Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of the Mental Health Care Worker

Unit 1: Mental Health and Mental Health Issues

• Section 1: The concept of mental health
• Section 2: Common types of mental health problems and illnesses
• Section 3: The legislation and guidance that applies to those with mental health problems.

Unit 1 summary: In this unit, you will learn about an outline of mental health, including the concept as a whole, including physical and mental well-being, the common types of mental health problems and illnesses, including anxiety and depression, and the legislation and guidance that applies to those with mental health problems, including the Mental Capacity Act and the Care Act.

Unit 2: Principles of the Mental Health Care Worker

• Section 1: The different roles and responsibilities for working in mental health
• Section 2: How continuous professional development improves own practice
• Section 3: How own well-being improves practice
• Section 4: The Mental Capacity Act 2005 when Working in Mental Health Care

Unit 2 summary: In this unit, you will learn about the roles and responsibilities of the care worker, including those in relation to standards and practices, records and legislation and duty of care. They will also learn more about the importance of personal development plans and SWOT analysis in continuous professional development, using feedback, and reducing stress, as well as using the Mental Capacity Act and codes of practice when working in care.

Unit 3: Approaches to Care and Management in Mental Health

• Section 1: The key features of the care planning process
• Section 2: Aspects of good practice in the care planning process.

Unit 3 summary: In this unit, you will learn about features of the care planning process, including local standards of care, the stepped approach to care, and key interpersonal skills. They will also learn about aspects of good practice including risk assessments, mental health assessments, and the role of key agency professionals in relation to the care process.

Unit 4: Understand Duty of Care in Adult Health and Social Care

• Section 1: What is meant by "duty of care"
• Section 2: Dilemmas and conflicts relating to duty of care
• Section 3: How to recognise and report unsafe practices
• Section 4: The impact of own actions on individuals and others
• Section 5: The importance of consent in health and social care practice.

Unit 4 summary: In this unit, you will learn about the duty of care and how it influences health and social care practice, including whistleblowing policy and legislation. They will also learn about what must happen when a dilemma occurs in relation to the duty of care, recognising and reporting unsafe practices such as staff shortages and unsafe equipment, examining workplace culture and abuse, and what is considered valid consent.

Unit 5: Understanding Change and Support in Relation to Mental Health

• Section 1: How mental health change occurs
• Section 2: The role of others in the individual's mental health change
• Section 3: The treatment options available to manage mental health problems
• Section 4: How to access information to support understanding of mental health issues.

Unit 5 summary: In this unit, you will learn about different factors that can cause mental health change to occur, and key areas in which individuals benefit from support. They will also learn how others can support the individual to recover, including unpaid carers, advocates and interpreters, and they will learn about the types of medication and therapy available to manage mental health problems and other resources that are available to support good practice.