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BSc/PgCert
Mental Health and Primary Care (IAPT)*

Location
Southwark

Duration
1 year (part-time)

Start date
September

Number of places
12

Simple timetable info
1 day per week during academic year

How to apply
Initial application is through local Primary Care Trusts

LSBU code
1584

Course contact
Thomas Currid
curridtj@lsbu.ac.uk – 020 7815 5985

Course units

Semester 1

– Engagement and Assessment of Patients with Common Mental Health Problems

– Evidence-based Low-intensity Treatment for Common Mental Health Disorders

Semester 2

– Values, Policy, Culture and Diversity

– Working within an Employment, Social, and Healthcare Context

*Subject to validation


Course description

The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme seeks to deliver on the Government’s commitment to provide improved access to psychological therapies for people who require the help of mental health services. It also responds to service user’s requests for more personalised services based around their individuals needs. It aims to develop low intensity practitioners in evidence-based psychological therapy services to people with ‘common’ mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, in providing improvements in health, well-being and in maintaining people or returning people to employment and community participation. It is designed to equip students with the core skills and competencies in order to undertake this role effectively.

Career opportunities

This programme has been informed by national policy requirements to establish a new type of practitioner within the mental health workforce in primary care. Low-intensity workers will assess and support patients with common mental health problems (principally anxiety and depression) in the self-management of their recovery. Students will be employed as Low Intensity Workers within a Primary Care Trust and will be released to attend one day per week at LSBU for the duration of the course.

Typical background of applicant

This programme will be of interest to graduates or equivalent with some relevant work experience who are keen to develop a career and a recognised qualification as a mental health practitioner.

Professional contacts/industry links

Students on the course will be employed by a Primary Care Trust.

Recent guest lecturers

– Service users will regularly contribute to the delivery of this programme

– Experts in a range of therapies

– Professor Audrey Leathard, an expert on inter-professional working.

Additional notes

This programme will replace an existing course for Graduate Workers in Mental Health and Primary Care that the Faculty has run for the last five years. Subject to validation, this programme is planned to start from 2009 onwards.