(Please note that this course is not BPS accredited and does not lead to a professional qualification. It is designed for practitioners already working in child and adolescent mental health or related areas). 

Course Brochure

You can download a PDF brochure here. If you would like to have a brochure sent to you, please visit this page to request a course brochure (please select 'Health and Social Care' in the subject area).

Aims of the Course

The principal aims of the course are to equip practitioners with a sound, academic knowledge of the range of factors that influence child mental health, and to enable students to effectively question – and to build on – the basis of their understanding and perspectives. This knowledge will underpin students’ existing practical experience with evidence-based expertise, but will also develop an appreciation of the strengths and limitations of research evidence. The course will also provide a sound and thorough understanding of key disorders in childhood and adolescent mental health, and explore the principles in their management. By completing the course students should be able to enhance their careers in the field of child and adolescent mental health, and to generate new skills for the benefit of their clients and service provision.

Why study Child and Adolescent Mental Health at Leicester?

• The opportunity to learn in a multi-disciplinary forum from tutors who have an extensive wealth of experience in clinical practice and academia relating to child and adolescent mental health and research.
• An evidence-based framework of child mental health and other key issues relevant to child mental health professionals to support practice-based experience.
• Theoretical background supported by clinical relevance to improve the delivery of clinical care, especially in areas which are major components of the child mental health worker role, such as primary care, inter-agency and community services.
• An opportunity to learn using a variety of learning methods, including
  critical evaluation.
• Implications for practice worldwide by sharing knowledge and experience
• Studying part-time allows students to easily fit their course commitments
  into working and family life.
• Flexibility to choose the level of study to suit individual needs, with progression opportunities from the Certificate to the Diploma to the MSc.
• An internationally respected, formal qualification awarded by the University of Leicester.

Please visit http://www2.le.ac.uk/study/ways/distance for more information about distance learning at the University of Leicester 

Who will the Course Benefit?

Our Postgraduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health is

relevant to all those working with children and adolescents who have a need

for formal training to become recognised child and adolescent mental health

professionals and/or to enhance their existing skills. The following professional

groups will find it of particular interest: 

• School, RMN, Paediatric and other nurses
• Primary Mental Health Workers
• Doctors
• Psychologists 
• Teachers
• Occupational therapists 
• Professionals working in voluntary agencies 
• Other child health professionals who have a particular responsibility for child mental health in any international health and welfare systems

Course Content

PS7001: Mental Health and the Community (30 credits)

The aim of this module is to provide a sound academic knowledge base of the factors that influence child mental health and also to enable students to effectively question the basis of their understanding and perspectives and to build on these. The module is divided into four key units which are: Setting the Context; Child and Family Development; Aetiology of Child Mental Health Problems; and Assessment in Child Mental Health. The emphasis is on a sound theoretical knowledge of normal development and critical analysis of the theories of development. 

PS7002: Specific Mental Health Problems of Childhood and Therapeutic Interventions (30 credits)

This module aims to provide a sound and thorough understanding of key disorders in child mental health and their management. It considers the group of mental health problems that can occur in childhood and adolescence as well as considering specific common disorders/problems. It is also designed to cover the key principles in the management of child mental health problems. There is an overview of strategies available with an emphasis on planning management with effective resource use. The principles of team working to deliver quality care will be addressed. Students will also be expected to consider in more detail those strategies that can be applied by non-mental health professionals. This module includes extensive practice-based learning, which is reflected in the total hours of study for the course.

Progression
From 2013 we will be offering a Diploma and MSc in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Students who successfully complete the Certificate will be eligible to continue to the Diploma and then Masters.

Teaching Methods and Assessment

Each module will be taught over the course of a semester. Teaching and learning methods will vary from seminars, podcasts, tasks, case studies, guided  exploration of written materials and group work and group discussions. Directed study and reflective practice and self-assessment of learning will be key aspects of your learning and development.

A variety of methods will be used to assess modules including essays, MCQs, case study presentations and video interviews with children and families.

Course Staff

We offer a unique opportunity to students to learn from a wealth of expertise from both clinical and academic staff attached to the local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, the University of Leicester and other outside agencies.  The wide range of clinical and academic experience offers students a solid base to start their studies from and a comprehensive structure to support them during their course. Please visit this page to read more about our course staff. 

Entry Requirements/How to Apply
The prerequisites to entry for the Certificate are that applicants are working in the field of child and adolescent mental health, or a related area, whether this is paid or voluntary employment.

Applicants will need to hold an honours degree (at least 2:2) or equivalent professional qualification from any discipline, which involves the care of or working with children and adolescents (including teachers, residential care workers, nurses, etc). If you are in any doubt about whether your qualification or experience is appropriate or not, please discuss this with the course organisers.

Applicants whose first language is not English and who have not lived in a country where the first language is English for at least three years immediately prior to the commencement of the course are required to provide evidence of a minimum standard of English language ability. The usual requirement is a score of 6.5 or above in the British Council’s International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or its
equivalent, for example, a score of 575 in a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) including a score of 4.0 in the Test of Written English (TWE). Where one of the above qualifications has not recently been obtained or where, for any other reasons, there is doubt about an applicant’s English language ability, the University reserves the right to set a special test of competence, validated by its English Language Teaching Unit.

N.B. It is emphasised that this course is not aimed at students looking to continue their undergraduate studies, it is designed for practising professionals.

How to Apply 

Applications can be completed online. Please visit www.le.ac.uk/study and search for the course. 

Fees

The course fee is currently £3,208 for the Postgraduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. 

Contact
The Greenwood Institute
Westcotes House
Westcotes Drive
Leicester, LE3 0QU
t: 0116 225 2885
f: 0116 225 2881
e: jrw19@le.ac.uk (Jo Welch, Course Administrator)