Working in Mental Health Pathway | Blackpool and The Fylde College

Summary

Are you passionate about supporting mental health and wellbeing in your community? The Working in Mental Health Pathway at Blackpool and The Fylde College is designed for individuals who want to build a career in mental health support, care or education. Whether you're new to the sector or looking to enhance your current role, this pathway provides the essential knowledge and skills to make a meaningful difference.

Through a series of nationally recognised qualifications, you’ll explore a wide range of mental health topics—from awareness and understanding of specific conditions to strategies for promoting wellbeing and supporting others.

The pathway includes the following qualifications:

NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Mental Health Awareness
NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health

and is ideal for those pursuing roles in health and social care, education or community services, and offers clear progression routes into advanced study and employment.

Next course dates

Start date	Location	Duration / Fees
01 Aug 2025	Community Based	/ £0	Apply now
01 Aug 2026	Community Based	/ £0	Apply now

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

The Working in Mental Health Pathway is ideal for individuals who want to work in roles that support mental wellbeing across a variety of sectors. It provides a strong foundation for careers in health and social care, education, youth work, and community outreach. With increasing recognition of the importance of mental wellbeing and the growing demand for individuals to support those with mental health issues, the job market in this sector is buoyant and individuals who have successfully acquired nationally recognised qualifications should be exceptionally well-paced to secure well-paid jobs in the sector with the prospect of advancement and improved salary expectations.

This pathway is also a great springboard for those wishing to pursue further study in this area who would like to take their qualifications to degree-level standard. Opportunities exist both at Blackpool and The Fylde College and at other institutions to purse higher level qualifications and there may even be the possibility of securing a Higher or Degree Apprenticeship in this arena.

Next steps at B&FC

On completing the Working in Mental Health Pathway, learners can progress to a range of higher-level qualifications at Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC), including:

NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills
Level 4 Certificate in Counselling
Level 5 Foundation Degree in Mental Health and Resilience

These courses are designed to deepen your understanding of mental health and prepare you for professional roles in counselling, support work, and community care.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates of the Working in Mental Health Pathway will be well-prepared for a variety of support-based and public-facing roles where mental health awareness is essential. These roles are found across care, education, and community sectors.

Potential job titles include:

These roles allow you to apply your knowledge in real-world environments and support individuals experiencing mental health challenges.

Key information

Entry Requirements

Technical Entry Requirements:

Age: 19 years or over (19+)

Additional Non-Qualification-Based Entry Requirements:

DBS Check: A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is not required for enrolment on this course. However, it is essential for those seeking employment or voluntary work involving vulnerable adults. This check is typically arranged through your employer or placement provider.
English and Maths: A basic level of proficiency in English and Maths is recommended to support your learning and understanding of the course content.

These entry requirements ensure that learners are prepared to engage fully with the course and are aware of the expectations for future progression or employment in mental health and care-related roles.

Fees and funding

Whilst many adult courses are fully funded for 19+ learners, funding can depend both on the course itself and/or the learner's personal circumstances, including their current income levels and previous qualifications.

To find out if you might be eligible for full or partial funding or for an Advanced Learner Loan (Level 3 qualifications only), please visit our Financial Support section. You will also find more information here about additional financial support you might be entitled to such as help to cover childcare and equipment costs.

Extra costs and equipment

There are no additional equipment costs associated with this course. 

What will I learn?

The Working in Mental Health Pathway includes two core qualifications, each offering a comprehensive curriculum:

NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Mental Health Awareness

Understanding Mental Health
Stress, Anxiety, Phobias, and Depression
Postnatal Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia
Dementia and Eating Disorders
Legal frameworks, support strategies, and the impact on individuals and communities

NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health

The context of mental health and wellbeing
Promotion of mental health across the lifespan
Associated issues such as substance misuse and offending behaviour
Understanding mental ill health and the recovery model
Working in mental health services and professional responsibilities

Each course builds your knowledge and prepares you for practical application in care, education, or community settings.

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

Although a formal work placement is not mandatory, learners are required to be working or volunteering in a relevant setting. This ensures that you can apply your learning directly to real-world situations, making the course particularly suitable for those already employed in the sector or actively gaining experience.

At Blackpool and The Fylde College, your learning is further enriched through guest speakers and employer engagement events. These sessions feature professionals from across the mental health and care sectors, including NHS staff, mental health charities, and community outreach programmes. These experiences provide valuable insights into current practice and help you explore the diverse career opportunities available in mental health and wellbeing.

How will I learn?

Our courses are delivered through a blended learning approach, combining the flexibility of digital resources with the benefits of face-to-face teaching. While some elements of the course may be accessed online, this is not an online-only course—you will be required to attend in-person sessions at scheduled times throughout the programme.

The programme primarily focuses on theoretical knowledge but also includes practical hands-on elements to enhance learning and application. This flexible approach ensures that students can engage with the material in a way that best suits their needs.

Interactive Lectures: Engaging lectures that encourage student participation and discussion.

Group Work: Collaborative projects and activities that foster teamwork and communication skills.

Practical Workshops: Hands-on sessions where students can apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios.

Online Resources: Access to a wealth of online materials, including videos, articles, and interactive modules.

This flexible yet structured approach ensures that you receive the guidance, peer interaction, and practical experience needed to succeed in the health and social care sector.

Expert tutors

All tutors involved in the delivery of adult courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich our students’ learning experience and enable them them to get the inside track on what working in the industry is really like.

How will I be assessed?

Students will be assessed through a combination of methods designed to evaluate their understanding and practical application of the course material. The assessment process is structured to ensure that students can demonstrate their knowledge and skills effectively.

Assessment Methods:

Portfolio of Evidence: Throughout the course, students will compile a portfolio of evidence that showcases their learning and achievements. This portfolio will include various forms of assessment such as written assignments, case studies, and practical tasks.
Written Assignments: These assignments will test students' understanding of theoretical concepts and their ability to apply this knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Case Studies: Students will analyse specific situations, demonstrating their problem-solving skills and ability to provide appropriate care and support.

Grading:

The course is assessed on a pass or fail basis. Students must meet all the assessment criteria for each unit to achieve a pass.
The portfolio of evidence is a crucial component of the assessment process, as it provides comprehensive proof of the student's competence and understanding.