Education and training approval standards for approved mental health professional (AMHP) courses

These are the standards against which we will assess and approve AMHP courses.

They apply to all AMHP qualifying routes in England. The aim is to ensure that students who successfully complete an AMHP course can meet the requirements set out in the Mental Health (Approved Mental Health Professionals) (Approval) (England) Regulations 2008.

View the 2024 AMHP education and training standards guidance.

Education and training providers will:

1.1  Confirm on entry to the course that applicants have:

i. the potential to acquire and demonstrate the competences set out in the relevant legislation governing AMHP practice;

ii. the capability to meet the academic requirements of the course; and

iii. the capability to use information and communication technology (ICT) methods and techniques to achieve course outcomes.

1.2 Confirm that applicants are and remain fully registered with a relevant regulatory body in line with the relevant regulations.

1.3 Ensure that the admissions processes assess the suitability of applicants, including in relation to their conduct, health and character. This includes appropriate criminal conviction checks.

1.4 Ensure that applicants have suitable prior experience of the practical application of appropriate legislation and policy, specifically including but not limited to mental health, mental capacity and human rights legislation.

1.5 Ensure that applicants have a robust level of legal literacy in appropriate legislative and policy areas.

1.6 Ensure that employers, placement providers, people with lived experience of social work, and carers are involved in student admissions.

1.7 Ensure that there are equality, diversity and inclusion policies in relation to applicants and that they are implemented and monitored.

1.8 Ensure that the admissions process gives applicants the information they require to make an informed choice about whether to take up an offer of a place on a course. This will include information about the award level and professional qualification, course content, teaching modes, location of study, assessment methods of, duration, and observation requirements including the expectations around arranging or securing placements.

1.9 Ensure that the admissions process allows candidates from any eligible profession to demonstrate their suitability to join the course.

Education and training providers will:

2.1 Ensure courses are supported by a management and governance plan that includes the roles, responsibilities and lines of accountability of individuals and governing groups in the delivery, resourcing and quality management of the course.

2.2 Ensure that regular and effective monitoring, evaluation and improvement systems are in place, and that these involve employers, people with lived experience including carers, and students.

2.3 Ensure that the number of students admitted is aligned to a clear strategy, which includes consideration of: i local and regional placement capacity; and ii the availability of part-time or other flexible course arrangements to widen access wherever possible.

2.4 Ensure that the person with overall professional responsibility for the course is a relevant qualified professional with appropriate experience.

2.5 Ensure that there is adequate provision of appropriately qualified and experienced staff, with relevant specialist subject knowledge and expertise.

2.6 Ensure that educators are supported to maintain their knowledge and understanding in relation to professional practice.

Education and training providers will ensure that:

3.1 The views of employers, practitioners and people with lived experience of mental health services are incorporated into the design, ongoing development and review of the curriculum.

3.2 The content, structure and delivery of the training is in accordance with relevant guidance and frameworks and is designed to enable students to demonstrate that they have the necessary knowledge and skills, including around cross-national border issues in relation to practice in Wales, where this is appropriate.

3.3 The course is designed in accordance with equality, diversity and inclusion principles, human rights and legislative frameworks.

3.4 Course content is routinely updated as a result of developments in legislation, research, government policy, and best practice.

3.5 The integration of theory and practice is central to the course.

3.6 Students understand how the standards of the student’s own professional regulator(s) apply to their specialist practice.

3.7 The course is designed to enable students to demonstrate an evidence-informed approach to AMHP practice, underpinned by skills, knowledge and understanding in relation to research and evaluation.

Education and training providers will:

4.1 Ensure practice placements are integral to the course.

4.2 Ensure that the number, duration and range of practice placements is appropriate to support the delivery of the course and the achievement of the learning outcomes.

4.3 Ensure that students, practice placement providers and educators are prepared for each placement, which will include information about:

i. the learning outcomes to be met.

ii. the timing and duration of any placement experience.

iii. the records to be maintained.

iv. expectations of professional conduct.

v. assessment procedures including the implications of, and any action to be taken in the case of, failure to progress.

vi. communication and lines of responsibility.

4.4 Maintain clear collaborative arrangements for planning and communication with placement providers including a thorough and effective system for approving and monitoring all placements, in order jointly to ensure:

i. that practice placement settings provide a safe and supportive environment.

ii. that placement providers have equality, diversity and inclusion policies in place which will apply to students, and which they will implement and monitor.

iii. that there is an adequate number of appropriately qualified and experienced staff, with relevant specialist subject knowledge and expertise, at the practice placement setting.

iv. that practice placement providers support their placement staff to maintain their knowledge and understanding in relation to professional practice, including appropriate practice placement educator training.

v. that a range of learning and teaching methods that respect the rights and needs of people with lived experience of social work and colleagues must be in place throughout all practice placements.

Education and training providers will:

5.1 Ensure that students have access to resources to support their health and wellbeing including:

i. confidential counselling services

ii. occupational health services, where appropriate

5.2 Ensure that students have access to a system of academic and pastoral student support for their progression, development, wellbeing and welfare.

5.3 Ensure that there is a thorough and effective process for ensuring the ongoing suitability of students’ conduct, character and health.

5.4 Make reasonable adjustments for students with health conditions or impairments to enable them to progress through their course and meet the relevant standards, in accordance with relevant legislation.

5.5 Provide timely information to students about parts of the course where attendance is mandatory and have associated monitoring mechanisms in place.

5.6 Provide timely and meaningful feedback to students on their progression and performance in assessments.

5.7 Ensure that policies and processes, including for whistleblowing, are in place for students to challenge unsafe behaviours and cultures and organisational wrongdoing, and report concerns openly and safely without fear of adverse consequences.

Education and training providers will:

6.1 Ensure that the assessment strategy and design demonstrate that the assessments are robust, fair and consistent, and that those who successfully complete the course have developed the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the competencies set out in the relevant legislation and rules as set out in the guidance that accompanies these standards.

6.2 Ensure that professional aspects of practice are integral to assessments.

6.3 Use objective measures of student performance which ensure safe and effective practice as an AMHP.

6.4 Regularly monitor and evaluate assessment standards.

6.5 Clearly specify requirements for student progression and achievement within the course.

6.6 Clearly specify that any aegrotat award which may be made will not lead to eligibility to be approved as an AMHP.

6.7 Clearly specify the procedure for the right of appeal for students.

6.8 Clearly specify a process for the appointment of at least 1 external examiner who must be appropriately experienced and qualified and from the relevant part of an appropriate professional register.