Mental Health at Work | 2-day

Mental Health at Work | QNUK Level 3 Award (RQF)

Awareness is valuable. At Level 3, it becomes the foundation for active, confident leadership.

The Level 2 Award in Mental Health at Work equips employees to recognise problems and signpost support. The Level 3 takes this further. It is designed for managers, team leaders and HR professionals who carry a direct responsibility for the wellbeing of others, and who need the depth of knowledge to act on that responsibility effectively, not just empathetically.

Over two days, the QNUK Level 3 Award in Mental Health at Work (RQF) builds the theoretical understanding needed to identify a broader range of mental health conditions, including psychosis, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, alongside the workplace-specific legal framework that shapes every management response. The qualification is listed on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and aligned with guidance from the NHS and leading mental health organisations.

This qualification supports employers in meeting their duties under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

What You Will Learn

This qualification builds systematically across nine learning outcomes.

1. The Principles of Mental Wellbeing

• The World Health Organisation definitions of mental health and mental ill-health
• The impact of poor mental health on individuals and teams
• Why removing stigma matters in a management context, and how to do it in practice

2. Legal Requirements for Managing Mental Health at Work

• The impact of poor mental health at individual, team and organisational level
• Key legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Equality Act 2010
• Employer and employee duties, and the management actions that demonstrate compliance
• The 4E framework for supporting a colleague: Environment, Effective communication, Empathy and Engaging further assistance

3. Recognising the Causes and Impact of Stress

• The HSE definition of stress and the Management Standards framework
• Occupational and personal risk factors, and how managers can influence both
• Recognising acute and chronic signs of stress in team members

4. Recognising and Supporting Those with Common Mental Health Conditions

• Depression, generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder: risk factors, signs and condition-specific support approaches
• Cognitive behaviour therapy, talking therapies and appropriate charity signposting

5. Recognising and Supporting Those with Psychosis

• Risk factors, signs and how to provide safe, reassuring support
• Signposting to GP services, local crisis teams and MIND

6. Recognising and Supporting Those with Bipolar Disorder

• The cyclical nature of bipolar disorder and how it presents at work
• Practical workplace adjustments and referral pathways

7. Recognising and Supporting Those with Schizophrenia

• Risk factors, signs and the importance of approaching schizophrenia without stereotyping
• Building social connections and supporting continued treatment

8. Harmful Coping Strategies

• The full range of harmful coping, including self-harm, eating disorders, substance misuse, excessive gambling, social media overuse and workaholism
• Recognising the signs in a workplace context
• How to support a colleague using harmful coping strategies, and how not to

9. Recognising and Supporting an Individual in Suicidal Crisis

• Risk factors, including specific demographic risks
• Warning signs, including the important reminder that many people in crisis show no signs at all
• What to do: active listening, contacting the crisis team, and using Samaritans as an immediate resource

Course Details

Content Note

This qualification covers some of the most challenging subjects in mental health practice, including psychosis, suicidal crisis and harmful coping strategies. Some delegates may have personal experience of these areas. Our trainers are experienced in handling difficult content with sensitivity and without judgement. A breakout space is available at our Knutsford training centre; for courses at your premises, please ensure a quiet room is available.

If you have concerns about a specific delegate’s suitability at this time, please contact us before booking.

Learning and Assessment:

• Course Duration: We deliver this comprehensive course face-to-face over a minimum period of 2 days. This equals 12 Guided Learning Hours. However, learners have up to 6 weeks to finish all elements.
• Delivery Formats: This course is only offered this course via face-to-face classroom learning.  Blended or self-directed distance learning is not permitted for this specific qualification.
• Assessment: You can complete this qualification through an invigilated written examination. Alternatively, candidates can complete an independent workbook alongside a mandatory practical observation.
  • Written Exam Details: The invigilated exam lasts 60 minutes and consists of multiple-choice and short-answer questions. You must score 70% (28/40) or higher to pass.
  • Workbook and Practical Details: If you choose the workbook and practical conversation route, you must achieve a 100% pass mark on both components.

Group Size:

• Classroom Training: We maintain a strict maximum trainer-to-learner ratio of 1:12 for face-to-face learning.
• Virtual Delivery: For courses delivered in virtual environments, we limit the ratio to 1:8 to maximize personal engagement.

Certificate Period:

• Your qualification remains valid for 3 years.

Pre-requisites:

• Age: Learners should ideally be at least 18 years old to take this qualification.
• Language: The assessments require a strong command of the English language. For this reason, we recommend that all candidates are capable of working at a minimum of Level 2 literacy.
• Prior Learning: This course requires no specific prior qualifications or certifications. However, please note that recognition of prior learning (RPL) cannot be applied to shorten this programme.

Progression:

• After earning this award, you can take on designated corporate well-being roles. Alternatively, you can easily progress your professional development toward other specialized mental health qualifications.

Choosing the Right Course

Chris Garland Training is a signatory of the Charter for Employers Positive about Mental Health. Contact us to discuss a programme approach for your organisation.