Professional Practice in Mental Health Law Postgraduate Certificate

Course Overview

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.

Your Future

For a significant proportion of students, the next step after this course is to seek approval as an Approved Clinician.

You will have essential knowledge of mental health legislation, related codes of practice, national and local policy, assessment, report writing, communication, care planning, leadership, multi-disciplinary working and equality and diversity.

Whatever your future, you’ll have the transferable skills that employers expect from Northumbria graduates from Northumbria University. These include the ability to reflect on your practice and make appropriate recommendations for improved workplace practice, the ability to handle the legal and ethical issues that may arise in mental health contexts, and the ability to formulate balanced judgements.

Applicants should normally have on-going practical experience within the mental health field. No formal qualifications are required for acceptance onto this course.