What will I learn on this module?
At the outset of this module you will be asked to negotiate a learning contract with your academic supervisor. This should also be approved by a workplace mentor. Through the process of preparing this learning contract you will, in conjunction with your supervisor, identify where you need to develop further knowledge and skills relevant to the Approved Clinician competencies, what learning activities need to be undertaken to meet those needs and a timescale for completing them. You will then be required to engage in at least six full days (48 hours) of continuing professional development relevant to the Approved Clinician competencies. You are offered the opportunity to participate in a series of half day sessions of training offered by Northumbria Law School. These training days are designed to prepare practitioners to apply for approval to become an Approved Clinician. As such they will cover, for example: the legal context and overall legal framework relating to the Approved Clinican role; assessment in the context of the Approved Clinican role; clinical leadership, report writing and communication; equality and diversity; and preparation of the Approved Clinician portfolio. CPD activities may be completed by other means, for example by attendance on a short course, one-to-one coaching, workshops, conferences and seminars or engagement in discussion with your learning set (if you choose not to attend all sessions offered by Northumbria then you will need to engage in additional activities elsewhere to ensure that you complete the full six days of CPD activities).
How will I learn on this module?
The programme is underpinned by the notion of reflective practice. A range of learning experiences will be used to help you reflect on what you already know, what you need to learn, what you learn during the module and how it will you to improve what you do and how you do it.
You will be afforded the opportunity to attend a series of half day sessions of continuing professional development activities. These study days will be led by your module tutor, but you will also be provided witih opportunity for discussion both with fellow students and with your tutor. You are encouraged to join a learning set with other students, with whom you will be able to discuss relevant issues both at the CPD days and away from the university. In addition you will be provided with a module handbook which outlines the specific activities that you should undertake, together with further learning materials which will be available via the module e-Learning (elp) site. This includes an electronic reading list indicating recommending reading.
You will be expected to undertake an evaluation of your own learning, building on the literature to which you have been directed. Your tutor will support you to develop your reflection. At an early stage in the module you are encouraged to submit a learning contract evaluating your current skills and knowledge and areas for development. Your tutor will provide you with feedback upon this learning contract , and encourage you to reflect further in light of this feedback. You are also encouraged to discuss your progress with your workplace mentor.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
This module will be managed by your Module Tutor who will be responsible for guiding you through the module. All relevant materials and instructions will be accessible on-line through the module elp site, maintained by your Module Tutor. Extensive use is made of the elp to facilitate discussions between you and your Module Tutor, to provide materials, make announcements and to highlight recent developments in the law. You will be able to raise queries with your module tutor at the CPD days. You may also communicate with your Module Tutor by e-mail or telephone and are encouraged to make contact if you encounter any difficulties relating to any aspect of the module. Academic support is also available through summative and formative feedback on assignments and through the module handbook, which details how the module is delivered and assessed.
A designated administrator is responsible for the non-academic administration of the module. They will contact you throughout the duration of your module with details about enrolment, arrangements for attendance at study days, assignment process etc. Their contact details are provided in the programme handbook. If you have concerns about issues that may affect your ability to complete the module satisfactorily you should not hesitate to contact your Programme Leader, who will provide pastoral support throughout the module and the programme as a whole.
In addition as a distance learning student at Northumbria you will be able to access a range of on-line legal databases and resources which you will find useful for your studies, and through the SCONUL scheme may also utilise resources at other institutions.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
• You will have a critical understanding of mental health law and the role of the Approved Clinician and be able to reflect upon your existing knowledge to identify areas for further development
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• You will be able to provide a written explanation and assessment of your current knowledge and skills and be able to explain how such knowledge and skills are important in the context of your employment and any future Approved Clinican role you may choose to seek approval for
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• You will be able to provide evidence of your critical reflection both upon your pre-existing knowledge and areas for further development and upon the learning activities undertaken during the ‘Academic Recognition of CPD’ module
How will I be assessed?
You will produce a reflective commentary of maximum 3000 words comprising:
(a) A record and evidence of CPD activities undertaken including evidence of attendance and information gathered
(b) A commentary evaluating; the learning activities undertaken; your understanding of mental health law, and wider ethical, commercial and legal issues; your understanding of how your knowledge and skills have developed as a result of the learning experiences on the module; and how the knowledge and skills developed on the module have been used in the workplace and for your personal and professional development.
(c) Your reflective commentary should also include a copy of your own learning contract , if you have prepared one. We advise that you should have prepared this at an early stage in the module to identify the learning you consider that you need to undertake and the training that you propose to take in order to meet your needs. If you have not prepared a learning contract then your reflective commentary will need to address the issues that would have otherwise been addressed in that contract..
All module learning outcomes will be assessed.
Pre-requisite(s)
Co-requisite(s)
None
Module abstract
Professionals working in the mental health field undertake continuing professional development, often because it is a requirement imposed by a professional body or an employer, or because it is necessary to do so to keep abreast of developments in the field. This module ‘Academic Recognition of CPD’ will enable you to gain academic credit for your CPD learning (for example for short courses, conferences, workshops, one-to-one coaching). It includes a series of half days of CPD training sessions/study days (approximately 18 sessions) . In addition you will be supported to develop a learning contract , which will help you to develop your ability to reflect upon your knowledge and practice and your role within the workplace. Feedback will be provided to assist you to determine where your training needs lie, with the aim of the module being to enhance your existing knowledge and skills and to help you identify how workplace practice might be improved. This module will be particularly useful if you are considering applying for Approved Clinician status and need to develop the competencies of that role.
Course info
Credits 30
Level of Study Postgraduate
Mode of Study 1 year Distance Learning
Department Northumbria Law School
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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