Overview
- This course provides a structure and background to accomplish the qualification of approved clinician and to guide you through the completion of your portfolio.
- Learn through a combination of on-campus and remote learning. We also support action learning sets which take place remotely or in your area.
- Benefit from working with people from a broad range of professions. Registered nurses, social workers, occupational therapists and psychologists can become MPACs, and you will also be studying with SAS doctors. The feedback we have had is that students gain so much from studying with and learning from other professions.
- Teaching staff include a qualified solicitor who is an accredited member of the Law Society’s mental health panel, and a Consultant Clinical and Forensic Psychologist who is a practicing MPAC.
- We support and guide you through the process of becoming a qualified MPAC, including guidance around suitable supervision, teaching of the up-to-date law, relevant assessments which mirror the portfolio process and practical discussion through action learning sets.
Who this course is for
The course is primarily aimed at those people who are training to become qualified MPACs. However, this course is also suitable for SAS doctors who wish to have an understanding of the role and responsibility of the approved clinician and responsible clinician.
Competency-based training, delivered according to the latest evidence-informed clinical pedagogic approaches
Dedicated training facilities equipped with video and audio recording
A strong emphasis throughout the programme is placed upon your personal and professional development
Competency-based training, delivered according to the latest evidence-informed clinical pedagogic approaches
Dedicated training facilities equipped with video and audio recording
A strong emphasis throughout the programme is placed upon your personal and professional development
Course content
Teaching of Mental Health Law
We will cover the following:
- The role and responsibility of the Approved Clinician / Responsible Clinician
- Key statutory terms
- The Legal frame works and criteria for detention
- Holding powers
- Section 17 leave
- CTOs
- Consent to treatment
- Interface between the MCA and the MHA
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the role, legal responsibilities and key function of an Approved Clinician and Responsible Clinician
- Demonstrate an applied knowledge of mental health legislations, related codes of practice and national and local policy and guidance in relation to the trainee MPAC role
- Explain and reflect upon ethical, legal and commercial issues which may arise in mental health context in relation to the trainee MPAC role
- Analyse complex situations and problems in mental health field with specific reference to the Trainee MPAC role
- Use supervision and personal reflection as a means to improve your personal effectiveness as demonstrated in the reflective assessments in relation to the Trainee MPAC role.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module |
Credits |
|---|
| PYCM130 |
Mental Health Law: Underpinning Knowledge and Context | 30 |
| PYCM131 |
Trainee Approved Clinician Practice | 30 |
Teaching and research
Learning through Action Learning Sets
You will have a qualified MPAC or Mental Health Lawyer who will take you through nine Action Learning Sets (ALSs). Action Learning Sets provide a powerful approach to solving clinical problems.
An Action Learning Set is a group of people within a workplace or organisation that meet with the specific intention of solving workplace problems. The main aim of the ALS is to come away with a set of realistic actions that will help to solve or understand the issue at hand. The four main principles of an ALS are that it should be open, reflective, practical and shared. It is usually made up of between six to eight individuals and groups stay together for the duration of the course.
You will be asked to present a case study at one of the action learning sets as part of a formative assessment.
Overview of assessments
Learning Needs Plan/proposal:
You will identify your learning objectives and be able to discuss those learning objectives with your tutor.
An essay:
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:
An anonymised or hypothetical statutory report for the First Tier Tribunal, or Managers hearing which you have prepared.
An anonymised, concise, case commentary:
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.
Multiple Choice Exam
An open book timed online exam of multiple choice questions.
Read more
Teaching staff
Teaching is carried out by a qualified solicitor who is an accredited member of the Law Society’s mental health panel, and a Consultant Clinical and Forensic Psychologist who is a practicing MPAC.
We also provide two sessions with the approval panel, who give guidance on the structure and content of the portfolio.
Find out more about teachers on the course in the gallery below.
Sarah Ackland
Programme Lead and Accredited member of the Law Society’s mental health panel
Paul Courtney
Course Facilitator, Registered Mental Health Nurse and MPAC
Sarah Wood
Course Facilitator, Consultant Registered Mental Health Nurse and MPAC
Ian Hogbin
Programme Lead, Consultant Clinical & Forensic Psychologist and MPAC
Sarah Ackland
Programme Lead and Accredited member of the Law Society’s mental health panel
I am a specialist mental health lawyer. I regularly appear before the First Tier Tribunal (Mental Health). I also practice mental capacity law and appear before the Court of Protection. I have been involved in many reported cases concerning a change in law and practice. The protection of the legal rights of the vulnerable is something that I have become passionate about.
I am very proud to be part of this course at the University of Exeter: it combines excellent quality teaching of legal knowledge alongside practical training.
Sarah Ackland
Programme Lead and Accredited member of the Law Society’s mental health panel
I am a specialist mental health lawyer. I regularly appear before the First Tier Tribunal (Mental Health). I also practice mental capacity law and appear before the Court of Protection. I have been involved in many reported cases concerning a change in law and practice. The protection of the legal rights of the vulnerable is something that I have become passionate about.
I am very proud to be part of this course at the University of Exeter: it combines excellent quality teaching of legal knowledge alongside practical training.
Paul Courtney
Course Facilitator, Registered Mental Health Nurse and MPAC
Paul has been practising as a mental health nurse since 1985. He later qualified as a nurse prescriber before taking on the role as MPAC in 2016. His background includes working in both inpatient and community settings. Paul now works in a community team in Northumberland and is passionate about promoting advanced clinical roles in mental health. Being part of the University of Exeter MPAC team offers a fantastic opportunity to develop senior clinicians and promote best practice for people needing support while subject to the Mental Health Act.
Sarah Wood
Course Facilitator, Consultant Registered Mental Health Nurse and MPAC
My name is Sarah Wood, I am an RMN by background and I have 25 years’ experience working in the NHS as a Mental health nurse. I am a Consultant Nurse and Approved Clinician and I work part-time as a Responsible Clinician and part-time working with and alongside Exeter university training others to develop the skills and competencies required to become an Approved Clinician. The PGCert in Mental Health Law delivered by the University of Exeter is the perfect academic accompaniment to those seeking approval and in giving them the academic underpinning knowledge to succeed. In addition to the taught content, students get the opportunity to have work formally assessed which can then be used as evidence in their portfolios, and have amazing opportunities to build confidence in their skills via unique opportunities such as the mock tribunal session.
Ian Hogbin
Programme Lead, Consultant Clinical & Forensic Psychologist and MPAC
I am a Consultant Clinical and Forensic psychologist with over 20 years’ experience working within forensic mental health and rehabilitation settings. I have been working as a Mental Health Act Responsible Clinician since 2015 and seen first-hand how this role can promote and lead to effective clinical outcomes.
I am passionate about improving mental health services and supporting others to become Approved / Responsible Clinicians. Being part of the University of Exeter’s PGCert Professional Practice in Mental Health Law is something I am extremely proud of.
Entry requirements
Applicants must be in one of the following professions:
- Social worker
- Registered mental health nurse
- Psychologist
- Occupational therapist.
- SAS doctor
You must have sufficient experience of managing patients subject to the Mental Health Act.
How to apply
Any application must be made through your employing clinical service.
Please note it is not possible to apply directly to the University of Exeter as you are required to be employed within a clinical service in order to participate in the course.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile . Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Fees
This course is funded by Health Education England, so fees are not payable by candidates.
Careers
This programme allows you to develop the skills and knowledge required to become an Approved Clinician. The course timetable and assessments are aimed at preparing you for the demanding role as an AC. The course will also provide important guidance in how to put together your portfolio
