Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Well-being: Multidisciplinary Practice (ref. D24)
Open Evening
Thursday 22 March 2012 from 6.15pm - 8.00pm
Thursday 14 June 2012 from 6.15pm - 8.00pm
To make a reservation please contact the Course Administrator
This course provides a standalone year introducing fundamental aspects of child, adolescent and family mental health. It can also be taken as the first year of one of four MA pathways.
This innovative multimodal and multidisciplinary programme of study is for counsellors, practitioners and managers working with children, young people and families. The course provides understanding of essential issues in therapeutic work with children young people and families such as the latest developmental theory and research in childhood and family development, key presenting issues and evidence based practice in relation to these and key therapeutic concepts.It is underpinned by the Common Core of Knowledge and Skills central to The Every Child Matters agenda which has shaped child care policy and practice in England and Wales and is informed by aspects of the children and young people's IAPT agenda.
This course is taught by clinical practitioners, actively engaged in clinical practice, research and consultancy.
We welcome applications from the statutory, voluntary and private sectors.
Who is this course for?
This course is intended for counsellors, social workers, education workers, psychotherapists, creative arts therapists, child and adolescent primary mental health care workers, CAMHS practitioners, occupational therapists, nurses, and others working in both voluntary and statutory sector settings with children and families.
Aims
- Develop a theoretical framework for understanding child, adolescent and family development and family functioning
- Advanced knowledge, clinical capabilities and skills in working with children adolescents and their families drawing upon psychodynamic and systemic theories
- The capability to undertake informed early assessment, skillful and effective preliminary work and/or know how and where to refer children, young people and families on for more specialised treatment.
- A framework for understanding the organisational dynamics of child care and mental health practice and in particular the factors that can impede effective communication.
- An enhanced professional expertise, particularly in working with unconscious and systemic processes in families and organisations.
Course Tutors Biographies
Graham Music Biography
Peter Griffiths Biography
Content/Teaching components
The programme takes place over one year, one day per week, for a period of three terms. Within this context teaching and learning focuses on:
- Child and family development theories and research, including presenting issues which affect mental health and well-being
- A detailed and authoritative knowledge, understanding and applied use of theoretical concepts relevant to different therapeutic approaches and interventions, in working effectively with children, young people and families, where mental health difficulties exist.
- Observational Studies of infants young children and or families drawing upon psychodynamic and systemic theory
- Professional practice seminars which will draw on students' practice experience
These components aim to facilitate the integration of relevant theoretical ideas and research in order to develop advanced therapeutic practice skills.
Students are provided with regular lectures, practice discussion and tutorials.
There is a weekly experiential group.
All teaching takes place in multidisciplinary groups and as part of the course there is an opportunity to attend a specially designed multidisciplinary group relations conference, 'Inter-Agency Working: Exploring the Complex Realities', which seeks to explore the difficulties and benefits of interdisciplinary and interagency work.
Time Commitment
Mondays 10am to 6pm.
Student feedback
"I have greatly benefitted from the multidisciplinary group discussions and learning"
"I use my learning daily at work as it is fundamentally influencing and improving my social work practice, as well as my management of the team"
Closing date
Application deadline: 30 June 2012
Professional accreditation
The first year of this course provides a solid introduction to child, adolescent and family mental health. It can be taken as a standalone year leading to a Postgraduate Certificate in Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Well-being: Multidisciplinary Practice (D24). Successful completion can also lead to one of four specialist pathways leading to Diploma/MA programmes:
- Postgraduate Diploma/MA in Psychological therapies with children, young people and Families (ref. M34)
- Postgraduate Diploma/MA in Child and Adolescent Primary Mental Health Care Work (ref. M42*)
- Postgraduate Diploma/MA in Child Protection and Complex Child Care (ref. M22*)
- Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Applied Systemic Theory (ref. D4)
*Validated by the GSCC for the Higher Specialist and Advanced Award in Social Work (Children, Young People and Families)
Entry Requirements
This will be based on an application form, an employer's reference and an interview. Candidates are normally expected to have least two years practice experience since qualification, and to be working with children and/or families experiencing difficulties.
