Postgraduate Certificate Mental Health Social Work

University of Strathclyde

The course trains social workers for the role of Mental Health Officer (MHO) in which they will be able to contribute positively to the care and treatment of those experiencing mental disorder by ensuring an approach that recognises the impact of social as well as medical circumstances on their lives.The role of MHO is as defined in Section 32 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, and as qualified by the direction of the Scottish Ministers (Requirements for appointment as Mental Health Officers) Direction (January 2009).In 2007 the Scottish Social Services Council published standards and practice competencies for MHO training. This stated that the certificate must be:provided by a university, within a programme provider partnershipdelivered at SCQF Level 11, which equates with Masters levelbe approved by the SSSC as a specialist courseThe course has been externally evaluated and assessed as producing MHOs who are competent to practice from the perspective of the local authorities who employ the candidates on completion of the award. Between 85 and 90% of all candidates complete the course within a 12-month period. On completion of the programme, 100% of candidates are appointed as MHO by their local authority.