Advanced Practice in Psychological Wellbeing PGCert - 2020/1

Awarding body

University of Surrey

Teaching institute

University of Surrey

Framework

FHEQ Level 7

Final award and programme/pathway title

PGCert Advanced Practice in Psychological Wellbeing

Professional recognition

British Psychological Society (BPS)
Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) against the requirements for qualification as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner.

Modes of study

Route code Credits and ECTS Credits
Full-time PLD55002 60 credits and 30 ECTS credits

QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)

Other internal and / or external reference points

N/A

Faculty and Department / School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences - Psychology

Programme Leader

DRIESEN Laura (Psychology)

Date of production/revision of spec

22/01/2022

Educational aims of the programme

  • The aims of the programme accord with the Department of Health programme, Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT). Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs) assess and support patients with common mental health problems - principally anxiety and depression - in the self-management of their recovery. Interventions are designed to aid clinical improvement and social inclusion, including return to work, meaningful activity or other occupational activities. PWPs do this through the provision of information and support for evidence-based low-intensity psychological treatments, mainly informed by cognitive-behavioural principles, but also including physical exercise and supporting medication adherence. Behaviour change theory and models provide the framework which support an integrated approach to the choice and delivery of the interventions that PWPs provide.
  • Course objectives to acquire cultural competence align with statutory duties under the Equality Act 2010, requiring public authorities who exercise public functions, and organisations carrying out public functions on behalf of a public authority, to advance equality of opportunity, eliminate unlawful discrimination and foster good relations between people of shared protected characteristics and those who do not. Achieving cultural competence is a lifelong learning process. Cultural competence for Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners will aim to develop trainees' ability to recognise their own reaction to people who are perceived to be different and values and beliefs about the issue of difference, so as to be able to work effectively with them.

Programme learning outcomes

Attributes Developed Awards Ref.
Critical engagement and assessment of people with common mental health problems K PGCert
Application of evidence based low intensity treatments for common mental health problems K PGCert
Analysis of issues relating to values, diversity and context K PGCert
Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the difference between low and high intensity treatments for common mental health problems C PGCert
Understand the scientific basis of the therapies that they are delivering C PGCert
Apply a range of interventions to demonstrate in depth understanding which will vary according to relevant cultural issues, and issues relating to values and diversity C PGCert
View the interventions in the wider context of health and social care C PGCert
Apply learning to practice and support peer development C PGCert
Psychological wellbeing practitioners will acquire a wide range of competencies described in the National Curriculum and also in the `Job description for Workers Providing Low-Intensity Interventions'. These competencies include: Engagement and assessment of people with common mental health problems (including an assessment of risk), Provision of support so that people can self-manage their recovery and Facilitation of recovery and social inclusion - including return to work, meaningful activity or other occupational activities. P PGCert
Communicate concisely T PGCert
Give oral presentations of patients T PGCert
Work with a group T PGCert
Plan and implement an intervention/referral to appropriate resources T
Solve practical problems T
Use IT to write and present information visually, to communicate and find information T
Manage time effectively T
Condense complex orally delivered information T

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Programme structure

Full-time

This programme is studied full-time over one year, consisting of 60 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.

Programme Adjustments (if applicable)

N/A

Modules

Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity

Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics Y
Professional Training Year (PTY) N
Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) N
Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) Y Yes
Study exchange (Level 5) N
Dual degree N

Other information

The programmes comprises of 29 days of taught study and 16 days of directed study. The clinical competencies build on each other and the majority of teaching activity on clinical competence development is through clinical simulation/role play. Trainees should complete a minimum of 80 clinical contact hours with patients (face to face or on the telephone) within an IAPT services as a requirement of their training and should undertake a minimum of 40 hours of supervision of which at least 20 hours should be case management and 20 hour should be clinical skills supervision. These 80 clinical contact hours and 40 supervision hours are in addition to the 15-20 practice-based learning days directed by the university of Surrey (as outlined in the assessment pack).

The programmes are one year full time and are divided into four modules. The programme requires 50 percent theory and 50 percent practice in modules 1 and 2. All taught modules are worth 15 credits.
In order to register for / achieve the Postgraduate Certificate students must:
- normally hold a previously accumulated credit volume of 120 credits at FHEQ level 5 and 120 credits at FHEQ level 6
- be working / have recent experience in a relevant healthcare setting
- complete 60 credits at FHEQ level 7
- achieve a minimum of 50% in each assessment

Students need to have passed all assignments for modules PSY3110 AND PSYM126 , PSY3111 and PSYM127 , PSY3113 AND PSYM129 in order to be able to submit their module PSY3112 and PSYM128 portfolio assignment.

Quality assurance

The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:

https://www.surrey.ac.uk/quality-enhancement-standards

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.