Applied Mental Health Practice

Entry requirements

The normal entry requirements for the programme are that the applicant has:

• A professional qualification and full registration (with the respective regulatory body) as a social worker, mental health or learning disability nurse, occupational therapist, or psychologist. Applicants will need to remain so registered for the duration of the course.
  
• Suitability in relation to their conduct, health and character, where suitability refers to fitness to practice. There is more detail in Social Work England’s fitness to practice guidance, the Health and Care Professions Council’s fitness to practice guidance, and the Nursing & Midwifery Council’s fitness to practice guidance. 
  
• Evidence of completing a relevant post-qualifying course at master's level (level 7): completion of the university’s Pre-AMHP Foundation course is normally required.
  
• Suitable prior experience of the practical application of appropriate legislation and policy, specifically but not limited to mental health, mental capacity and human rights legislation. Confirmed in a nomination form completed by the relevant AMHP lead.
  
• Support from a Local Authority/ Trust who will offer a statutory placement in a mental health setting which will provide the relevant experience to achieve the module learning outcomes and who will also provide an experienced Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) to act as a Practice Learning Educator.
  
• Confirmed they are in agreement for information about their grades, attendance, and performance to be shared by the University with the employing authority, Practice Learning Educator and relevant AMHP lead.
  
• Successfully completed a University of Hertfordshire (UH) PG Cert AMHP programme interview. The interview panel will normally include a person with lived experience, the AMHP lead from the nominating AMHP service, and an AMHP programme tutor from the University. Experience of shadowing at least 3 Mental Health Act Assessments prior to the interview taking place is normally required.
  
• Commitment that they will have no other work, training or other commitments during the PG Cert AMHP Programme which could prevent or delay completion of the course.
  
• Have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate with adult and child workforce barred list checks. This certificate must be issued within three years prior to the programme start, unless the applicant has an active subscription to the DBS update service.
  
• Where applicants are self-employed or not employed by a Local Authority or Trust DBS and Occupational Health clearances by the University, will be required before commencing any placement activity.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The course is designed for qualified Mental Health professionals seeking to qualify and practice as Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs).

AMHPs assess individuals who may need compulsory measures of care and treatment. The role carries considerable autonomy and responsibility as well as the opportunity to positively impact on lives and make a positive contribution to society.

This important and complex role involves working alongside a range of professionals in order to safeguard the health, safety, wellbeing and rights of people. The AMHP training at the University of Hertfordshire (UH) ensures that you are trained and assessed to the highest of standards, through strong partnerships with a range of key stakeholders.