The significance and complexity of the role of a Mental Health Officer is such that the course must ensure MHOs are trained and assessed to the highest of standards, and this is best achieved through strong partnerships with a range of key stakeholders.

It is the responsibility of the local authority to secure the training for Mental Health Officers and therefore local authorities are centrally involved in the course design, delivery and management in order to ensure that their responsibilities under legislation are addressed and the training course remains fit for purpose.

In the North of Scotland the local authority partners are Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Highland Council, Moray Council, Orkney Islands Council, Shetland Islands Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. Highland Council is the lead authority acting on behalf of the others and the part-time co-ordinator of the course is based there.

This course is delivered on a distance learning basis and you will remain in employment throughout.

The Postgraduate Certificate Mental Health Officer Award (Pg Cert MHO Award) is a 60 credit course set at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Level 11. It runs over a twelve months period, with modules occurring sequentially.

The course consists of three modules:

• Mental Wellbeing and Mental Disorder
• Adults with Incapacity
• Mental Disorder - Offenders, Young People and Families

Delivery of the course takes place largely on two sites - Aberdeen and Inverness - in settings provided by local authorities, reflecting the geographical spread of candidates. Additional specific inputs on e-learning may take place at Robert Gordon University.

The course is specifically designed for social work practitioners with at least 2 years post-qualifying experience who are nominated by their local authority employers to train as Mental Health Officers. You will remain in employment throughout the course.

In addition to attendance at study days and teaching blocks, a direct practice element is central to the course and candidates will work with service users and carers as Mental Health Officers in training.

All course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change. Published fees apply to the course's mode of delivery.

If you are interested in applying for this course please contact Jackie Loxton (Course Leader at Robert Gordon University).