You will be taught to recognise and describe normal signs and symptoms, differentiated from abnormal findings and responding to clinical 'red flags'. Guidance will be given so that you can take a client history and use approaches to mental health assessment utilising different models, tools and considering the evidence base.

You will also be taught and guided towards learning experiences that inform you:

How to use assessment as a therapeutic intervention including cognitive behavioural approaches to assessment, formulation and intervention

The details of a single assessment process and the benefits of multi professional, multi-agency working

Explore your personal and professional philosophy, including ethical and legal considerations

Contextual issues and their influence when using a holistic approach in evaluating mental health

User and carer involvement, negotiation, consent and issues of choice

The pathways for appropriate mental health referral

The physical and biological factors that could impact on an individual’s mental health

Mental health promotion and education in mental health

Use of Information technology and record keeping

The influence of unconscious bias and stereotyping

Addressing overrepresentation of certain cultural groups and cultural biases

Awareness of predominate forms of bias including anchoring and confirmation bias

The 30-minute verbal presentation (which could be a narrated PowerPoint) (to meet LO 1,2,3)¿should outline the assessment of an individual with possible mental health issues who has accessed the criminal justice system. This should take the form of a critical reflection on a case (or hypothetical scenario) that relates to your area of work where you need to assess an individual with possible mental health issues. You should discuss and critique the tools you use, give a rationale for your choice and you should go on to discuss any subsequent findings. You should then articulate the risks posed to the individual in your care and demonstrate how you mitigate these by outlining how you would communicate your findings to other relevant professionals.

Face to Face /Blended learning

Classroom or virtual classroom lectures via digital platforms

Group sessions with peers in person or in virtual break out rooms

Use of online resources and assessment tools

1. Critically evaluate a range of mental health assessment approaches to gain an understanding of the key concepts and principles of mental health assessment within the custodial and criminal justice sector.

2. Demonstrate the ability to apply learning from the module to critically reflect on decision making and problem solving in the context of the mental health assessment

3. Demonstrate an understanding of the key factors that impact on an individual’s mental health in a custodial or criminal justice setting and undertake an assessment, making explicit the limitations of your role and responsibilities, and provide the rationale for onward referral if required.

IT equipment and reliable broadband connectivity.

Learning support

Additional study support is available from our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

Study skills (including reading, note-taking, presentation skills)

Written English (including punctuation, grammar)

Academic writing (including how to reference)

Research skills

Critical thinking

Revision, and assessment skills (including time management)

Additional needs support:

If you have additional needs such as dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our AccessAbility Services are here to help.

Johnstone, L. and Dallos, R. (2013) Formulation in Psychology and Psychotherapy: Making sense of people’s problems. London. Routledge.

Mills, A. and Kendall, K. (2018) Mental Health in Prisons: Critical Perspectives on Treatment and Confinement Palgrave Macmillan

Norman, I. J. and Ryri, I. (2018) The art and science of mental health nursing: principles and practice.¿ 4th Edition. Maidenhead. Open University Press.

Trenoweth, S. and Moone, N. (2017) Psychosocial Assessment in Mental Health. London. Sage.

There is growing recognition that mental health is a crucial factor that influences an individual’s overall health and wellbeing. The need to view mental health as a priority with a status equal to that afforded physical health is increasingly reflected in health policy. Furthermore, there is growing acceptance that mental health issues are not only the remit of specialist services but rather demand attention from all services, individuals and professionals who work with people in prison, people on probation, and victims of crime.

This module is designed to facilitate the development of your knowledge and skills in mental health assessment and relevant referral pathways appropriate to your role and scope of practice. Your learning will be facilitated by specialist practitioners via a flexible approach that utilises both face to face contact and blended learning. The module assessment will provide you with the opportunity to apply your enhanced understanding as part of a case study focusing on mental health assessment.