Education and progression for support workers in mental health

– The purpose of this case study is to detail the development of a bespoke programme of learning for Support Workers employed in the mental health sector.

– The programme was designed to serve three purposes: to offer a route into mental health nursing; to upskill those who wanted to remain as a Support Worker; to improve the quality of care provided.

– The paper shares the perspectives of the local Partnership Trust, a Support Worker on the programme and the Programme Director.

– Employers within the mental health sector are encouraged to develop their own staff and universities are urged to think differently about curriculum design.