PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD IN MENTAL HEALTH PEER SUPPORT
Applications will open in Autumn 2023
Enquiries can be made to Kelly Gilmour – email kelly@mindspacepk.com or call 01738 639657.
The Professional Development Award in Mental Health Peer Support at SCQF level 7 has been developed to facilitate learning for individuals who wish to act in the role of peer support workers either in a voluntary or paid capacity. As such, it is intended to become the primary qualification for people working in this role.
The award may be undertaken by anyone wishing to develop their skills in this area. The only conditions of entry are that candidates should have personal experience of mental health challenges and be able to provide evidence of good written and oral communication skills (at least SCQF level 5). This will be tested during an interview situation and checked through production of relevant qualifications. Candidates wishing to undertake this award should also be able to demonstrate awareness of and active involvement in mental health support either in the capacity of paid employment or as a volunteer.
Successful completion of this award may lead to opportunities for employment as a peer support worker. It may also lead to you being able to gain access to a range of other related mental health and social service qualifications. In personal terms, successful completion of a course such as this can lead to increased self-confidence and personal and professional competence.
The award is made of two Units each of which requires about forty hours of study. This will mainly be undertaken in digital weekly 3-hour group learning sessions, with each unit lasting 10-12 weeks. Depending on government guidance in relation to COVID-19 there may also be regular recall days at Mindspace premises. You will also need to carry out some individual research and study. You should also be prepared to make a commitment to studying in your own time as well as the time you spend ‘in class’ / online. Writing of the assignments also takes some time and this varies from one student to another. As this is a Level 7 course, the candidate is expected to research, read and draw on resources beyond the class/tutorial materials and critically engage with them.