Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health

What is this course about?

Unit 01: Understand children and young people’s mental health in context

In this unit learners will understand the concept of mental health. An understanding of how society views mental health and how this has changed over time will also be investigated. Learners will also understand the legislation in place to support children and young people’s mental health.

Unit 02: Understand factors which may affect children and young people’s mental health

In this unit learners will understand the risk factors that can affect children and young people’s mental health and how these can be mitigated. They will also investigate how developmental changes and puberty can impact children and young people.

Unit 03: Understand children and young people’s mental health concerns

In this unit learners will understand behaviours displayed by children and young people which may indicate a mental health concern. They will also investigate common mental health conditions that affect children and young people.

Unit 04: Understand the impact of children and young people’s mental health concerns

In this unit learners will investigate the impact of mental health concerns on children, young people and others. They will also understand the importance of diagnosis and the reasons why there may be a reluctance to seek a diagnosis.

Unit 05: Understand how to support children and young people with mental health concerns

In this unit learners will understand the support available for children and young people’s mental health. They will investigate a person-centred approach, mental health promotion and the services and treatment available.

How is it taught

This is a distance learning qualification.

How will I be assessed?

As you work through the learning materials you will have the support of a knowledgeable assessor/tutor who will give you support, advice and guidance on the course content as well as providing robust feedback on the work you complete. Upon successful completion of the course you will be awarded the CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health

What could I do next?

Other distance learning courses or health related part time qualifications.

Careers

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Youth and Community Workers

Youth and community workers provide support to individuals or groups of individuals through a range of activities or services that aim to encourage participation in social and community life and promote personal and social development

Key Responsibilities

• Helps set up credit unions, encourages parents to establish playgroups, works with other groups to find solutions to shared concerns or problems.
• Advises individuals with particular needs or problems through informal discussion, individual counselling or formal group discussion.
• Liaises and supports voluntary workers running groups in village halls, churches, mosques and other places of worship.
• Undertakes the day-to-day running of community centres and supervises the activities of part-time and voluntary workers.
• Organises social, recreational and educational activities in local community and youth groups.

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Child and Early Years Officers

Child and early years officers work with babies and with children up to 14 years of age (or 16 for those with special needs), providing support, help and advice to individuals or within a family context.

Key Responsibilities

• Attends meetings with colleagues and outside agencies.
• Makes referrals to other agencies such as social services and educational psychologists.
• Writes up case notes, prepares reports, keeps up-to-date records on clients.
• Advises clients and their families on available resources.
• Works with social worker to identify, plan and deliver appropriate support to families facing a variety of difficulties.
• Deals with issues relating to poor attendance at school.

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Nursery Nurses and Assistants

Nursery nurses and assistants care for children from birth up to seven years of age in day or residential nurseries, children’s homes, maternity units and similar establishments.

Key Responsibilities

• Communicates with parents and colleagues on children.
• Writes reports on children.
• Reads stories, organises counting games to help develop language and number skills.
• Plans and organises games and other activities and supervises children.
• Supervises young children at mealtimes.
• Baths, dresses, prepares feed for and feeds babies, changes babies clothing whenever necessary.

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Childminders and Related Occupations

Childminders and related occupations provide day-to-day care of children within a domestic setting, and supervise and participate in their play, educational and other activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Complies with regulations set by OFSTED and their inspection requirements.
• Maintains appropriate records of children.
• Takes older children to and from school.
• Takes children to participate in play groups or on appropriate outings.
• Provides, supervises and participates in children.
• Mends, washes and irons children.
• Plans, prepares and serves children.
• Changes babies.
• Assists children to wash and dress.

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Playworkers

Playworkers deliver and facilitate play opportunities for children in a range of formal and informal settings including play groups, play schemes, free play locations, and in pre- and after-school activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Liaises with parents, carers and colleagues and keeps appropriate records.
• Puts away equipment and cleans premises after use.
• Organises and supervises children.
• Organises and supervises children on excursions.
• Encourages children.
• Provides play areas and prepares materials for a wide range of children.
• Supervises children.