Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children & Young Peoples Mental Health (NCFE)

Is this the course for you?

Mental health problems affect about 1 in 10 children and young people*. They include depression, anxiety, and conduct disorder, and are often a direct response to what’s happening in their lives. The emotional wellbeing of children is just as important as their physical health, as good mental health allows children and young people to develop the resilience to cope with whatever life throws at them, and grow into well-rounded, healthy adults.

This nationally-recognised qualification will equip you with a more detailed understanding of the mental health conditions that affect children and young people, the legislation and guidance surrounding mental health, risk factors that may affect mental well-being, and the impact that mental health concerns may have on young people and others.

The Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health is split into manageable study units, and will develop your knowledge and understanding in five key areas:

• Unit 1: Understand children and young people’s mental health in context
• Unit 2: Understand factors which may affect children and young people’s mental health
• Unit 3: Understand children and young people’s mental health concerns
• Unit 4: Understand the impact of children and young people’s mental health concerns
• Unit 5: Understand how to support children and young people with mental health concerns

Whether you’re currently working with, or intend to work with, children and young people and would like to develop your specialist skills; or if you simply want to better understand mental health problems in this age group for personal reasons; this course can give you increased awareness and confidence to complement a personal, professional or voluntary role working with children and young people, or be used to update and advance your continuing professional development (CPD).

This is an online course taught over 10-15 weeks, meaning you can choose when and where you study, so it offers you the flexibility to fit your studies around your existing work, study, or home-life commitments.

*Mental Health Foundation, NHS Digital: Children and Young People Statistics 2018

What modules will you do?

Unit 1: UNderstand children and young people’s mental health in context

• The concept of mental health
• How society’s view of mental health has changed over time
• Legislation to support children and young people’s mental health

Unit 2: Understand factors which may affect children and young people’s mental health

• Risk factors that can affect children and young people’s mental health
• Mitigation of risk factors
• How developmental changes and puberty can impact children and young people

Unit 3: Understand children and young people’s mental health concerns

• Behaviours displayed by children and young people that may indicate a mental health concern
• Common mental health conditions that affect children and young people

Unit 4: Understand the impact of children and young people’s mental health concerns

• The impact of mental health concerns on children, young people and others
• The importance of diagnosis
• Reasons why there may be a reluctance to seek a diagnosis

Unit 5: Understand how to support children and young people with mental health concerns

• Person-centred approaches to supporting children and young people with mental health concerns
• How to promote mental well-being in children and young people
• The services and treatment involved with children and young people’s mental health

What do you need to apply?

4 GCSE qualifications (or equivalent) at grade D or 3 or above

or

Level 1 vocational qualification

or

Level 1 qualification in English

Additional Information: If you do not hold a suitable Level 1 qualification, or cannot provide evidence of one, you may still be able to enrol on this course following an initial assessment to test your level of literacy in English.

How will you be assessed?

This course can be completed fully online, or via paper-based learning. Both options are assessed via online tests and assessments.

Where can this course take you?

This course is suitable if you are already working with children or young people in an educational, supervisory, or care-based setting; are looking to find employment in a number of teaching, care, voluntary, community, or support-based roles; or simply wish to increase your understanding and awareness of mental health in young people for personal reasons. It can also give you the opportunity to increase your career options through further study.

After successfully passing the Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health, you may wish to consider further expanding your knowledge and skills on another of our Level 2 online courses:

• Level 2 Certificate in Introducing Caring for Children and Young People (NCFE)
• Level 2 Certificate in Awareness of Bullying in Children and Young People (TQUK)
• Level 2 Certificate in Equality and Diversity (NCFE)
• Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour that Challenges (NCFE)
• Level 2 Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems (NCFE)
• Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (NCFE)
• Level 2 Certificate in Safeguarding, Prevent and British Values (TQUK)
• Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism (NCFE)
• Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties (NCFE)
• Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Working with Individuals with Learning Disabilities (NCFE)