Approved Mental Health Professional Induction

Croeso/Welcome to the Post Graduate Certificate: Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) Programme. We are looking forward to you joining us and hope you will thoroughly enjoy the course, and your time with us here at Swansea University.

Diolch  | Thank you

Nicola Howard and James Thomas

Co-Directors of the AMHP Post graduate Certificate

Nicola Howard, Co-Director, completed the Diploma in Social Work and qualified in 2004 at Swansea University.  Nicola has practiced as a Social Worker in Child Safeguarding Statutory Services, a Community Mental Health Team and is currently working for an Emergency Duty Team as a generic Senior Social Work Practitioner. 

Nicola is a practising Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) and has held the Qualification for 10 years. Nicola has interests in mental health crisis and support, Children and adolescents access to mental health services and ensuring the views of people accessing services are listened to.

Post qualifications include PQ 6, Practice Assessor award and Team Manager Development Programme. Nicola is joint investigation trained in child and adult safeguarding.  Nicola is a Deprivation of Liberties (DoLs) Assessor, Best Interests Assessor (BIA) and is also an Adult Protection Support Order (APSO) Authorised Officer.

Nicola has trained in Applied suicide intervention skills training (ASIST).

Nicola has worked in social work education at Swansea University since 2016, and is currently also a lecturer on the undergraduate programme and is one of the Practice Learning Opportunity Tutors.

Throughout our degree programmes we work to provide our students with opportunities in and around your School, the city with our industry partners and sign-post for international opportunities available to you. Our focus is to ready you for the world of work. To find out about the opportinities you will have in your School check out our student enterprise and employability webpage.

As a student at Swansea University, you will have the opportunity to engage with industry, take on placement opportunities and complete work experience, so that you are fully equipped for the world of work when you leave us. This process is facilitated by the Careers and Employability team who aim to provide careers advice and employment opportunities all under one roof.

As  student you will be given an Academic Mentor. This is a member of teaching staff in the Faculty or School who acts as your key point of contact while you are at Swansea University.

You should meet with your Personal Tutor one-to-one at least once every Semester.  You may also be invited to group meetings or workshops with your Personal Tutor.

Your Personal Tutor will guide and support you with your academic, professional and personal development.  They can help you with:

• Reviewing your academic progress
• Accessing academic and personal support e.g. with welfare issues
• Understanding the exam and assessment system
• Academic references for placements / job applications
• Answering any other questions you may have or recommend where to best seek advice

Mentors may also have ‘office hours’ when you can see them as well.  You can email your tutor if there is something you want to discuss and/or to arrange a meeting.

Click here for more information about Personal Tutor

As well as subject specific support by college teaching staff and your personal tutor, the Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops and one-to-one support in areas such as:

• Academic writing
• Maths and statistics
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Digital skills
• Presentation skills
• Note taking
• Revision, memory and exam techniques
• English language skills (if English is not your first language).

In addition, if you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), disability, mental health or medical condition, the Centre for Academic Success have Specialist Tutors to support your learning, working alongside the Disability Office and Wellbeing Service to support all your needs and requirements whilst studying at Swansea University.