Qualification Overview

Qualification Title National Diploma in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Work) (Level 6)
Qualification Type National Diploma
Level 6
Credits 187
Subject Area
  • Society and Culture » Human Welfare Studies and Services » Community Client Care
  • Community and Social Services » Health, Disability, and Aged Support » Mental Health and Addiction Support
Strategic Purpose Statement
The National Diploma in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Work) (Level 6) [Ref: 1299] follows on from the National Certificate in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Work) (Level 4) [Ref: 0431].

This National Diploma is designed for people who have already developed or wish to develop a higher level of competence in mental health support work than is covered by the National Certificate. These mental health support workers may have more seniority in the workplace, carry a higher level of responsibility, and engage in more complex relationships with consumers/tangata whai ora. They may also lead a team of mental health workers.

The National Diploma acknowledges the skills of those already in the workplace who work safely with consumers/tangata whai ora, and requires those who wish to obtain this qualification to demonstrate competence through theoretical learning and practical experience in the workplace with consumers/tangata whai ora and their families/whanau.

The National Diploma is based upon a recovery approach to mental health support work.

Mental health support workers support consumers/tangata whai ora to achieve their recovery goals, provide support to their families/whanau, support consumers/tangata whai ora to manage their use of alcohol or other drugs, and support mental health consumers/tangata whai ora to access employment support services. They are able to analyse discrimination, and implement an individual advocacy strategy and a strategy at a community or societal level to respond to discrimination against consumers/tangata whai ora. Their mental health support work practice is informed by an understanding of ethical values. They can explain legal structures and laws for mental health support work, and explain and apply knowledge of human development and health issues. They can also critique and interpret a research project relevant to a mental health service user group, and analyse leadership and lead a group or team to achieve mental health support work objectives. Mental health support workers at this level of competence also demonstrate an integrated practice theory for mental health support work.

Mental health support workers work within a framework for practice informed by Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ethical standards, health standards, service specifications, and legislation.

Some standards in the National Certificate in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Work) (Level 4) [Ref: 0431] are included in this National Diploma because they are essential competencies for mental health support workers, or because they are recommended for entry to other standards in this qualification. Candidates who have completed the National Certificate will have already been awarded 55 credits towards this qualification.

At present there is no higher level qualification in mental health support work, but people who have completed this qualification could seek entry into other higher level qualifications on the New Zealand Register of Quality Assured Qualifications.
Employment pathways
nullTo find out more about employment opportunities click on the CareersNZ logo, then the provider who offers this qualification.
Entry Requirements Not available
Developed By Te Pukenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
Quality Assured By New Zealand Qualifications Authority
Number 1299
Status Discontinued
Created July 2007
Last Reviewed April 2016
Last Date For Entry December 2017
Discontinued December 2020

Qualification Title

The qualification title names the overall focus of the qualification.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Te Reo Maori Title

Listed under Te Reo Maori title with English equivalent.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Matauranga Maori Qualification

A qualification quality assured and approved through the Te Hono o Te Kahurangi quality assurance approach.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Qualification Type

There are different types of qualifications including certificate, diploma, degree and post-graduate certificates and diplomas. Qualification types relate to NZQF levels.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Level

The NZQF has ten levels. Level one is least complex and is often entry-level, for example foundation certificates. Levels eight to ten are the most complex, and include post-graduate study.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Credits

The credit value relates to the size of the qualification. One credit equates to ten hours of learning. One year's full-time study at a provider is usually 120 credits, but if you are studying part-time or in the work place the credit value may vary.

+Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Subject Area

All qualifications are grouped into subject areas on the New Zealand Standard Classification of Education (NZSCED). The subject area is a keyword and can be used when searching for qualifications in an area of interest.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Strategic Purpose Statement

Strategic purpose statement explains the reason why the qualification has been developed. It identifies the target learners and for what roles the qualification prepares them.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Graduate profile

The Graduate profile explains the skills, knowledge and attributes a graduate will have attained on achieving the qualification. It describes what they can know and do and be.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Education pathways

Education pathways include other qualifications you can enrol into after completing this qualification.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Employment pathways

Employment pathways include the kinds of careers you can develop with this qualification.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Next Review

This is the date the qualification will expire and be reviewed or discontinued.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Last Date For Entry

The last date a learner can be enrolled in a programme leading to this qualification.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Entry Requirements

The level of education or training you need to have achieved before an education organisation will consider enrolling you for it or arranging the training. Each organisation may also have entry requirements for the programmes they run.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Education Organisation

This is the organisation that can help you achieve the qualification.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Developed By

Qualifications are developed by education organisations. These include standard setting bodies, like industry training organisations, and tertiary providers, such as universities, polytechnics and private training establishments.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Quality Assured By

All qualifications on the NZQF have been checked by the quality assurance bodies of NZQA, ITP Quality or NZVCC to ensure qualifications have meaningful outcomes.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Number

All qualifications have a unique number.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Status

The status shows if a qualification is current, expiring or discontinued. Only current qualifications have programmes at education organisations that are open to new enrolments.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Created

This is the date the qualification was listed on the NZQF.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Last Reviewed

Last date the qualification was formally reviewed.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Content

Information on how a qualification is structured.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]

Discontinued

This is the date the qualification was discontinued and no longer available.

Click anywhere in this window to close it, or press [Esc]