National Diploma in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Work) Level 6

Designed for people who have already developed or wish to develop a higher level of competence in mental health support work than is covered in 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.

Designed to provide health professionals and people employed in the mental health support work field, who may have either extensive experience in mental health support work and/or have completed the National Certificate in Mental Health Support Work, with the opportunity to extend their theoretical and practical knowledge relevant to mental health support work services.

This programme acknowledges the skills of those already in the workplace that 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.

(Eight unit standards  - See Table 1 - in the National Certificate in Mental Health Support Work (Level 4) are included in the National Diploma (Level 6) because they are essential competencies for mental health support workers or alternatively they have been recommended for entry to other standards in the National Diploma qualification)