Change of responsibility for, and review, of Mental Health qualification
National Certificate in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Work) (Level 4) [Ref: 0431]
Responsibility for the qualification referred to above, which was registered in February 1998, has been transferred from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) - Mental Health Support Worker Advisory Group to the Community Support Services Industry Training Organisation.
Rationale for the change
The change of responsibility has been actioned because the Mental Health Support Worker Advisory Group has joined the Community Support Services Industry Training Organisation (CSSITO) as a consequence of the NZQA exit strategy for a number of its advisory groups.
Date new versions published January 2006
Rationale for the Review
The review of this qualification and the constituent unit standards followed major published industry evaluations initiated by the Mental Health Support Worker Advisory Group with Māori, Pacific, and Mainstream sectors. Copies of the three evaluation reports are available for download from the publications section of the Platform website at:
http://www.platform.org.nz/links/platform_1_72.php
The evaluations revealed a number of concerns from Māori and Pacific sectors that can be summarised as a lack of relevant cultural content in the existing unit standards and the qualification. However, the evaluations show that there is continuing demand from all sectors of the industry for an entry-level qualification. The review also determined that all unit standards and this qualification should be based on the recovery approach to mental health (ref: Mental Health Commission. 2001. Recovery competencies for New Zealand mental health workers. Wellington: Mental Health Commission).
Main changes resulting from the review
Changes to structure and content
· Responsibility for this qualification has moved from the NZQA - Mental Health Support Worker Advisory Group to the CSSITO.
· Cultural content related to Māori and Pacific sectors has been increased in the qualification through the addition of two new unit standards (unit standards 21923 and 21926), and amendments to other unit standards in the certificate.
· The review of unit standards has led to the replacement of unit standards 13430, 13434, 13436, 13437, 13439 and 13440 in the qualification. Exemptions apply (see the first table below).
· Unit standards 13427, 13428, 18547, and 19750 have been removed from the qualification. These unit standards are being reviewed as part of the development of a proposed National Diploma in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Work).
· New unit standards developed as a result of the review and designed for this level 4 qualification - 21920, 21921, 21924, and 21925 - have been included. Exemptions apply for people with credit for the removed unit standards (see second table below).
· Unit standard 13438 was designated expiring as a result of the unit standard review and has been removed from the qualification.
· The first aid unit standards have been removed after industry consultation, because they do not guarantee currency of first aid competency. The unit standards have been replaced by a special note that requires people wishing to enter a programme leading to award of this qualification to hold a current First Aid Certificate.
· The credit total has changed from 123 to 122 credits.
Transition
People currently working towards version 3 of the qualification may complete that version or transfer their results to version 4. The last date for people to complete version 3 is December 2007.
All versions of the qualification will be recognised by CSSITO.
The qualification contains standards that replace earlier standards. For the purposes of this qualification people who have gained credit for the expiring standards are exempt from the requirement to gain credit for the replacement standards.
|
Expiring Standards |
Replacement Standards |
|
13430, 13439, and 13440 |
21927 |
|
13434 and 13436 |
21928 |
|
13437 |
21922 |
For the purposes of this qualification people who have gained credit for the removed standards are exempt from the requirement to gain credit for the new standards.
|
Credit for |
Exempt from |
|
13427 |
21925 |
|
13428 |
21924 |
|
18547 |
21920 |
|
19750 |
21921 |
It is the intention of the CSSITO that no existing candidate should be disadvantaged by the changes to this qualification. Any person who considers they are disadvantaged may appeal to:
Qualifications Manager
CSSITO
PO Box 25-255
CHRISTCHURCH
Telephone 03 371 9295
Fax 03 371 9285
Email enquiries@cssito.org.nz