The module provides Trainee Assistant Practitioners with the opportunity to demonstrate development of practice through a competency framework approach.

The aim of the module is to enable students to develop knowledge and understanding of mental health and illness and to apply this to the holistic needs of those that utilise mental health services, including family and carers. The indicative content is to be based upon recommendations/standards of the 10 Essential Shared Capabilities (DH, 2004) and National Occupational Standards (NOS, 2007). The Module explores concepts and models related to healthy individuals and the communities within which they live; assessment and delivery of values based health care/interventions; and the influence of policy in empowering practice.

Indicative Content

Competency development
Mental health and wellbeing
Health promotion and health education
Values based practice
Maintaining safe practice
Law, policies and ethics related to mental health care

The Module provides Trainee Assistant Practitioners with the opportunity to evidence how they have enhanced the experience of mental health service users receiving care/interventions. The majority of the learning hours are work based and located within the independent study hours - 540 hours.

Contact Hours: (60)
48 hours Interactive lecturers
6 hours Group work and discussion
6 hours Individual Tutorials

Independent Study Hours: (540)
300 hours to be negotiated between the student and clinical practice mentor, using the WORLD Model (Channell 2002) in order to achieve competencies.
240 hours preparation for assessment

Core texts
Laptop, projector and PowerPoint
Internet access
Library
Clinical mentor
Personal tutor
Blackboard

Barry M (2007) Implementing mental health promotion Churchill Livingstone Edinburgh
Kinsella, C & Kinsella C (2006) Introducing Mental Health: A Practical Guide. London, Jessica Kingsley Publications
Pilgrim, D. (2005) Key Concepts in Mental Health, London, Sage
Seedhouse, D. (2009) Ethics-the heart of healthcare 3rd edition Chicester, John Wiley & Sons
Tew, J. (2005) (Ed.) Social perspectives in mental health- developing social models to understand and work with mental distress London: Jessica Kingsley

Other information:
Employers Business plan, Appraisal, Job Description, Statutory training

To be supported by employer to undertake the Trainee Assistant Practitioner role/award

To be registered on the FDSc Mental Health

Participation in an ASYNCHRONOUS DISCUSSION FORUM that takes place across the year weighted at 50%. A VIVA VOCE EXAMINATION - length 20 minutes weighted at 50%.

1) Asynchronous discussion forum that utilises evidence to support discussion around delivering care in mental health settings. This will involve a minimum of 2 submissions for each of the three discussion topics - maximum wordage per submission 500 words. Weighted at 50% (assessing LO's 1-6 )

2) A Viva Voce examination (30 minutes) exploring the learning undertaken whilst undertaking the role of Trainee Assistant Practitioner. This will also include discussion of areas for further development in the second year of the course. The Viva Voce is supported by utilising a profile of evidence to inform discussion. Weighted at 50% (assessing LO's 1-6)

All assessments have to be passed in order to progress through the course.
n.b.Formative feedback will include lecturer, clinical mentor and peer feedback through group work, progress reviews and in personal and group tutorials.

This is a core part of Trainee Assistant Practitioner - Mental Health Apprenticeship Pathway.  The year 1 module provides Trainee Assistant Practitioners with the opportunity to demonstrate development of clinical practice through a competency framework approach.  Students are asked to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of mental health and mental illness around a range of specific clinical competences related to their clinical area.