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Careers in mental health
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Introduction
Who wants to work in mental health?
Do your research
Talking treatments
Counselling
Psychotherapy
Psychology
Improving access to talking therapies (IAPT) workers
Advocacy
Arts therapies
Art therapy
Drama therapy
Music therapy
Dance movement therapy (DMT)
Occupational therapy
Medicine and nursing
Psychiatry
Nursing
Primary care graduate mental health worker
Psychiatric pharmacy
Health services management
Social support
Social work
Other areas of social support
Personal assistant
Probation
What if you have no qualifications?
Voluntary work
Useful organisations
Further reading
Introduction
This factsheet has been written for people interested in working in mental health and offers introductory information on a range of opportunities. It is not intended to provide an in-depth description of what each job entails. Accurate and up-to-date information on careers of interest can be obtained from the specialist organisations listed under ‘Useful organisations’.
Mind’s factsheet Who’s who in mental health: a brief guide provides a useful overview of the mental health service and the different workers and organisations involved. You can also find a general overview of most of the careers listed in this factsheet on the NHS Careers website www.nhscareers.nhs.uk.
Who wants to work in mental health?
Many people are attracted to work in mental health because of a personal interest in the area. They may know someone who has experienced mental health problems, or they may have used mental health services themselves. Personal experience of mental distress can bring a greater understanding and empathy with users of mental health services and, for some careers in mental health, personal experience of mental health problems may be a desirable, or even essential, criterion in the job description.
Do your research
Before deciding which career to aim for, you may wish to talk to people involved in the kind of work you are considering and to visit mental health settings such as hospitals, hostels and day centres. If you would like to visit a hospital, contact the hospital administrator. Your local social services department should be able to arrange a visit to a hostel or day centre. Always write or telephone to arrange your visit in advance. The Health and Social Care Yearbook, which should be available in the reference section of large libraries, contains useful addresses. The Internet also provides a wealth of information about careers, useful organisations and contact addresses.
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Talking treatments
Counselling
Counselling gives people the opportunity to be listened to in a safe environment while they talk about whatever is troubling them. The aim of counselling is not to tell someone what to do, or to offer personal opinions, but to help the person to reach their own solutions. Counsellors usually help people to focus on particular life issues or problems, with a view to exploring difficulties and attempting to resolve them.
Trained counsellors work in a variety of settings. Some work in counselling agencies with people experiencing mental distress; many counsellors are employed in GP practices, schools, universities, industry, hospitals or prisons; they may also set up in private practice. There are also openings for voluntary counsellors; for example, in community groups that deal with specific problems such as alcoholism or with more general support organisations such as the Samaritans.
Counselling is currently an unregulated profession (though this is changing over the next few years). This means that anyone can call themselves a ‘counsellor’, even if they have not gained the training or qualifications needed to perform the role. Reputable employers will always require a counsellor to have been trained by a recognised training organisation and to follow an accepted code of practice. It is therefore important to ensure that any training course you follow is recognised and accredited by one of the recognised bodies, such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) (see ‘Useful organisations’).
Further information can be obtained from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (see ‘Useful organisations’).
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a talking treatment that aims to help people understand the underlying causes of their distress and to come to terms with their problems. The psychotherapeutic process tends to be a longer term, deeper process than some forms of counselling, while other forms of counselling have much in common with psychotherapy, and it is not always easy to make clear distinctions between the two. The Mind booklet Understanding talking treatments provides more detailed information.
There are many different types of psychotherapy. Each involves a different training, which may take a number of years, and requires trainees to undertake their own psychotherapy. Some courses also require trainees to have qualifications in psychology. Some psychotherapists work within the NHS, but the majority work in voluntary agencies and private practices.
Further information can be obtained from The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust (an NHS trust that has established an international reputation for therapeutic approaches in mental health) and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (see ‘Useful organisations’).
Psychology
Psychology is the study of human behaviour. The training of psychologists centres on the application of scientific principles to understanding human experience and action. Psychologists usually take an undergraduate degree in psychology, followed by postgraduate specialisation in clinical, counselling, educational or occupational psychology.
Clinical psychologists are involved in the assessment and treatment of people experiencing mental distress.
Counselling psychologists work with clients to examine mental health issues and explore underlying problems that may have caused them.
Educational psychologists work with children who are having problems at school because of emotional disturbance or learning difficulties. They may be qualified teachers who have had additional training in educational psychology.
Occupational psychologists work in other fields such as industry or commerce.
Further information can be obtained from the British Psychological Society (see ‘Useful organisations’).
Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) workers
IAPT is a nationwide (England only) programme aimed at increasing the provision of psychological (talking) therapies for adults of working age at primary care level. Plans include implementing the programme in a growing number of primary care trusts and training more therapists. The IAPT website www.iapt.nhs.uk gives more detailed information about the programme.
The IAPT programme has created two new jobs in mental health, which are described below.
IAPT high-intensity workers deliver courses of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) to service users. (For more information about this particular psychological therapy, see the Mind booklet, Making sense of cognitive behaviour therapy.) Workers must be accredited (or able to attain accreditation) with the nationally recognised membership association for CBT, the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (BABCP) or an equivalent organisation. Professions eligible for this role include CBT therapists, clinical psychologists, counsellors, nurses and psychotherapists. Trainee high intensity workers are able to perform this role after attending a one-year training programme.
IAPT low-intensity workers deliver interventions based on CBT principles but at a lower level of intensity. Trainees can perform the role after attending a one-year training programme. For low-intensity roles, formal qualifications are not essential (though may be desirable), but applicants must have experience of working with people who have mental health issues, as well as good communication and interpersonal skills.
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Advocacy
Advocacy is a process of supporting and enabling people to express their views and concerns, to access information and services, to defend and promote their rights, and to explore choices and options.
Advocates are paid workers or volunteers who are trained in listening and negotiating skills. They also have knowledge of the basic legal framework and provision of mental health and community care services.
There are several types of advocacy, described in the Mind booklet Mind guide to advocacy. ‘Formal’ or ‘professional’ advocates may come from local voluntary organisations such as local Mind associations and work in both hospital and community settings. Peer advocates are others who have shared a person’s experience; in mental health, you may find a peer advocate at a service-user-run mental health group. In addition, all NHS trusts in England have Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS), which are not independent (as they are run by the trust) but are intended to be the first point of contact for people who are dissatisfied with their treatment by health services, with the aim that any problems can be resolved informally. In Wales, each Local Health Board (LHB) has a Community Health Council that performs a similar function but is independent of the LHB.
The Mental Capacity Act (2005) and Mental Health Act (2007) have provided the legal basis for the introduction of new and improved advocacy arrangements for people who are deemed to be lacking mental capacity or who are sectioned under the Mental Health Act. The Mental Capacity Act provided for the setting up of the Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) service, which supports and represents people deemed to be lacking mental capacity who do not have access to friends, family or other informal/unpaid support.
Information on advocacy in these areas can be obtained from the Mind Legal Advice Service (tel. 0845 225 9393, legal@mind.org.uk), or from the UK Advocacy Network (see ‘Useful organisations’).
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Arts therapies
Mind has produced a factsheet, Arts therapies, which describes the various forms of therapy in more detail.
The arts therapies are regulated by the Health Professionals Council (see ‘Useful organisations’). Once qualified, art psychotherapists, art therapists, dramatherapists and music therapists must apply for state registration with the Health Professions Council before they can practise.
Art therapy
Art therapy involves the use of art materials for self-expression and reflection in the presence of a trained art therapist. Art therapists help people to work on personal problems and areas of conflict by using art as a means of communication. It can be particularly helpful for people who find it hard to express their thoughts and feelings verbally. Art therapists work in a variety of settings such as hospitals and day centres.
To train as an art therapist you will usually need a first degree in art in order to go on to an accredited postgraduate diploma course. Experience of working in an area of health, education or social care is also desirable.
Further information can be obtained from the British Association of Art Therapists (see ‘Useful organisations’).
Drama therapy
Drama therapy provides a creative medium and a safe space in which people can explore issues and gain personal insight. It can be used to increase self-awareness and the ability to communicate effectively.
Dramatherapists may start out with qualifications in another field such as psychotherapy, social work, occupational therapy, teaching or drama, to which they add further formal training in drama therapy. However, many short courses are available for those wishing to develop drama therapy skills less intensively.
Further information can be obtained from the British Association of Dramatherapists (see ‘Useful organisations’).
Music therapy
Music therapy uses music as a means of communication and expression. Music therapists do not teach clients to sing or to play an instrument. Rather, they encourage clients to use instruments and their own voices to explore the world of sound and to create a musical language of their own. The therapist aims to facilitate positive changes in behaviour and emotional wellbeing. Music therapists need to be skilled musicians, and have usually taken a general music course before specialising.
Further information can be obtained from the Association of Professional Music Therapists and the British Society for Music Therapy (see ‘Useful organisations’).
Dance movement therapy (DMT)
DMT is the use of movement and dance in psychotherapy, with the aim of helping a client to engage creatively in a process that improves their emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration. Dance movement therapists work with a variety of clients including those with emotional problems, mental health problems, learning disabilities and physical disabilities.
There are postgraduate training courses in DMT. Entrants usually have a first degree in dance, physical education or the social sciences, with a proven interest and training in a movement or dance form. Students usually have some understanding and experience of DMT and personal therapy already.
Further information can be obtained from the Association for Dance Movement Therapy UK (see ‘Useful organisations’).
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Occupational therapy
The role of an occupational therapist is to help people with mental, physical and social problems to build up the confidence and skills needed for personal, social, domestic, leisure or work activities. They focus on the active learning of specific skills and techniques for coping more effectively. This may involve the use of arts and crafts, group work (such as anxiety management and assertiveness training), individual counselling, and training in the activities of daily living such as self-care, shopping, cooking and budgeting.
Occupational therapists work in mental health units, day hospitals and in the community; they are employed by health authorities, social services departments, social care trusts and voluntary organisations.
A variety of occupational therapy degree courses are available in the UK, ranging from a two-year accelerated course for those with a relevant first degree to three- and four-year courses.
To practise, occupational therapists must be registered with the Health Professions Council (see ‘Useful organisations’). Further information can be obtained from the British Association/College of Occupational Therapists (see ‘Useful organisations’).
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Medicine and nursing
Psychiatry
Psychiatrists are qualified doctors who undertake postgraduate training in psychiatry (mental health) after completion of a general medical training, and specialise in the treatment of mentally distressed people. Psychiatrists may be hospital based and in some areas also have close links with GP surgeries. Others work in community mental health centres or in multidisciplinary teams. They work closely with a number of different mental health professionals, including community mental health nurses (CMHNs) psychologists, social workers and psychotherapists.
Doctors who have not specialised in psychiatry can also play a crucial role in helping people who are experiencing emotional distress. The GP may be the first person that someone with emotional problems contacts. Between a quarter and a third of a GP's workload will be concerned with emotional and psychological difficulties. GPs can talk through problems, prescribe medication or make referrals as appropriate. Also, paediatricians (doctors who specialise in the health of babies and children) have an important part to play in identifying emotional problems in children at an early stage.
Further information can be obtained from the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Psychiatrists (see ‘Useful organisations’).
Nursing
Nurses trained to work with mentally distressed people are employed in psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric units in general hospitals. Community mental health nurses (CMHNs), who are sometimes called community psychiatric nurses (CPNs), work with people in the community. The ability to communicate with people and a willingness to give a great deal of attention, encouragement and support are as important as a good knowledge of medicine.
The minimum age for entry into nursing is 17.5 years. Qualification as a nurse can be achieved through one of two routes: via a pre-registration nursing course or via an appropriate degree course such as Nursing Studies. The pre-registration course follows an 18-month common foundation programme, which is followed by specialised study in mental health nursing. People taking a degree in nursing can then follow this with a postgraduate qualification such as a diploma in mental health nursing or a community psychiatric nursing qualification.
Further information can be obtained from the Royal College of Nursing and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (see ‘Useful organisations’).
Primary care graduate mental health worker
Exact job descriptions vary between NHS employers, but this role is intended for recent graduates in psychology and other graduates with relevant work experience. Based in primary care settings (GP surgeries and clinics), primary care graduate mental health workers support the application of interventions such as talking therapies, provide information to patients and run outreach activities.
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Psychiatric pharmacy
Psychiatric pharmacists are expert practitioners in the medications used to treat mental health problems. Psychiatric pharmacists are qualified pharmacists who have then specialised in the field of mental health. They are usually hospital based.
The United Kingdom Psychiatric Pharmacy Group (www.ukppg.org.uk) established the College of Mental Health Pharmacists in 2000. This is an accreditation body for specialist mental health pharmacists, and allows formal recognition and registration of competence of practice.
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Health services management
Under the current structure of the NHS, the commissioning and purchasing of healthcare are separated from its provision, and there are various levels of management in hospitals, community health services and primary care. Hospital and unit managers are not necessarily trained in medicine or nursing. Many universities and colleges offer courses in health science, some of which are designed to equip people to go into health service management and related areas. These areas include project management, contract monitoring, clinical audit and other areas of health service research, information and education services, which often relate specifically to mental health services. Jobs in the health services management field are advertised in the national press and The Health Service Journal (www.hsj.co.uk).
Further information can be obtained from the Institute of Healthcare Management (see ‘Useful organisations’).
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Social support
Social work
Social workers can offer support and guidance to people experiencing an emotional crisis, as well as practical help such as advice on welfare benefits or finding accommodation. Most social workers are employed by social services departments, social care trusts, the probation service or independent agencies. They work in hospitals, day centres, hostels and prisons and with people living in the community.
A psychiatric social worker is a specialist mental health worker who works closely with individuals and families to support them through a crisis and/or in the longer term. If hospital based, their role may also involve helping people to prepare for leaving hospital.
An approved mental health professional (AMHP) is a qualified mental health professional who has undergone additional training and been approved by the local authority to carry out various designated functions under the Mental Health Act (2007). An AMHP has a role in mental health assessment which is undertaken jointly with medical professionals in order to ascertain whether compulsory admission to hospital is necessary. AMHPs have a particular responsibility to examine alternatives to hospitalisation. Note: under the amendments brought in by the 2007 Mental Health Act, this role may be carried out by health professionals such as psychologists, nurses or occupational therapists; whereas, previously, only social workers with special training could perform this role (approved social workers). In practice, it is still social workers who are most likely to performing this role.
From 2003, professional training for social workers changed to a degree in social work approved by the General Social Care Council (GSCC) in England. It has been introduced in Wales since 2004. This replaces the Diploma in Social Work (DipSW). The approved degree is usually taken as a three-year undergraduate course; graduates from other disciplines may be offered the opportunity to complete the degree in two years. Part-time and distance learning courses that take longer are also available. Some universities offer employment-based routes into social work in partnership with local employers.
For all courses, applicants are required to have had experience in social work or a social care setting.
Further information can be obtained from the General Social Care Council and the Care Council for Wales (see ‘Useful organisations’).
Other areas of social support
Now that the majority of people with mental health problems live in the community, there are many opportunities for working in a variety of areas offering support, such as housing, day care and community development work.
A broad range of community-based housing projects are provided for people with mental health problems. These range from supported housing and hostels to projects that support people to live in their own homes.
Day care projects may be based in day hospitals or in the premises of local voluntary organisations such as local Mind associations. Some offer a highly structured programme of activities, while others offer an informal setting for social activities. Some organisations (including some local Mind associations) run employment projects and supported employment for people with mental health problems.
Community development work aims to engage the people who make up a community to understand the issues that affect their lives and make changes through participation in grassroots action and civic processes. Community development workers often act as a link between communities and local government or other statutory bodies (including mental health services). Although it was designed primarily to address race inequalities, community development work can also be more generic or specific to other social issues. For example, it can help to improve mental health indirectly by identifying and addressing factors such as geographical isolation or poor relationships between social groups. Alternatively, community development work may focus specifically on people with mental health problems. Entry requirements for community development work usually include a college or university degree, as well as voluntary work within the community.
Some colleges offer postgraduate courses in relevant specialisms, such as housing or social care, but it is also possible to work in these areas without specialist qualifications. Many social care employers offer the opportunity for workers to gain National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) through on-the-job training and assessment. Much of this type of social support is provided by voluntary organisations, such as Mind, or housing charities. Jobs in this area are advertised in The Guardian newspaper on Wednesdays, local newspapers, minority ethnic newspapers such as The Voice and Asian Times, and in the weekly specialist press such as Community Care.
Personal assistant
The role of personal assistant (PA) grew out of the disability rights (or independent living) movement. It is based on the premise that disabled people who live in their own homes rather than institutional settings require personal assistance to maintain their independence. Disabled people (including people with mental health problems) who employ a PA usually do so with a ‘direct payment’ – money received from their local social services department. Since 2003, local authorities have been obliged to offer a direct payment to anyone who is assessed as being eligible for publicly funded social care. A direct payment is given instead of (or as well as) being referred to services such as day care or home help.
The job description of a PA will depend on the assistance that is needed. In mental health, it may include support with social activities, with daily tasks such as shopping and cooking and with participation in classes, meetings and appointments. PAs do not usually require formal qualifications but do require an understanding of independent living and qualities such as patience, empathy and a willingness to learn.
Opportunities for PAs are advertised at Jobcentre Plus, local supermarkets, the premises of faith organisations (e.g. churches, mosques) and in local newspapers.
Further information can be obtained from the National Centre for Independent Living (see ‘Useful organisations’).
Probation
Mentally distressed people who have been convicted of an offence may serve their sentence either in hospital or in prison. Probation officers can offer people help when they leave prison or hospital, particularly in terms of finding work and accommodation and resettling into the community. They also work with mentally distressed people coming up to trial.
Further information can be obtained from the National Association of Probation Officers (NAPO; see ‘Useful organisations’).
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What if you have no qualifications?
Housing projects and day centres for people experiencing mental distress often have openings for unqualified staff. Residential posts are usually advertised as vacancies for residential support workers, care officers, care assistants or welfare assistants; day care posts may be advertised as vacancies for day care officers or care assistants. Hospitals employ nursing auxiliaries, domestic staff and porters, while social services departments provide opportunities for people who want to be social work assistants, home helps or domiciliary care assistants.
Personal assistants do not usually require formal qualifications (see ‘Personal Assistant’ section above).
Jobs such as these can provide valuable experience, along with the skills and opportunities to work towards a qualification at a later stage. Many social care employers offer the opportunity for work-based training leading to an NVQ.
Information on vacancies can be obtained from your local social services department or district health authority. Employment agencies and job centres are also worth contacting, and advertisements for this kind of work are often placed in local and national newspapers. The following magazines and newspapers usually carry advertisements for vacancies in mental health settings: Community Care, Health Services Journal, Nursing Times, The Guardian (Wednesdays) and The Voice.
Many colleges now welcome mature students and offer courses with a flexible structure so that people can combine study and work.
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Voluntary work
Working as a volunteer is a good way to gain first-hand experience in mental health work. The experience you gain as a volunteer may also be useful in terms of subsequently securing paid work or a place on a course. To find out more, contact your local social services department or volunteer bureau. Organisations such as Mind welcome volunteers – contact Mindinfoline for details of local Mind associations, or use the search facility on the website.
If you want to make a full-time commitment to voluntary work, you could contact Community Service Volunteers (see ‘Useful organisations’), an organisation that finds openings lasting from four months to a year for volunteers between 16 and 35 years of age. This period of time is spent away from home. Volunteers receive free board and lodging, plus expenses and pocket money.
Further information about volunteering can be obtained from Volunteering England and the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (see ‘Useful organisations’).
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Useful organisations
Association for Dance Movement Therapy UK (ADMTUK)
32 Meadfoot Lane,Torquay TQ1 2BW
email: admin@admt.org.uk web: www.admt.org.uk
A professional organisation that aims to develop communication amongst dance movement therapists and to promote the use of dance movement therapy throughout the UK in accordance with the highest professional standards.
Association of Professional Music Therapists
24–27 White Lion Street, London N1 9PD
tel: 020 7837 6100
email: APMToffice@aol.com web: www.apmt.org
The professional body for qualified and training music therapists in the UK.
British Association/College of Occupational Therapists
106–114 Borough High Street, London SE1 1LB
tel: 020 7357 6480
web: www.cot.org.uk
The professional body for occupational therapy staff in the UK.
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
BACP House, 15 St John’s Business Park, Lutterworth LE17 4HB
tel: 01455 550 300
email: bacp@bacp.co.uk web: www.bacp.co.uk
The largest membership organisation for counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK.
British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT)
24–27 White Lion Street, London N1 9PD
tel: 020 7686 4216
email: info@baat.org web: www.baat.org
The professional organisation for art therapists in the UK.
British Association of Dramatherapists
Waverley, Battledown Approach, Cheltenham GL52 6RE
tel: 01242 235 515
email: enquiries@badth.org.uk web: www.badth.org.uk
The professional body for drama therapists in the UK.
British Medical Association
BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JP
tel: 020 7387 4499
web: www.bma.org.uk
The professional association for doctors.
British Medical Association – Wales
5th Floor, 2 Caspian Point, Caspian Way, Cardiff Bay Cardiff, CF10 4DQ
tel: 029 2047 4646
email: info.cardiff@bma.org.uk web: www.bma.org.uk
British Psychological Society
St Andrews House, 48 Princess Road East, Leicester LE1 7DR
tel: 0116 254 9568
email: enquiries@bps.org.uk web: www.bps.org.uk
The representative body for psychology and psychologists in the UK.
British Society for Music Therapy
24–27 White Lion Street, London N1 9PD
tel: 020 7837 6100
email: info@bsmt.org web: www.bsmt.org
Advisory body and centre of information covering subjects including training, bibliography and research.
Care Council for Wales
South Gate House, Wood Street, Cardiff CF10 1EW
tel: 029 2022 6257
email: info@ccwales.org.uk web: www.ccwales.org.uk
Promotes high standards for social care workers to improve safeguards for users of social care services.
Community Service Volunteers
237 Pentonville Road, London N1 9NJ
tel: 020 7278 6601
volunteer hotline: 0800 284 533 (freephone)
email: information@csv.org.uk
web: www.csv.org.uk
The UK’s largest volunteering and training organisation, CSV works to reconnect people to their communities and so enrich their lives while tackling local needs.
General Social Care Council (GSCC)
Goldings House, 2 Hay’s Lane, London SE1 2HB
tel: 020 7397 5100
email: via website web: www.gscc.org.uk
Registers social care workers and regulates their training.
Health Professions Council
Park House, 184 Kennington Park Road, London, SE11 4BU
tel: 020 7582 0866
email: info@hpc-uk.org web: www.hpc-uk.org
Regulator for several health professions, including occupational therapists and arts therapists (art psychotherapists, art therapists, dramatherapists and music therapists).
Institute of Healthcare Management
18–21 Morley Street, London SE1 7QZ
tel: 020 7620 1030
email: enquiries@ihm.org.uk
web: www.ihm.org.uk
Aims to improve effectiveness in the quality of health services. The website provides information about personal development and learning.
NAPO (National Association of Probation Officers)
4 Chivalry Road, London SW11 1HT
tel: 020 7223 4887
email: info@napo.org.uk web: www.napo.org.uk
Trade union, professional association and campaigning group for family court and probation staff.
National Centre for Independent Living (NCIL)
4th Floor, Hampton House, 20 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TJ
tel: 020 7587 1663
email: info@ncil.org.uk web: www.ncil.org.uk
Provides information and advice on independent living.
NHS Careers
tel: 0845 60 60 655
email: via form on website
web: www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
The information service for careers in the NHS in England. Includes descriptions of careers, jobs and training courses.
Nursing and Midwifery Council
23 Portland Place, London W1B 1PZ
tel: 020 7637 7181
email: advice@nmc-uk.org web: www.nmc-uk.org
Professional association for nurses and midwives in the UK.
Royal College of Nursing
20 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0RN
tel: 020 7409 3333
web: www.rcn.org.uk
Largest professional union of nursing in the UK.
Royal College of Psychiatrists
17 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PG
tel: 020 7235 2351
email: rcpsych@rcpsych.ac.uk
web: www.rcpsych.ac.uk
The professional and educational body for psychiatrists in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
Royal College of Psychiatrists – Welsh Division
Baltic House, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff CH10 5FH
tel: 0292 048 9006
email: sconway@welshdiv.rcpsych.ac.uk
web: www.rcpsych.ac.uk/college/division/welsh.asp
The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust
Tavistock Centre, 120 Belsize Lane, London NW3 5BA
tel: 020 7435 7111
email: via website web: www.tavi-port.org
NHS trust with a worldwide reputation for therapeutic approaches in mental health in the public sector. Provides postgraduate training and academic courses for mental health and social care professions.
UK Advocacy Network (UKAN)
Volserve House, 14–18 West Bar Green, Sheffield S1 2DA
tel: 0114 272 8171
email: office@u-kan.co.uk
web: www.u-kan.co.uk
User-controlled national federation of advocacy projects, patients' councils, user forums and self-help and support groups working in the field of mental health.
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
2nd Floor, Edward House, 2 Wakley Street, London EC1V 7LT
tel: 020 7014 9955
email: info@ukcp.org.uk web: www.ukcp.org.uk
The largest UK membership organisation for psychotherapists.
Volunteering England
Regents Wharf, 8 All Saints Street, London N1 9RL
tel: 0845 305 6979
email: volunteering@volunteeringengland.org
web: www.volunteering.org.uk
Independent voluntary agency committed to supporting, enabling and celebrating volunteering. The website provides a directory of local volunteering opportunities.
Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA)
tel: 0800 2888 329
email: help@wcva.org.uk
web: www.wcva.org.uk
Represents and campaigns for voluntary organisations, volunteers and communities in Wales.
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Further reading
Mind factsheets
Arts therapies
Employing people with mental health problems – directory of specialist agencies
Seeking employment
Who’s who in mental health: a brief guide
Mind booklets
Making sense of cognitive behaviour therapy
Making sense of counselling
Making sense of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis
Mind guide to advocacy
Understanding talking treatments
Mind legal briefing
Disability Discrimination Act
This factsheet was written by Rachael Twomey, February, 2009.
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