Values, Ethics and Evidence Informed Practice
Everything you need to know
Start date: September 2026 and April 2027
End date: October 2025 and May 2027
Module leader: Alan Marshall
Level: 7
Credits: 15
Introduction
The aim is to engage students in the values and ethical dilemmas that underpin specialist mental health practice and statutory roles within the often contested debates concerning evidence from research, especially around the use of the MHA 1983 and AMHP assessments.
Who is this course/module for?
Anyone who wants to improve their knowledge of the ethical context around AMHP practice or the MHA 1983. The module is part of the PG Cert AMHP programme, but can be taken as a stand-alone module - it will not, by itself, qualify you to work as an AMHP. This would be suitable for anyone who works with people affected by the MHA 1983.
What you’ll learn
- Service user and carer perspectives particularly in relation to statutory interventions
- Values of recovery, social justice and challenging inequality that underpin mental health practice
- Codes of Practice and Codes of Ethics
- Ethical dilemmas involving balancing rights and risks
- Epistemological standpoints and paradigms of mental health including social perspectives
- Specialist topics e.g. substance use; race and mental health; psychiatric diagnosis and treatment; pharmacology
- Topical, relevant research findings and examination of the evidence base that informs practice.
Skills you’ll gain
You will learn about the ethical and evidence issues around a range of service-user groups. You will be able to analyse some of the research around what causes mental distress and what works to help people recover. You will be able to understand various models of mental distress and their consequences.
How you’ll learn
- workshops
- lectures
- group and individual tasks
- private study
- online reading
- interactive debates and discussions
- online discussions.
Fees and Funding for 2026/27
| Indicative price for stand-alone module |
Home / EU student: £915 EU / International students: N/A N/A - not open to International /EU |
|---|---|
| How to apply |
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Entry requirements
- a qualification in social work, occupational therapy, nursing or chartered psychology
- registration with relevant professional body
- two years post-qualification experience.
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Attendance
Delivery Method:
Blended learning (in-person and online learning activities). A mix of on-campus and online learning, with both in-person sessions and digital activities included in your course. 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
From September 2026:
- Wednesday 7 September
- Wednesday 14 September
- Monday 21 September
- Monday 28 September
- Monday 5 October
- Monday 12 October
- Monday 19 October
From April 2027:
- Monday 12 April
- Monday 19 April
- Monday 26 April
- Wednesday 28 April
- Monday 3 May
- Monday 10 May
- Monday 17 May
- Monday 24 May
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Assessment
Module assessment is made up of one or more assessment tasks. The assessment task(s) for this module are:
- Coursework
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