Foundations in Specialist Mental Health Practice
Everything you need to know
- Start date: October 2026
- End date: February 2027
- Module leader: Alan Marshall
- Level: 7
- Credits: 15
Introduction
You will gain current knowledge and skills with an opportunity to reflect on your developmental needs. You will gain consolidation of your practice by undertaking a direct observation.
Patients benefit from workers updating their knowledge and skills.
Who is this course/module for?
Post-qualified professionals who wish to extend their knowledge and skills in mental health practice at a postgraduate level - social workers, nurses, occupational therapists and others. It would also be suitable for managers in health and social care who wished to improve their mental health knowledge. People who work with people who have mental health problems, but don't feel that they have enough understanding and wish to improve it. In the past we have had adult nurses, A&E nurses social workers from different client groups, third sector managers and occupational therapists.
The module can be used to prepare candidates for the PgCert Approved Mental Health Professional course or similar postgraduate mental health courses. We will consider applications from non-qualified applicants who can show they have some experience working with people in mental distress and whose work involves writing reports of some kinds.
The assessment involves an essay looking at three experiences you have of working with people in mental distress in some capacity, and developing a Personal Development Plan for improving your knowledge and experience.
What you’ll learn
You will build on your existing knowledge and skills in mental health practice and develop a continuing professional development plan.
Skills you’ll gain
- Analyse complex mental health cases
- Understand a range of interventions to improve the lives of those in distress
- Develop an understanding of your own developmental and skills needs in mental healthpractice.
How you’ll learn
The learning materials are written and delivered by a vibrant team with presentations delivered by specialist practitioners from different professions. The teaching is face to face in classroom - 6 days over a couple of months.
Fees and Funding for 2026/27
| Indicative price for stand-alone module |
Home student: £915 EU / International students: £930 - The University cannot sponsor a Student Visa for CPD modules. However, if you already have permission to study in the UK, you can apply. If you’re unsure whether your visa allows this, please contact the International Experience Team at hallamhelp@shu.ac.uk to discuss your options. |
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| Funding |
This module attracts Workforce Development / Workforce Transformation funding WDF/WTF by the following schemes: |
| How to apply |
To apply for a self-funded place, please complete and return the application form below: |
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Entry requirements
Relevant professionals include: social workers, care workers, social care managers, nurses, occupational therapy, teachers, third sector employees
You will need to have some experience and opportunities to work with people experiencing mental distress in some form in your work - you do not need to work in a mental health service.
Ability to study at Postgraduate level - usually a graduate qualification of professional qualification.
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Attendance
Delivery Method:
Taught on Collegiate Campus. All teaching, learning activities and assessments take place on Collegiate Campus. Sessions are fully timetabled, and student attendance is expected for all scheduled teaching. We will require all non-British and non-Irish students to attend campus for an in-person verification check to comply with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requirements at the start of their first module.
View our statement on notional study hours »
Provisional timetable
Tutorials will be held on the following dates:
- 9 October 2026
- 16 October 2026
- 23 October 2026
- 6 November 2026
- 13 November 2026
- 20 November 2026
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Assessment
Module assessment is made up of one or more assessment tasks. The assessment task(s) for this module are:
- Written Essay
Successful completion of this module will earn you 15 level 7 credits
Further details
For further information please contact the module leader Alan Marshall - alan.marshall@shu.ac.uk