Mental Health Peer Support (SCQF level 7) PDA
Course code 9L53
What is special about this course?
Peer support workers in the mental health sector, often now acknowledged as ‘experts by experience’, offer a unique insight and understanding that can only be gained through having been there yourself.
This course has been specifically developed to equip you with the learning and values necessary to utilise your own experiences to support others recovering from mental illness.
Special features
Developed by the Scottish Recovery Network, the PDA will help you to build up your skills in:
- Developing mutually empowering relationships
- Sharing personal voyages of recovery in a way that inspires hope
- Offering help and support as an equal rather than as an expert
Entry requirements
There are no specific entry requirements, but you should have personal experience of mental health problems and be able to provide evidence of good written and oral communication skills (SCQF level 5 or above).
Year 1 - PDA
The PDA consists of two mandatory units:
- Recovery Context, which includes the following outcomes:
- Define and understand peer support and its role in recovery
- Describe and explain the key concepts of formalised peer support
- Developing Practice, which includes the following outcomes:
- Apply a range of theories and concepts in the peer support role
- Develop relationships based on peer support principles
- Understand perspectives of the work role
How will I study my course?
- Part-time
- This course is mainly delivered online with scheduled sessions and tutorials
- Online study will be done via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
- You will learn through a combination of workshops and self-study (one 3-hour class each week with additional learning materials and assessments accessible online)
- You will have the option to take part in an online induction in the first week of your course
How long will my course last?
- Part-time: 12 weeks @ 7-9 hours per week (2 modules at approximately 40 hours of study time each)
The number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent on online material as well as individual study and research.
Where can I study my course?
- Inverness - you can study this fully online course from anywhere in the UK. You will be enrolled and supported by staff at UHI Inverness.
Start date
- September
- January
Fees
For information on costs for this course please contact the campus where you wish to study.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Successful completion of the PDA may lead to opportunities for employment as a Peer Supporter. It may also offer access to a range of other related mental health and social services qualifications.
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
Apply for Mental Health Peer Support (SCQF level 7) PDA
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.