Approved Mental Health Professional, PGCert

This is a tightly structured course where all modules are compulsory. You will be assessed throughout your course via written assignments and a practice portfolio.

To apply for this course you will need to be employed in one of the 16 Local Authorities in Wales or the related Health Boards.  You will be selected and funded by your employer to train to undertake the statutory role of an AMHP. 

This role is legislated for by Welsh Government and the programme validated by Social Care Wales.

You will need to be a Social Worker, a mental health nurse working in mental health or learning disabilities, a psychologist or occupational therapist working in mental health or learning disabilities.

You will also need to:

• Be registered with a professional body
• Have at least two years post qualifying experience of working with people with mental disorders or dual diagnosis
• Have the support and agreement of your sponsored employer and have the appropriate learning opportunities.
• Have either a Bachelor or Master’s degree or, in exceptional circumstances, where this academic requirement is not met, you demonstrate your experience and qualifications to equip you for undertaking the Postgraduate study. This can be evidenced by, for example, a relevant Post Qualifying Award.
• If you do not hold a degree you may be required to attend an interview.

The AMHP PG Cert course is taken at Master’s level, therefore a pre-programme study day is provided to all students to promote confidence and support for writing at Master’s level.

There are four core modules taught between October and April, following two induction days in September. 

During the course you will study over one academic year with an arranged placement to gain practical experience. 

Assessment 

Learning is assessed throughout coursework including written assignments and a practice portfolio. The course has a 50% pass mark for all modules.

Placements 

Your employer will be responsible for arranging your work placement.

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study through the medium of Welsh and our dedicated academy for Welsh-medium study, Academi Hywel Teifi, is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We offer you:

• An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
• The option to receive your personal correspondence in Welsh - we will then communicate with you in your language of choice.
• The option to write and submit your coursework or exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and every effort will be made to mark your work in its original language.
• A Welsh-speaking personal tutor.
• One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.

To see further details about the level of provision delivered in Welsh on this particular degree scheme, please see the Welsh-language course page for further information.

Since 2011, there has been a 113% increase in the number of students studying through the medium of Welsh at Swansea University and our TEF* data over the last two years shows that Welsh-medium students are high achievers with regard to employability (*Swansea University TEF return 2017 and 2018).

Co-Director Margaret Lougher has a wealth of experience in mental health service practice and management in both the public and private sectors. She is still a practising AMHP (and previously an ASW) and has proven experience in teaching and supporting students at Master’s level study.

Her current specialist areas of interest are links between Mental Health Act 1983 (2007) with other relevant legislation, national and local policy and guidance, in particular the Children Acts 1989 and 2004, the Human Rights Act and Mental Capacity Act. The service user experience and developing updated methods to integrate those key messages into service delivery are central to her perspective.

Nicola Howard, Co-Director, completed the Diploma in Social Work and qualified in 2004 at Swansea University.  Nicola has practiced as a Social Worker in Child Safeguarding Statutory Services, a Community Mental Health Team and is currently working for an Emergency Duty Team as a generic Senior Social Work Practitioner. 

Nicola is a practising Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) and has held the Qualification for 10 years. Nicola has interests in mental health crisis and support, Children and adolescents access to mental health services and ensuring the views of people accessing services are listened to.

Post qualifications include PQ 6, Practice Assessor award and Team Manager Development Programme. Nicola is joint investigation trained in child and adult safeguarding.  Nicola is a Deprivation of Liberties (DoLs) Assessor, Best Interests Assessor (BIA) and is also an Adult Protection Support Order (APSO) Authorised Officer.

Nicola has trained in Applied suicide intervention skills training (ASIST).

Nicola has worked in social work education at Swansea University since 2016, and is currently also a lecturer on the undergraduate programme and is one of the Practice Learning Opportunity Tutors.

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

• Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
• Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
• Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
• Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
• Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal academic mentor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

• Academic writing
• Maths and statistics
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Digital skills
• Presentation skills
• Note taking
• Revision, memory and exam techniques
• English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

Please make initial contact with the Agency Liaison Person from your Local Authority to seek agreement for nominations.

Nominations are typically sought from partnership agencies (LSSAs) in the Spring. The application process is in two stages.

Stage 1. the Swansea University AMHP Programme’s Nomination and Selection Form  must be completed by the candidate and approved by the Agency Liaison Person in the local authority and submitted to Swansea University.

Stage 2. submit an ‘Application for Admission to Postgraduate Studies’.

For further information and application forms contact Deborah Davies on deborah.davies@swansea.ac.uk or +44 (0)1792 295798; 

Nicola Howard at n.m.howard@swansea.ac.uk Margaret Lougher at m.e.lougher@swansea.ac.uk 

• social workers
• registered mental health nurses
• occupational therapists
• psychologists

You must demonstrate you have the support of an employer who will ensure you are provided with the necessary context within which to develop AMHP  skills and meet the requirements of programme’s approach to assessment; written assignments and a practice portfolio, observation of AMHP practice and opportunity to carry out supported AMHP assessments.

For practical purposes, this will almost invariably be within Local Social Service Authorities (LSSAs).