Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Social Work Studies (Mental Health Officer) Award

The Council is legally obliged to recruit sufficient Mental Health Officers (MHO’s) to discharge its legal responsibilities under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 and the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995. The Mental Health Officer postgraduate certificate is set at SCQF level 11 and it is only available to social workers currently employed by local authorities or health and social care partnerships. It ensures social workers gain and can demonstrate the applied knowledge, competences and values needed in meeting the complexity of the functions and duties of MHOs and particular skills in relation to mental health social work.

Career pathway & sponsorship
This Award presents an excellent opportunity for qualified social workers working within all Social Work Services to follow a career development pathway in Mental Health practice.

Each year we sponsor a number of experienced social workers to achieve the award via an accredited postgraduate programme delivered by Edinburgh University.

This year provisions will be made available to support team managers to release successful sponsorship applicants from their substantive role and duties whilst undertaking training.

Falkirk’s previous and current MHO students
This offers more information designed to help you decide whether this is the course for you. You can also contact the Mental Health Officer team for more information. Details at the end of the video clip.

Sponsorship application
To apply for sponsorship, you need to discuss your interest in the programme with your line manager before completing the further education sponsorship application due in by the end of June 2022.

This should be submitted to socialservices.training@falkirk.gov.uk marked for the attention of Harry Brown, Public Protection Training Coordinator.

Sponsorship is agreed via an interview process. Expected to take place in July 2022

University application pack
Successful sponsored applicants require to submit their university applications before the end of August 2022. Inductions for the programme start in October 2022.

Downloads
MHO Pre-course Preparation Material
MHO Course Provisional Time Table 2022-23
MHO Course Recruitment Information Slides 2022-23
MHO Course Application Pack 2022-23
Falkirk Council Social Work – Sponsored Further Education Study Application