Module Directory

This module introduces student MHWPs to severe mental health problems and how to engage and form collaborative alliances with service users, carers and families.

You will learn how to carry out a needs-based assessment, related to the person’s psychological and emotional wellbeing as appropriate to the remit of the role, and arrive at a collaborative, simple formulation which can guide the planning of care. The module will highlight the value of successful engagement within the development of a collaborative therapeutic relationship.

The aim of this module is to:

• enable students to develop the knowledge, critical awareness of the subject, and the skills to deliver a person-centred, collaborative assessment that engages patients and those that support them.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to develop a collaborative alliance, engaging with warmth and empathy, using active listening and enquiry


2. Demonstrate understanding and awareness of CHIME factors (Connectedness, Hope, Identity, Meaning and Empowerment) and how to apply this in practice, understanding their link with wellbeing and recovery and maintaining and developing relationships in the community.


3. Demonstrate knowledge of, and ability to be with someone in distress, managing affect by listening and validating


4. Demonstrate a understanding and ability to practice within professional and ethical guidelines.


5. Demonstrate knowledge of, and the ability to involve families and carers appropriately in engagement and assessment


6. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of cultural competence and anti-discriminatory practice, addressing inequities of access and outcome;


7. Demonstrate respect for and the value of individual differences in age, sexuality, disability, gender, spirituality, ethnicity and culture;


8. Demonstrate knowledge of and competence in responding to peoples’ needs sensitively with regard to all aspects of diversity, including working with older people, the use of interpretation services and taking into account any physical and sensory difficulties service users may experience in accessing services.


9. Demonstrate knowledge and competence in accurate risk assessment, safety management plans and safeguarding;


10. Demonstrate knowledge and competence in working with confidentiality, consent, and with the appropriate involvement of families and carers;


11. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the experience and core features of psychosis, bipolar disorder, ‘personality disorder’ and eating disorders, and associated difficulties (including anxiety and depression);


12. Demonstrate knowledge and ability to make reasonable adjustments to make mental health services autism-friendly, and responsive to service users with substance misuse problems;


13. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding the relationship between adversity and presentations of severe mental health problems;


14. Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to work with Trauma Informed Care principles in practice, including the role of attachment and self-compassion;


15. Demonstrate knowledge of and competence in collaborative assessment and formulation within the ‘5 Ps’ framework of Presenting problem, Predisposing factors, Precipitating factors, Perpetuating factors and Protective factors

The syllabus for this module is informed by the National Curriculum for Mental Health Wellbeing Practitioners – Specialised Adult Mental Health as written by NHS England.

The teaching will include:

• Interpersonal and engagement skills for working with people with severe mental health problems


• CHIME factors (Connectedness, Hope, Identity, Meaning and Empowerment)


• Cultural competence and anti-discriminatory practice


• Ethical practice


• Risk and safeguarding assessments


• Understanding a range of mental health problems


• Confidentiality, consent, and the appropriate involvement of families and carers


• Respect for and value of individual differences


• Trauma Informed Care principles in practice


• Collaborative assessment and formulation within the ‘5 Ps’ framework

Skills based competencies will be learnt through a combination of clinical simulation in small groups working intensively under close supervision with peer and tutor feedback and supervised practice through supervised direct contact with patients in the workplace.

Knowledge will be learnt through a combination of lectures, seminars, discussion groups, guided reading and independent study.

Students will have opportunity to attend group and individual tutorials to support academic development.