Diploma in Disabilities & Mental Health (Level 5)
Credits : 195
Duration : 65 teaching weeks plus 11 study break weeks, and 4 weeks of summer break depending on intake start date. Face to face learning activities / Clinical Placement are normally scheduled over 3 days per week.
Delivery : This programme features 4 semesters.
Commitment required for this programme:
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20 hours of face-to-face delivery per week
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a Minimum of 10 hours of self-directed study per week
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15 weeks of clinical placement.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): Students enrolled in this programme must bring their own device (laptop or tablet).
For more details and specifications on the model, click here.
Graduates will be able to...
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Use ethical and Professional behaviour in a disability setting.
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Apply person-centred models of care for a person living with a disability.
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Employ communication in response to vulnerability in a multicultural communication context.
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Integrate knowledge of disability and mental health support services into a support plan for a person living with a disability.
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Combine knowledge of mental health and addiction models of recovery to facilitate rehabilitation goals.
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Critically integrate government strategies and initiatives for Maori and Pasifika into support goals for Tangata Whenua living with a disability.
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Reflectively evaluate own support practice
Career Pathways
Graduates will be able to work in the following areas: residential support for disabilities, community worker, disabilities services officer, family support worker, residential care officer, intellectual disability, physical disability, learning disabilities, dementia support, and mental health support.
Students may pathway to further learning such as a Diploma in Enrolled Nursing, an undergraduate degree programme in Health or our partner school AGI Education’s Diploma in Mental Health and Addiction (Applied Practice) (Level 6).
Domestic students –
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Over 18 years of age at programme start date.
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New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) with strands in Health Assistance or Social Support OR An equivalent and relevant qualification OR Have work experience in a health field for a minimum of three years.
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There are no minimum academic requirements for applicants 20 years of age and over.
International students –
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Over 18 years of age at programme start date.
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Bachelor's degree in a health field eg. nursing, social sciences, or health sciences OR A relevant tertiary qualification in health as determined through a transcript of learning OR Have work experience in a health field for a minimum of three years OR Have a New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) with strands in Health Assistance or Social Support.
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IELTS 5.5 with individual no bands less than 5.0 or equivalent as per the English Language Proficiency Requirements for International students determined by NZQA.
These are specified in the table found at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/our-role/legislation/nzqa-rules/nzqf-related-rules/the-table/
Entry Requirements
Semester 1
Modules included:
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1.1 Legislation
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1.2 Disabilities and Models of Care
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1.3 Vulnerability and Safety
Semester 2
Clinical
Modules included:
2.1 Client Assessment and Support
2.2 Leadership and Collaboration
2.3 Activity Quality Management
Semester 3
Modules included:
3.1 Disability Conditions
3.2 Mental Health and Addiction
3.3 Disability, Support, Communication and Counselling
Semester 4
Modules included:
4.1 Sociological factors and government strategies
4.2 Maori & Pasifika
Semester 5
Clinical
Modules included:
5.1 Screening Techniques and Evidence-based practice
5.2 Strategies for culturally sensitive responses
5.3 Critical Evaluation and Reflection
FEE PROTECTION
Under the Education and Training Act 2020 and the Student Funds Trust Deposit Exemption Rules 2026, student fees paid in advance must be protected through an approved student fee protection arrangement unless the total programme fee (including GST) does not exceed $1,000. Accordingly, student fees paid in advance are held in the Kauri Academy Public Trust student fee protection account. Fees are drawn down after commencement in stages as the course is delivered.
In the event a programme is terminated and alternative tuition services are not provided, the student is entitled to a refund of prepaid student fees on a pro rata basis for the balance of the course based upon the number of full weeks required to complete the programme.