Mental Health & Mental Capacity Law

Overview
The Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) in Mental Health and Mental Capacity Law provides the required training for social workers to undertake the role of Approved Social Worker under the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 and the Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016. This is a statutory role and applications must have the support of a Health and Social Care Trust. The PG Diploma provides the qualification for practising as an Approved Social Worker (ASW).

Contributors to the taught element of the ASW Programme are drawn from a wide range of backgrounds and professions including service users and carers; ASWs and other social work staff, psychiatrists, psychologists and nursing staff; representatives from the courts, Review Tribunal; Regulation Quality Improvement Authority; legal advisers and researchers.

Please note that this course is not eligible for a Student route visa.

Year 1
Core Modules
• Context and Concepts in Mental Health (40 credits)
• Social Work Practice Development in Mental Health (40 credits)
• Law, Ethics and Applied Law in Mental Health (40 credits)

Course Structure
The Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health and Mental Capacity Law is awarded to students who successfully complete taught modules amounting to 120 CATS points.

Graduate
Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Where this is not met, applicants must demonstrate that their experience and qualifications enable them to study at postgraduate level by showing either that they have the Pre-2007 Post-Qualifying Social Work Award or by producing a reflective assignment on their practice in this area (2,000 words).

Applicants must be nominated by their Health and Social Care Trust/employer who will undertake to provide support and appropriate learning opportunities. It will be the responsibility of employers to ensure that applicants have the opportunity to develop and demonstrate social work competence in their work with people who have a mental disorder and/or lack capacity, and their carers.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 31st July 2024 at 4pm
Late applications may be considered.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Assessment

Assessments associated with this course are outlined below:

A variety of assessment methods will be used including written assignments, a reflective analysis on how the student applies relevant theory to their practice in two different cases and an assignment critically reflecting on how the student has enhanced the practice of colleagues drawing on the knowledge in this module.

1 year (Part Time)

Teaching Times
In addition to the 37 taught days (normally taught in blocks of 1-5 days), practice days will also be available to enable candidates to gather the necessary evidence of competence.

Entry Year: 2024/25

Career Prospects
Introduction
Continuing professional registration in social work is predicated on continuing professional development.. The Dept. of Health has directed that social workers demonstrate their competence covered in the curriculum of this programme.

Further Study Opportunities
If you complete the PG Diploma in Mental Health and Mental Capacity Law you may apply for the Master’s dissertation module to obtain the MSc in Mental Health and Mental Capacity Law.