Accredited Level 3 Diploma in Mental Health & Social Care

) to build on knowledge, understanding and skills gained at that level. Or simply starting from a point of wanting to enhance professional care skills.

• The course encourages students to develop the critical, analytical and evaluative skills which will enable them to either go on to Higher Education to study a wide range of health & social care courses, including: nursing; social work; counselling; psychology; care management and other similar subjects.

This course consists of Ten Units and is a qualification awarded by Oxford Learning College, in its own right; with the quality assurance of a leading awarding body (CIE/ABC) that hallmarks this professional qualification.

Assessment Objectives (AO)
AO: 1

Students must select and demonstrate clearly relevant knowledge and understanding through the use of evidence, examples and correct language and terminology appropriate to the course of study. In addition, for synoptic assessment, students should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the connections between different elements of their course of study. This assessment, involves two written assignments: one halfway through the course and following the final unit. Both are assessed and graded by the assigned tutor, according to college procedures.

AO: 2

Students must critically evaluate and justify a point of view through the use of evidence and reasoned argument. In addition, for synoptic assessment, students should relate elements of their course of study to their broader context and to aspects of human experience.

Quality of Written Communication (QWC)

In addition, OLC require students’ to produce written material in English, candidates must: ensure that text is legible and that spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPG) are accurate so that meaning is clear; select and use a form and style of writing appropriate to studying a complex subject matter; organise information clearly and coherently, using specialist vocabulary when appropriate and Harvard referencing of citation and sources. In this Specification, SPG will be assessed in all tutor marked assignments (TMAs)

To ensure that we maintain quality standards; all our students written assignments are subject to our plagiarism policy and procedure.

Key Features

OLC offer the opportunity to study Mental Health & Social Care at a professional level 3 validated diploma course. The student will learn and/or review the many aspects of social care; be able to apply and use that gained knowledge in most mental health care sectors.

This course has several features:

• To develop an understanding of heath & social care theory.
• To treat the subject as a professional discipline, providing the academic knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate for specialist study.
• To teach students an enquiring, reflective and critical approach to the study of mental health in social care and, it’s many features.
• To encourage students to reflect on their own professional care practice, the norms, perceptions, values and opinions in the light of their study.

COURSE CONTENT

The whole level three diploma has TEN (10) specific units of study, which are sub-divided into topic areas these are:

Unit 1: The History, Definition of Mental Health & Social Care

In this unit, student will explore the history and social stigma that has been mental health; the current trends for community caring; the notion of “what is care”; legislative impact; attitudes and the typography of “mental health suffers/service users” – formally known as: patients!

Unit 2: Research and Statistics

The unit explores how mental health has been measured and studied. This will include: how raw research data has been gathered; the typography and demographics of mental health; current research; interpretation of statistics; patient profiling and future service planning.

Unit 3: Diagnosis & Treatment of Mental Health Conditions

The unit explores the different diagnostic tools used in diagnosis of conditions – GAINS; K6; ASI; PDSQ and ICD etc. What does a diagnosis involve; the treatment plan; primary and secondary care; the role of the professionals and associated care teams.

Unit 4: Mental Health Conditions

This unit helps the student explore some of the core conditions diagnosed in mental health; the features; psychological and anatomical assessments; diagnosed and staging; the treatment plan. How and why are, treatments use, explored and offered.

Unit 5: Social Inclusion

The unit will help the student understand the wider concerns of the stigma of being a mental health suffers; the isolation; social exclusion etc. How should suffers be helped within society – how is social inclusion planned, encouraged to promote independence, coping strategies and networking support.

Unit 6: Our Ageing Society

The general consensus from research is that the UK is experiencing a greater impact on resources including health as the demographic of larger elderly population becomes a reality. This unit considers ageing impact on caring services; mental health diagnostics/treatments and how training models for care personnel are changing to meet this demand.

Unit 7: Care Services and Support

The crucial collaboration between health and social care has never been more necessary; in this unit we explore how these once, finite services are coping in a 21st century. The unit topics will be: legislation; care eligibility; care staff competence/training and much more.

Unit 8: The Community Mental Health Team (CMHT)

The unit offers the student an overview of the professionals and the work that this important NHS led service provides; to support mental health suffers in the community. This will include: collaborative partnering; engaging; assessing crisis and managing care.

Unit 9: Assessment of Risk

This unit explores important and crucial assessment of risk, both for the sufferer; the care team and community. What is a good ‘risk strategy’; how is it managed – what happens when things go wrong? Students will learn about: institutional risks; community risk assessment and patient/suffer risks.

Unit 10: The Future of Mental Health &Social Care

In this final unit we bring together the learning from the preceding units. In doing so, and with additional study material, the student will explore how the sector is radically different from just a decade ago; how economic; demographics and lifestyle are impacting on a once finite service.

ASSESSMENT

The coursework is assessed through continuous assessment with no formal exit examinations.

Assignments

The course has TWO Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA); which are graded: Pass or Fail. 1 at the end of unit 5 & 10.

Study Hours (Per Unit)

Approximately: One Hundred and Twenty (120) hours of personal study time, which is supported by the ODL