Mental Health Social Work

Study with us: gain a qualification to contribute positively to the care and treatment of those experiencing mental disorder; undertake practice experience with your employing local authority; benefit from the specialist input from guest lecturers; prepares experienced and qualified social workers, registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) to undertake the statutory role of Mental Health Officer (MHO); only available to qualified social workers currently employed by local authorities. Each module has three written assessment elements: practice assessment, assessment of knowledge and understanding, critical analysis of practice.

Careers

Successful graduates from this programme will immediately be appointed as Mental Health Officers (MHOs) by their local authority, avoiding the requirement to seek employment as an MHO.

This appointment can lead candidates into promoted posts, eg senior practitioner and management roles. As the role of the MHO is a statutory requirement for local authorities, graduates become members of a small but essential workforce that aims to promote the rights of people with mental disorders as well as ensuring appropriate access to treatment when required.

The MHO workforce is currently under resourced and qualified MHOs are in high demand across Scotland. Obtaining the award, therefore, enhances the employability of all graduates.