Approved Mental Health Professional, PGCert

This is a tightly structured course where all modules are compulsory. You will be assessed throughout your course via written assignments and a practice portfolio.

To apply for this course you will need to be employed in one of the 16 Local Authorities in Wales or the related Health Boards.  You will be selected and funded by your employer to train to undertake the statutory role of an AMHP. 

This role is legislated for by Welsh Government and the programme is validated by Social Care Wales.

You will need to be a Social Worker, a mental health nurse working in mental health or learning disabilities, a psychologist or occupational therapist working in mental health or learning disabilities.

You will also need to:

• Be registered with a professional body
• Have at least two years post qualifying experience of working with people with mental disorders or dual diagnosis
• Have the support and agreement of your sponsored employer and have the appropriate learning opportunities.
• Have either a Bachelor's or Master’s degree or, in exceptional circumstances, where this academic requirement is not met, you demonstrate your experience and qualifications to equip you for undertaking the Postgraduate study. This can be evidenced by, for example, a relevant Post Qualifying Award.
• If you do not hold a degree you may be required to attend an interview.

The AMHP PG Cert course is taken at Master’s level, therefore a pre-programme study day is provided to all students to promote confidence and support for writing at Master’s level.

We are proud to provide an outstanding educational experience, using the most effective learning and teaching approaches, carefully tailored to suit the specific needs of your course. Apart from a small number of online-only courses, most of our courses consist of in-person, on-campus teaching, enabling full engagement with your lecturers and fellow students.

Practical skills sessions, lab work seminars, and workshops predominantly take place in person, allowing for group working and demonstrations. We also operate virtual labs and Simulated Learning Environments which will facilitate greater access to training opportunities in the future. However, our approach also includes the use of some online learning to support and enhance traditional face-to-face teaching. 

Online learning may take place ‘live’ using software such as Zoom, allowing you to interact with the lecturer and other students and to ask questions. Lecture recordings also allow for more flexibility to revisit material, to revise for assessments, and to enhance learning outside of the classroom. Some modules have extra resources in Canvas, such as videos, slides, and quizzes enabling further flexible study.

There are four core modules taught between October and April, following two induction days in September. 

During the course, you will study over one academic year with an arranged placement to gain practical experience. 

Assessment 

Learning is assessed throughout coursework including written assignments and a practice portfolio. The course has a 50% pass mark for all modules.

Placements 

Your employer will be responsible for arranging your work placement.

At least 40 credits

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study at least 40 credits of this postgraduate course through the medium of Welsh. Many University departments develop and offer Welsh medium or bilingual modules as part of their courses so you will need to discuss the possibilities with the relevant Programme Director. You can study a module or modules through the medium of Welsh where possible or submit your dissertation in Welsh with guidance from a subject specialist through the medium of Welsh.

Academi Hywel Teifi is here to support you throughout your time at Swansea University. We can offer you:

• Access to generous Welsh-language study scholarships or bursaries.
• Access to the Arwain mobile app for the latest information about Welsh-medium courses and modules available to download free on the App Store and Google Play.
• An interview through the medium of Welsh when applying for a place.
• Personal correspondence in Welsh, English or bilingually.
• The option to create and submit your coursework or sit exams through the medium of Welsh (even if you have chosen to study in English), and your work will be assessed in Welsh.
• A Welsh-speaking Academic Mentor.
• One-to-one support to improve your academic Welsh language skills.
• An opportunity to gain an additional free qualification that serves as evidence of your Welsh language ability for future employers.
• Membership of the Swansea University Branch of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol.

Visit the Welsh Language Rights webpage for further information about Students' Welsh Language Rights.

Continuing to study through the medium of Welsh will be:

• a natural step for you if you have studied through the medium of Welsh at undergraduate level.
• a way of maximizing your chances of getting the best education.
• a way of receiving a high level of support as the study groups are smaller.
• a valuable addition to your CV and career development.

Nicola Howard, Co-Director, completed the Diploma in Social Work and qualified in 2004 at Swansea University.  Nicola has practiced as a Social Worker in Child Safeguarding Statutory Services, a Community Mental Health Team and is currently working for an Emergency Duty Team as a generic Senior Social Work Practitioner. 

Nicola is a practising Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) and has held the Qualification for 10 years. Nicola has interests in mental health crisis and support, Children and adolescents access to mental health services and ensuring the views of people accessing services are listened to.

Post qualifications include PQ 6, Practice Assessor award and Team Manager Development Programme. Nicola is joint investigation trained in child and adult safeguarding.  Nicola is a Deprivation of Liberties (DoLs) Assessor, Best Interests Assessor (BIA) and is also an Adult Protection Support Order (APSO) Authorised Officer.

Nicola has trained in Applied suicide intervention skills training (ASIST).

Nicola has worked in social work education at Swansea University since 2016, and is currently also a lecturer on the undergraduate programme and is one of the Practice Learning Opportunity Tutors.

James Thomas, Co-Director, has been practicing social work for the past 30 years, initially as a probation officer but for the last 25 years as a mental health social worker. James’ first 10 years of practice were in London where he learned the skills and values of social work across several different London Boroughs.

He qualified as an ASW (forerunner to the AMHP) in 1998 practicing in London, Caerphilly, Newport and Powys. Throughout his career, James has been interested in teaching/training and development in mental health social work.

In 2007 he researched, wrote and delivered training on the amended MHA (83), which served as conversion training for ASW/AMHP and awareness training for allied professionals.

James has been involved with ASW/AMHP programmes as a trainer, PA and ALP for the last 25 years and it is now his privilege to become part of this sole recognised programme for Wales. James looks forward to meeting you as students and assisting with your development in the role of AMHPs.

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

If you're a UK or EU student starting a master’s degree at Swansea University, you may be eligible to apply for Government funding to help towards the cost of your studies. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

Swansea Employability Academy (SEA) will support you at each stage of your career journey helping you build a bright future.

Our career support services include:

• Employability workshops, employers’ talks, bespoke events and careers fairs
• Individual advice and guidance from professionally qualified Careers Advisers
• Help with finding jobs, internships, work placements and volunteering opportunities
• Access to information resources on a wide range of career management topics
• Funding to support student internship opportunities and Student Society/Club events.

We also provide help and advice for Swansea University Alumni up to two years after you graduate.

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal academic mentor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

• Academic writing
• Maths and statistics
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Digital skills
• Presentation skills
• Note taking
• Revision, memory and exam techniques
• English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.

Please make initial contact with the Agency Liaison Person from your Local Authority to seek agreement for nominations.

Nominations are typically sought from partnership agencies (LSSAs) in the Spring. The application process is in two stages.

Stage 1. the Swansea University AMHP Programme’s Nomination and Selection Form  must be completed by the candidate and approved by the Agency Liaison Person in the local authority and submitted to Swansea University.

Stage 2. submit an ‘Application for Admission to Postgraduate Studies’.

For further information please contact the programme co-directors, Nicola Howard at n.m.howard@swansea.ac.uk or James Thomas at james.thomas@swansea.ac.uk

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

We recommend that you submit your application to our courses as early as you can in advance of our application deadlines. Courses will close earlier than the application deadlines listed if all available places are filled. You can find further information on our Application Deadlines webpage.

• social workers
• registered mental health nurses
• occupational therapists
• psychologists

You must demonstrate you have the support of an employer who will ensure you are provided with the necessary context within which to develop AMHP  skills and meet the requirements of programme’s approach to assessment; written assignments and a practice portfolio, observation of AMHP practice and opportunity to carry out supported AMHP assessments.

For practical purposes, this will almost invariably be within Local Social Service Authorities (LSSAs).