LW7001 - Work Based Project in Mental Health Law

You will be provided with a module handbook which outlines the activities that you should undertake on the module. You will have a tutor, who is responsible for the teaching and assessment on the module, who you can contact if you have any questions and who will also provide you with feedback on your work.

You will be provided with learning materials which will direct and support you through the various stages of carrying out a work based project. These will be made available via the module e-Learning (elp) site. You will also be provided with guided reading which is detailed on the module’s electronic reading list.

You will be expected to identify a work-based project suitable for completion during this module. You will need to identify a topic, the specific aims and anticipated outcomes of that project, the research methods you will use, the resources you will need, a schedule of key dates and how you anticipate that completion of the project will enhance your effectiveness and employability. Your tutor will provide you with support as you undertake your project. It is expected that you will also receive support from a workplace supervisor or mentor, who will provide you with the support and resources that you need within the workplace for you to complete the project.

This module will be managed by your designated Module Tutor who will be responsible for guiding you in your engagement and learning on 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 at module level to facilitate discussions between you and your Module Tutor, to provide materials, make announcements and to highlight recent developments in the law. 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. Your module tutor is happy to provide you with guidance and support throughout the process of completing your project.

At programme level you will be supported by the Programme Leader who will provide pastoral support throughout the module and the programme as a whole.

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, for example, the assignment process. 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.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
• KU 1 – You will have a comprehensive and critical understanding of relevant mental health law and a critical awareness of some of the problems and tensions within mental health law and practice

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• IPSA 1:– You will be able identify a research project which addresses your own professional goals and organisational/professional requirements and, taking fully account of the ethical, legal and commercial issues which arise in the mental health context, apply appropriate practical, methodologically sound research techniques in order to complete that project
• IPSA 2: You will be able to use your knowledge and understanding of mental health law and practice in order to make informed judgments and make recommendations in relation to the problems and dilemmas that may arise in the mental health context

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• WBP PVA 1: You will be able to plan and manage a project within an agreed framework, making informed judgements and managing dilemmas
• WBC PVA 2: You will be able to reflect upon your knowledge and learning over the course of the programme and your role in the workplace and make appropriate recommendations for organisational development

You will be required to submit coursework of no more than 5000 words comprising:

(a) A statutory report in relation to an anonymised/hypothetical case study. This should be between 2000 and 3000 words in length.
(b) A reflective report of approximately 2000 words which should reflect upon the learning that has developed over the programme and which has informed the case study.

All module learning outcomes will be assessed.

None

In the ‘Work Based Project in Mental Health Law’ module you will undertake a work-based project, the scope of which you will negotiate with your module tutor and your employer. At the conclusion of your project you must submit a statutory report relating to the care of a hypothetical detained patient. This must be accompanied by a reflective analysis and explanatory commentary on the report, considering, for example, how the report was constructed, how the law was used and how the report illustrates you have developed the competencies of an Approved Clinician. The module will thus not only help you develop your ability to critically apply relevant mental health law but also help you prepare for the Approved Clinican role. Your tutor will provide you with academic support and guidance during the module, via the module elearning site, email and telephone. They will also provide feedback as to how your submission demonstrates the competencies required for Approved Clinician approval.