Trainee Approved Clinician Practice
| Module title | Trainee Approved Clinician Practice |
|---|---|
| Module code | PYCM131 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Catherine Gallop (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 7 | 13 | 12 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 23 |
|---|
Module description
This module builds on the Underpinning knowledge and context for approved clinician practice module. Are you looking to develop the competencies that are required to become an Approved Clinician for the purposes of the Mental Health Act 1983? Do you want to enhance your ability to manage challenges that you face within a mental health context as a Psychologist, Nurse, Occupational Therapist, or Social Worker? This module will be particularly useful if you are considering applying for Approved Clinician status and need to develop the relevant skills and competencies of that role.
Various teaching and learning strategies will be offered as part of this module:
- 1.5 days workshop on the preparation of the Approved Clinician portfolio.
- Nine group Action Learning Sets to support the development of your competencies, build your reflective practice skills and support preparation for your portfolio submission.
- Three individual tutorials to monitor individual progress through the course
- One day of mock tribunals to follow submission of your statutory MHT report
As part of this module, you will also be developing your trainee approved clinician practice in your service setting and receiving regular supervision and mentoring from an Approved Clinician in that setting
Module aims - intentions of the module
The programme will support skill development and reflective practice in relation to the multi-disciplinary Approved Clinician framework and competencies:
- Comprehensive understanding of the AC role, legal responsibilities and key functions of the AC and RC role
- Applied knowledge of legal and policy framework/codes of practice/ NICE guidelines
- Assessment
- Treatment
- Care Planning
- Clinical Leadership & MDT working
- Equality and Diversity
- Communication
This module will allow you to develop a reflective understanding of mental health law and support your development of the application of this understanding into practice via the role of the trainee Approved Clinician. 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 Clinician role you may choose to seek approval for. 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 module.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the role, legal responsibilities and key function of an Approved clinician and Responsible Clinician
- 2. Demonstrate an applied knowledge of mental health legislations, related codes of practice and national and local policy and guidance in relation to the trainee MPAC role
- 3. Ability to explain and reflect upon ethical, legal and commercial issues which may arise in mental health context in relation to the trainee MPAC role
- 4. Ability to analyse complex situations and problems in mental health field with specific reference to the Trainee MPAC role
- 5. Ability to use supervision and personal reflection as a means to improve your personal effectiveness as demonstrated in the reflective assessments in relation to the Trainee MPAC role
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Demonstrate skills of scientific writing and presenting results.
- 7. Review and critically evaluate empirical evidence, published work as well as your own work, using a range of defined techniques.
- 8. Ability to analyse complex situations and problems in mental health field and the ability to reflect on your own knowledge and practice and your current and future role within the workplace
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 9. Think critically, creatively and independently.
- 10. Identify and solve complex problems demonstrating confidence and flexibility.
- 11. Use electronic information retrieval and management tools proficiently and access information from a variety of sources.
- 12. Work effectively on your own and as part of a team / group.
- 13. Manage your own learning (autonomy, time management, self-teaching, self-reflection, seeking and using feedback, personal responsibility, self-criticism).
- 14. Ability to make effective use of feedback in order to enhance your existing knowledge and skills and to make appropriate recommendations for improved workplace practice
Syllabus plan
Various teaching and learning strategies will be offered as part of this module:
- 1.5 days workshop on the preparation of the Approved Clinician portfolio (10.5 hours)
- Nine group Action Learning Sets (1.5 hours) to support the development of your competencies, build your reflective practice skills and support preparation for your portfolio submission (13.5 hours)
- Three individual tutorials (1.5 hours) to monitor individual progress through the course
- One day of mock tribunals (formative assessment) to follow submission of your statutory MHT report (7.5 hours)
- 1 day programme ending workshop
As part of this module, you will also be developing your trainee approved clinician practice in your service setting and receiving regular supervision and mentoring from an Approved Clinician in that setting
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | 120 | 120 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22.75 | Workshops these will be led by the tutor and address a range of important topics covered in the module and to develop clinical competencies |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 37.25 | Action Learning Sets will be led by the tutor, a qualified MPAC and a facilitator to address a range of important topics covered in the module and to develop clinical competencies and support portfolio development |
| Guided Independent Study | 100 | Reading and preparation for seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 20 | Undertaking structured reflective accounts of approved clinician practice with colleagues during workplace role-play or service user work |
| Placement | 120 | Programme members will be employed by their Trusts as trainee MPACs where they will work 3 - 5 days a week over the year. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mock Tribunal role play day: post submission of the assessed MHT statutory report where you will discuss and reflect on your report and make the case for detention in a format similar to a mock tribunal. | One day of group role plays with peers and tutors | 1-14 | Verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A statutory report in relation to anonymised/hypothetical case studies (e.g. a First Tier Tribunal, Managers hearing which you have prepared. The statutory reports may be hypothetical (i.e. they may have been prepared solely for the purposes of the AC application and as though for a statutory purpose), but must be based on your actual personal contact with a patient. | 60 | 4000 words | 1-14 | Written |
| Anonymised, concise, case commentary relating to your involvement in the care of a detained patient, which should demonstrate your awareness, understanding and reflection on key areas of applied AC competence, and the guiding principles of the Code of Practice. These commentaries could relate to the same cases as the statutory reports. | 40 | 2000 words | 1-14 | Written |
| Supervision and Mentoring Log providing a reflective log of service-based supervision and mentoring throughout the programme | 0 | 3000 words | 1-14 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statutory report (4000 words) | Statutory report (4000 words) | 1-14 | 4 weeks |
| Case commentary (2000 words) | Case commentary (2000 words) | 1-14 | 4 weeks |
| Supervision and Mentoring Log (3000 words) | Supervision and Mentoring Log (3000 words) | 1-14 | 4 weeks |
Re-assessment notes
Two assessments are required for this module. In all cases re-assessment will be the same as the original assessment. Where you have been referred/deferred for any form of assessment detailed above you will have the opportunity to retake within four weeks from the date that feedback was provided.
If you pass re-assessments taken as a result of deferral, your re-assessment will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment and the overall module mark will not be capped.
If you pass re-assessments taken as a result of referral (i.e. following initial failure in the assessment), the overall module mark will be capped at 50%.
If you fail re-assessments taken as a result of referral (i.e. following initial failure in the assessment), you will be failed in the module.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Essential reading
Ensure you have a good knowledge of the following documents:
1. Mental Health Act (MHA) 2007 New Roles Guidance produced by the National Institute for Mental Health England (NIMHE):
- Annex E (1) of this document, produced by the National Advisory Group for Approved Clinician Training (NAGACT), provides a guide to becoming an AC.
- Annex E (2), also produced by NAGACT, provides guidance on specific required competencies, their attainment and sources of evidence.
Mental Health Act 2007 - New Roles (PDF)
- Mental Health Act 1983 - Instructions with respect to the Exercise of an Approval Function in Relation to Approved Clinicians 2015 (came into force on 5th January 2016). These Instructions supersede elements of the New Roles Guidance.
2. Mental Health Act 1983 - Instructions re. approved clinicians 2015
- Revised Mental Health Act 1983: Code of Practice (published in 2015) (PDF)
Applicants should consider buying or downloading a copy for reference. 2. Mental Health Act 2007
3. Practice Direction: First-tier Tribunal Health Education and Social Care Chamber: Statements and Reports in Mental Health Cases
4. Mental Capacity Act (MCA).
5. MCA 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS).
RadcliffesLeBrasseur website, especially their mental health law briefings under Publications -
https://www.weightmans.com/search/?StartNode=1192&Sort=1&Search=mental+health+law
http://www.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/code-of-practice-mental-health-act-1983
6. If it is anticipated that you will be fulfilling AC / RC duties in relation to children and young people, familiarity with the Children Acts should be regarded as mandatory rather than recommended, and particular focus should also be given to chapter 19 of the Code of Practice (children and young people under the age of 18). Children Act
7. Psychologists considering preparation for approval are encouraged to consult the British Psychological Society Guidance for Registered Psychologists in Making Applications to the British Psychological Society Approved Clinician Peer Review Panel (September, 2016):-
This Panel will indicate to the applicant and employer whether, from a professional perspective, the applicant’s portfolio demonstrates competence for the role and, where there are shortfalls, how these may be addressed.
This service is also available to psychologists who are not members of the BPS.
Additional recommended reading
8. Safeguarding vulnerable adults and children References:
- Read your own Trust’s and local social services policy document on safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
- And the Children Act 1989.
9. Local, national, and international guidelines pertinent to your role. For example National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) treatment guidelines, CPA policy, safeguarding and risk assessment documentation etc.
10. Role of the CQC including role of SOAD. Visit the CQC website. 11. Care Act 2014.
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module co-requisites | PYCM130 Underpinning knowledge and context for approved clinician practice |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 17/03/2022 |
| Last revision date | 07/06/2022 |
