Course overview
The stepped care system is promoted by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). It aims to offer the least intrusive and most effective treatment (low intensity interventions) in the first instance, increasing intensity as required. This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society, and meets the Department of Health’s requirements by:
- providing you with a substantial knowledge base appropriate to master's level study
- helping you develop core therapeutic and technical skills that underpin low intensity psychological interventions
- enabling you to develop a positive attitude and commitment towards lifelong learning and personal development planning
- ensuring you are prepared to meet the challenges of current and future contemporary mental health services.
Where you study
Teesside University Middlesbrough campus.
Course details
What you study
Core modules
Promoting Engagement and Assessment Skills for Common Mental Health Problems
Develop a collaborative and person-centred approach to assessments related to low intensity working. Gain knowledge of the incidence, prevalence and presentation of common mental health problems, focusing on behaviour change theory and cognitive behavioural theory.
Promoting Low Intensity Intervention Skills for Common Mental Health Problems
Develop your knowledge and skills in evidence-based low intensity interventions for people with anxiety or depression, including behaviour change theory and cognitive behavioural theory. You are supported to adopt a collaborative, client-centred approach to intervention planning, promoting choice and self-management of recovery.
Promoting Reflective, Non-Discriminatory Practice
Study the concepts of inclusion and multi-culturalism, gaining the knowledge, attitudes and skills you need to operate ethically and competently in the health and social care system. Gain an understanding of the complexity of health, social and occupational needs, and the services that support recovery. Develop your clinical management, liaison and decision-making competencies to support patients. This is particularly important where intervention is required outside core, low-intensity advice.
How you learn
This part time course is 45 days of learning, divided equally between three modules across a 12-month duration. Each module is 15 weeks long with taught and guided practice learning days every week. The ratio for university to practice learning for all modules is 10 days taught and five days practice.
As part of the guided practice learning, you evidence the completion of directed practice tasks, to demonstrate the achievement of clinical practice outcomes. These tasks are designed to provide you with opportunities to develop the practical skills associate with the theoretical context. You are also allocated five self-directed study days for each module.
You learn through lectures, presentations, practice scenarios and other activities. Participation is also encouraged through:
- sharing experiences and learning with other students, without breaching client confidentiality
- delivering your own presentations
- using self-administered workbooks (electronic and manual)
- problem-based learning to develop decision-making skills
- directed practice tasks in the workplace to apply skills
- personal reflection and development planning simulation activities and feedback from peers, module tutors and practice supervisors.
How you are assessed
You are assessed through practice scenarios, real patient activities, examination, written assignments and practice competencies. The assessment strategy meets the standards of the National Curriculum for Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
You must be working in an NHS Talking Therapy for Anxiety and Depression service. As part of the quality assurance process, services must meet the appropriate standards, and supervision must be provided by a qualified PWP supervisor.
Funded PWP trainee positions are advertised on NHS Jobs by individual NHS Talking Therapy for Anxiety and Depression services.
You can apply to self-fund the PWP course online, but these places are limited. Some NHS Talking Therapy for Anxiety and Depression services offer voluntary contracts. Each service has different terms and conditions, but all provide PWP supervision. Interviews for these voluntary contracts are arranged by the course leader.
Recognition of prior learning criteria for this award can include a combination of at least two years’ experience working in mental health or a setting where you are likely to be exposed to people at increased risk of mental health difficulties. This can be paid or voluntary work.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements.
Employability
Career opportunities
This course prepares you for your role as a qualified PWP.
