PGCert Mental Health Social Work

1.
Be nominated by their employing local authority, be supported by their employing local authority and be provided with appropriate learning opportunities.

2.
Hold a professional social work qualification recognised by SSSC. These include:

BA (Hons) Social Work
Diploma in Social Work (DipSW)
Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW) together with its predecessor qualifications
Certificate in Social Service (CSS)
If you trained abroad, a letter of comparability with the CQSW or a letter of verification issued by SSSC (or another registering Council in the UK) will be required.

3.
Normally have a minimum of two years post-qualifying experience. You should be able to demonstrate that you've improved and extended the level of competence acquired when you qualified.

4.
Satisfy the programme provider that you have the capacity to achieve the Mental Health Officer standards, that you can be competently demonstrated as eligible to be appointed as a Mental Health Officer, and can achieve the award at SCQF Level 11 by:

critically reviewing your professional development since qualifying as a social worker; this should include issues of effective communication with adults who have individual communication support needs, and working with professional tensions, challenges and conflicts; also included should be evidence from workload of challenging discrimination and demonstrating an understanding of what's meant by this
analysing interest in, and motivation for, undertaking mental health work including the extensive networking and collaborative practice involved
showing developed skills in empowering clients; this should be particularly in relation to developing their understanding of their rights to legal support and advocacy, and their views about how their needs may be more effectively met through complex decision making processes
exploring current awareness of the Mental Health Officer role, the complexity of the power/control issues involved and how you would use Mental Health Officer training in your current work setting

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Successful graduates from this programme will immediately be appointed as Mental Health Officers (MHOs) by their local authority, avoiding the requirement to seek employment as an MHO.

This appointment can lead candidates into promoted posts, eg senior practitioner and management roles. As the role of the MHO is a statutory requirement for local authorities, graduates become members of a small but essential workforce that aims to promote the rights of people with mental disorders as well as ensuring appropriate access to treatment when required.

The MHO workforce is currently under resourced and qualified MHOs are in high demand across Scotland. Obtaining the award, therefore, enhances the employability of all graduates.

Core modules:

Mental Disorder, Mental Health Legislation & Human Rights
Capacity, Incapacity & the Law in Scotland
Working with individuals with a mental disorder & criminal proceedings