As oppression and discrimination are widespread at both an individual and structural level in our society, students will need to evaluate the situation of the service user in relation to age, gender, race, ethnicity, culture, mobility, sexual orientation and social class. Within the study of discrimination the key issues of equality and diversity will be critically considered.
3. Legal and Practice Elements of AMHP Multi- Disciplinary working in Mental Health
This module enables candidates to complete AMHP training, following on from the 40 credit ‘The Developing Mental Health Professional’ and the 20 credit unit ‘Perspectives on Mental Distress and its treatments in a Multi-Cultural Society’. The aims of the module include:
Students will study one optional module and both the Research Methods and Dissertation.
Best Interest Assessor: Law and Practice
The Mental Health Act 2007 introduced deprivation of liberty safeguards into the Mental Capactiy Act 2005. These safeguards will provide a legal framework to protect the rights and liberties of people who lack the capacity to consent to the care or treatment they need where this care or treatment could amount to a deprivation of their liberty. The module is targeted at practitioners who wish to undertake the role as a Best Interest Assessor accredited by the Secretary of State.
Organisational Psychology
Organisational psychology is the scientific study of individual and group behaviour in formal organisational settings in order to improve the effectiveness of the organisation and the job satisfaction of the individual. It considers topics such as personality theories, motivation and stress management alongside wider issues such as organisational influence on teams and the individual.
This module will examine current psychological theories to explore dilemmas facing those involved in leading and managing within organisations. By examining these wider issues, practitioners will develop their understanding of psychology within the workplace in order to facilitate change towards improved work and working conditions.
Research Methods
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the wide variety of approaches and techniques of quantitative and qualitative research and to equip students with the skills required to collect, collate, analyse, present and interpret data. It also aims to provide a firm foundation for the dissertation. The content will cover the context of qualitative research, data collection techniques, qualitative data analysis techniques, statistical analysis or relationships and trends, sampling, and exploratory and descriptive research.
Dissertation
The dissertation provides students with an opportunity to undertake a substantial piece of independent research in an area of particular interest and to allow students to demonstrate their understanding of research methods and their application. It also provides an opportunity for students to relate their learning in taught modules to the analysis of a problem relevant to their MA programme. On completion of the dissertation students will have designed an appropriate and feasible research plan, developed appropriate research instruments and written a dissertation of 8,000 words.