Programme Specification for the 2025/6 academic year
PGCert PGCert Professional Practice in Mental Health Law (Trainee MPAC)
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | PGCert PGCert Professional Practice in Mental Health Law (Trainee MPAC) | Programme code | PCT1PYCLAW01 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Part Time |
Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
You will study within a vibrant, stimulating and internationally-recognised research environment, where members of your teaching team have first-hand experience relevant to the trainee MPAC role. Your learning experience will be enriched by nationally-recognised, innovative, clinical teaching approaches.
An approved clinician (AC) is “a person approved by the appropriate national authority to act as an approved clinician for the purposes of the Mental Health Act 1983” while a responsible clinician is the “AC who has been given overall responsibility for a patient’s case”. The 2007 amendments to the Mental Health Act 1983 introduced the roles of approved clinician and responsible clinician, enabling mental health professionals other than psychiatrists to carry out duties previously performed by psychiatrists. This has enabled non-medics to take on this role for the overall care and treatment of service users detained under the Act. This allows mental health or LD nurses, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists and Social Workers and SAS doctors to become multi-disciplinary approved clinicians. The MPAC term refers to anyone who trained to become an Approved Clinician via the AC Portfolio Route.
The introduction of these roles was intended to deliver enhanced quality of care while also ensuring the best use of our skilled and professionally diverse workforce. It is therefore important to ensure that the approved clinician is the clinician with the right set of skills to address the patient’s main treatment needs. The adoption of this role will allow patients to benefit from the unique perspectives of nurses, social workers, Occupational Therapists and psychologists.
This programme has been designed with reference to the NHS England National curriculum for Approved Clinicians and the Mental Health Act 1983, Instructions with Respect to the Exercise of An Approval Function in Relation to Approved Clinicians 2015 and the Mental Health Act New Roles Guidance (NIMHE, October 2008). The programme will provide you with a systematic academic and work-based means to enable eligible professionals to prepare for the Approved Clinician (AC) role (Mental Health Act 1983). On successful completion of the programme students will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice in Mental Health Law. A strong emphasis throughout the programme will be placed upon your personal and professional development.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
The programme aims to help you develop specialist knowledge in mental health law and apply that knowledge in to practice relevant to trainee multi professional approved clinicians and AC/RC practice. It will be particularly relevant if you are a registered Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, first level nurse whose practice field is mental health or learning disability, a registered social worker, or appropriately placed medical professional (e.g. SAS Doctors) and you are interested in becoming an Approved Clinician for the purposes of the Mental Health Act 1983. The programme is therefore designed to support students to develop the knowledge and competencies that they need to acquire if they wish to obtain approval as an Approved Clinician.
The programme aims to support you to develop a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the Approved Clinician role, legal responsibilities and key functions of an Approved Clinician and the Responsible Clinician including an applied knowledge of mental health legislation, related codes of practice and national and local policy and guidance. The programme will enable you to identify learning needs, develop reflective skills and draw on work-based experience and training to demonstrate knowledge and competencies for the Approved Clinician role.
4. Programme Structure
The PGCert Professional Practice in Mental Health Law (trainee MPAC) programme is a twelve month part-time programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme is offered in a single stage.
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
The PGCert Professional Practice in Mental Health Law (trainee MPAC) programme is a twelve month part-time programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme is offered in a single stage.
Stage 1
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| PYCM130 | Mental Health Law: Underpinning Knowledge and Context | 30 | Yes |
| PYCM131 | Trainee Approved Clinician Practice | 30 | Yes |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the role, legal responsibilities and key function of an Approved clinician and Responsible Clinician | Knowledge and detailed informationare developed through lectures, tutorials, Action Learning Sets, supported by directed research of texts. Clinical competency is developed through clinical skills modelling, case studies, role play, practice-based experience, service-based supervision and mentoring and self-practice/self-reflection, supported by directed research of texts and journals. Independent study and practice also form a major part of our teaching and learning methods. | The ILOs are assessed by the following individual methods or a combination of these. ILOs 1-5: Learning Needs Plan/proposal (formative): Learning proposal in which you will reflect upon your existing knowledge and experience, and the organisational, personal and professional needs that have led you to undertake this programme. You will identify your learning objectives and be able to discuss those learning objectives with your tutor. Presentation on clinically relevant Approved Clinician topic in front of your peers (formative). A multiple-choice exam (summative): This will cover the mental health law you have learnt throughout the course. Essay (summative): An outline of the role of the AC/RC and its responsibilities. Students should show their understanding of the role and what is required of the RC and the AC. Students should be able to discuss incidents when they have carried out these responsibilities under supervision. A statutory report (summative): In relation to anonymised/hypothetical case studies (e.g. a First Tier Tribunal, or 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. An anonymised, concise, case commentary (summative): 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. Additionally, there are 5 Action Learning Set sessions throughout the course. During each session, two trainees will present on an area of your clinical practice. Following the presentation, you will receive written feedback from the ALS facilitator. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
6. Demonstrate skills of scientific writing and presenting results. | All ILOs are developed through lectures, tutorials, Action Learning and supported by directed research of texts and. Independent but directed and prescribed study and practice also forms a major part of our teaching and learning methods. | The ILOs are assessed by the following individual methods or a combination of these. ILOs 6-8 The ILOs are assessed by the following individual methods or a combination of these. Learning Needs Plan/proposal (formative): Learning proposal in which you will reflect upon your existing knowledge and experience, and the organisational, personal and professional needs that have led you to undertake this programme. You will identify your learning objectives and be able to discuss those learning objectives with your tutor. Presentation on clinically relevant Approved Clinician topic in front of your peers (formative). A multiple-choice exam (summative): This will cover the mental health law you have learnt throughout the course. Essay (summative): An outline of the role of the AC/RC and its responsibilities. Students should show their understanding of the role and what is required of the RC and the AC. Students should be able to discuss incidents when they have carried out these responsibilities under supervision. A statutory report (summative): In relation to anonymised/hypothetical case studies (e.g. a First Tier Tribunal, or 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. An anonymised, concise, case commentary (summative): 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. Additionally, there are 5 Action Learning Set sessions throughout the course. During each session, two trainees will present on an area of your clinical practice. Following the presentation, you will receive written feedback from the ALS facilitator. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
9. Think critically, creatively and independently. | All ILOs are developed through lectures, tutorials, Action Learning and supported by directed research of texts and. Independent but directed and prescribed study and practice also forms a major part of our teaching and learning methods. | The ILOs are assessed by the following individual methods or a combination of these. ILOs 9-14 The ILOs are assessed by the following individual methods or a combination of these. Learning Needs Plan/proposal (formative): Learning proposal in which you will reflect upon your existing knowledge and experience, and the organisational, personal and professional needs that have led you to undertake this programme. You will identify your learning objectives and be able to discuss those learning objectives with your tutor. Presentation on clinically relevant Approved Clinician topic in front of your peers (formative). A multiple-choice exam (summative): This will cover the mental health law you have learnt throughout the course. Essay (summative): An outline of the role of the AC/RC and its responsibilities. Students should show their understanding of the role and what is required of the RC and the AC. Students should be able to discuss incidents when they have carried out these responsibilities under supervision. A statutory report (summative): In relation to anonymised/hypothetical case studies (e.g. a First Tier Tribunal, or 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. An anonymised, concise, case commentary (summative): 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. Additionally, there are 5 Action Learning Set sessions throughout the course. During each session, two trainees will present on an area of your clinical practice. Following the presentation, you will receive written feedback from the ALS facilitator. |
7. Programme Regulations
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook.
Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
Programme-specific Progression Rules
You must pass all modules in the table above. The pass mark for these modules is 50% with an additional requirement to pass all individual assessments within individual modules. You must pass these assessments as described in the individual module descriptors. If you fail any compulsory assessments your registration as a student will be terminated with immediate effect.
There is a 100% attendance requirement. Should your attendance fall below 80%, you and your tutor will create and implement an action plan.
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students’ learning.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
14. Awarding Institution
ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland)
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
N/A
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
PGCert PGCert Professional Practice in Mental Health Law (Trainee MPAC)
19. UCAS Code
N/A
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | 60 |
ECTS credits | 30 |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
Not applicable
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 30/11/2021 |
Date of last revision | 02/12/2024 |
|---|
