Overview

The module is designed to augment and enhance existing assessment skills along with the ability to apply the findings from a comprehensive assessment of a child or adolescents mental state to inform a plan of care.

The teaching and learning will take a blended approach including synchronous, asynchronous and in-situ learning. You will be encouraged to draw upon your experience in practice and be encouraged to seek out practice opportunities to extend your scope of professional practice, in relation to child and adolescent mental health.

Module aims

• Analyse the impact and consequences of mental illnesses in children, adolescents and their families, demonstrating knowledge of the core competencies required for this
• Understand and apply the professional, legal and ethical frameworks which underpin working in partnership with children, adolescents, their families, health professionals and other organisations
• Appraise your own assessment skills and knowledge when assessing and planning the care of children and adolescents experiencing mental health problems
• Interpret and synthesise research, evidence and professional practice relevant to your own professional development

Entry requirements

Applicants will normally hold current registration with an appropriate professional body and be working in an appropriate clinical environment.

Module content

• Childhood development and attachment theories
• History taking
• Risk assessment and risk-taking behaviours
• Autism and ADHD
• Consent, legal and ethical issues
• Principles of DBT and CBT
• Emotional disorders including depression and anxiety
• Eating disorders
• Emerging personality disorders, psychosis and bi-polar disorder
• Adverse Childhood Events
• Suicide and self-harming behaviour; substance misuse
• Pharmacological treatments for common child and adolescent mental health problems
• Service-user and family perspectives.

Teaching and assessment

A blended learning strategy has been adopted to address the learning needs of a variety of students and make efficient use of renewable sources. 

Scheduled learning/teaching hours: 48 hours, broken down as:

• Synchronous/In-situ: 24 hours
• Group work: 12 hours
• Assessment support (workshops): 12 hours allocated to poster preparation
• Independent study hours: 192, you will be provided with a range of learning resources (micro-lectures, reading, videos, tasks) to guide you through your independent studies.