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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:

  • 20 hours of face-to-face delivery per week

  • a Minimum of 10 hours of self-directed study per week

  • 15 weeks of clinical placement. 

disabilities and mental health.PNG

Graduates will be able to...

  • Use ethical and Professional behaviour in a disability setting.

  • Apply person-centred models of care for a person living with a disability.

  • Employ communication in response to vulnerability in a multicultural communication context.

  • Integrate knowledge of disability and mental health support services into a support plan for a person living with a disability.

  • Combine knowledge of mental health and addiction models of recovery to facilitate rehabilitation goals.

  • Critically integrate government strategies and initiatives for Maori and Pasifika into support goals for Tangata Whenua living with a disability.

  • 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 –

  • Over 18 years of age at programme start date.

  • 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.

  • There are no minimum academic requirements for applicants 20 years of age and over.


International students –

  • Over 18 years of age at programme start date.

  • 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.

  • 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: 

  • 1.1 Legislation

  • 1.2 Disabilities and Models of Care

  • 1.3 Vulnerability and Safety

Semester 2

Clinical

(Important information)

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 

(Important information)

Modules included:

5.1 Screening Techniques and Evidence-based practice

5.2 Strategies for culturally sensitive responses

5.3 Critical Evaluation and Reflection

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