Masters Degrees (Best Interest Assessor)

The principle aim of the course is to prepare practitioners who will be considered for appointment as approved mental health professionals under the Mental Health Act 2007.

After completing the course, you’ll be able to take on the role of best interest assessor (Mental Health Capacity Act 2005). In meeting the requirements of the Higher Specialist Social Work Award in Mental Health, the course also recognises the diversity of mental health social work and provides practitioners with the opportunity to develop and extend their knowledge and enhance their skills in dealing with complex work.

Learning includes a mix of interactive workshops, teaching sessions and facilitated group discussions. Service user and carer input will be central to student learning methods. This is combined with individualised self-directed learning with flexibility in units to tailor learning to meet individual student needs.

Opportunities for experiential learning are provided in a supervised practice placement as required by the professional body. Assessment for the course will include completing a portfolio including a report by a practice assessor, based on observation of how you apply learning and competence in showing the requirements. A range of reflective assignments and an in-class test will also be included.

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The MSc Mental Health is designed to meet the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) needs of a wide range of professionals. It is aimed at, but not limited to, those who work with mental health service users and/or within mental health settings. The programme supports practitioners to develop their knowledge, skills and competence in advanced practice and in specialist areas such as Safeguarding, Migration and Forensic Mental Health. It is also the framework for Best Interests Assessor Training (BIA); Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) Training and social work Practice Educator Training (PE).

Successful completion of your chosen pathway within the programme could lead to either an MSc, PGDip or PGCert award.

Visit the website: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/courses/postgraduate/mental-health.aspx

Course detail

The MSc Mental Health is designed in response to recent changes in legislation, corresponding developments in mental health service delivery and the evolving socio-political influences that impact upon the mental health and wellbeing of individuals. It aims to meet the needs of stakeholders for an adaptable, reflexive and resilient workforce, and its modules focus on enhancing specialist mental health practice through the application of CPD and lifelong learning.

The MSc Mental Health has been developed for the specific workforce development needs of practitioners working at a senior or advanced level. It provides flexible options for study and is designed to support students to ‘learn and earn’ while applying their knowledge to practice. You will benefit from an exciting and challenging educational experience to which the programme team will contribute through the organisation of specialist innovative modules and practice learning.

For local social services authorities (LSSA) the programme provides the required training framework to fulfil mandatory functions in accordance with both the Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (Schedule A1 of the Mental Capacity Act (amended 2007).

Suitability

The MSc Mental Health programme is suitable for, but not limited to, experienced practitioners working in mental health services. It is designed for individuals with an interest in improving outcomes for those experiencing mental distress across a wide range of contexts and offers flexible study opportunities to meet the Continuing Professional Development needs of the following professional groups:
• Psychologists
• Social Workers
• Nurses
• Occupational Therapists
• Paramedics
• Probation Officers
• Police Officers
• Medical Practitioners

Content

• Migration and Mental Health
• Safeguarding in Mental Health
• Mental Health in Forensic Settings
• Professional Leadership in Mental Health
• Law and Policy for Best Interests Assessors
• Developing Best Interests Assessor Practice Skills
• Law and Policy for Best Interests Assessors
• Developing Best Interests Assessor Practice Skills
• Practice Education

Format

The modules you undertake can be chosen from a range offered within the core MSc Mental Health programme or from CCCU’s wider postgraduate portfolio. Your choice of modules will reflect your learning and development needs and where relevant those of your supporting/sponsoring organisation. All modules can be undertaken on a standalone basis or as part of the full programme. Typically, modules consist of 30 hours of academic direction (lectures, seminars and 1:1 tutorials) and 170 hours of practice learning and independent study. Throughout the programme the focus of learning, teaching and assessment is on work-based and work related learning where knowledge gained is applied to the workplace and reflection and evaluation further enhances practice.

Assessment

The variety of assessments accommodates a broad range of learning styles and have been selected to match the module aims and learning outcomes to the theory/practice outcomes. Assessment activities include case studies, presentations, essays and examinations.

Where professional role development through the acquisition of specific skills and competencies is an identified outcome, such as with the Development of Advanced Skills in Mental Health Practice and the Developing Best Interests Assessor Practice Skills modules, you will be required to undertake a period of supervised and assessed practice learning.

The requirements and learning opportunities to meet the learning outcomes will be set out in a formal Practice Learning Agreement and you will be required to produce a portfolio of evidence of Professional Practice Development.

The full MSc Mental Health award is made of 180 credits. Each module carries 20 credits with the exception of the 40 or 60 credit bearing Dissertation/Project.

What can I do next?

Students undertaking the MSc Mental Health will be experienced practitioners who will bring their existing knowledge and skills to the programme. The programme will provide the opportunity to share and learn from other practitioners from across and within the health and social care sector in order to develop themselves, their teams and their organisations. Accordingly, the MSc Mental Health is designed to enhance the possibility of career progression and promotes the habits and value of life-long learning.

Those seeking professional endorsement in the Best Interests Assessor or Approved Mental Health Professional roles will be eligible to undertake statutory interventions under the relevant legislative provisions which will considerably strengthen their career opportunities and progression. For AMHPs this will be subject to the warranting arrangements of their Local Social Services Authority.

How to apply

For information on how to apply, please follow this link: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/how-to-apply/how-to-apply.aspx

Funding

-Masters Loans-

From 2016/17 government loans of up to £10,000 are available for postgraduate Masters study. The loans will be paid directly to students by the Student Loans Company and will be subject to both personal and course eligibility criteria.

For more information available here: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/funding-your-degree/funding-your-postgraduate-degree.aspx

-2017/18 Entry Financial Support-

Information on alternative funding sources is available here: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/funding-your-degree/2017-18-entry-financial-support.aspx

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