Distance Learning - Understanding Mental Health Certificate L3 (24/25)

Distance learning relies on communication between you and the college. We appreciate that learners with busy lives might face challenges in keeping up with their courses. All we ask is that learners stay in touch with us. Learners who don't risk being withdrawn from their courses.

Leading on from our level 2 Mental Health Awareness course this level 3 will take learners' understanding to a higher level. Learners will be learning about further issues and consequences resulting from mental health problems; promoting positive mental health and working in mental health related settings. We would recommend this course to learners who have already studied a level 2 mental health course and are interested in working in health and social care, or as additional training for qualified counsellors, teachers, youth workers or charity workers.

Learners start and complete our distance learning courses every day, all year, so there is no need to wait until term begins. The courses are designed to be ready when you are, so you can fit it into your schedule.

Study takes place in an online virtual learning environment (VLE) where you can study at any time and at your own pace. We ask that learners complete their courses within the given timeframe and that as a broad average most courses can take approximately 6-8 hours per week to complete. However, timeframes are flexible on a person-by-person basis should any learners require reasonable adjustments or other additional support.

• Learners must live in England
• Learners must not live in a  local combined authority, apart from West of England Combined Authority (WECA)
• Learners must have lived in the European Economic area or the UK for at least
  the last three years
• Non-UK nationals will be asked to supply evidence of their immigration status
• Learners aged 19-23 must already hold a either a full level 2 qualification, or 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above

Learners are paired with an experienced assessor and they submit work and are assessed online using the virtual learning environment e-Assessor Pro. Learners are given detailed feedback on their work by their assessors. Any reasonable adjustments to assessment arrangements are made on a person-by-person basis.

Our courses have set durations however we are sympathetic with learners who have busy lifestyles and other demands on their time. As a general average we recommend that learners spend approximately 6-8 hours learning time per week. This can include interacting with learning content, completing assessments and other learning such as secondary reading, research or receiving learning support. Any learner who has concerns with the time commitment should contact us to discuss ways we can support them.

Unlike our L2 distance learning courses, enrolment for L3 does incur a cost. Some learners are eligible for full funding to cover this cost as part of HM Government's Free Courses for Jobs scheme. Eligibility for this is nuanced so we will use the information you provide when completing application and enrolment paperwork to advise you.

In addition to this, the course is also elgible for Student Finance England's Advanced Learner Loan. Applicants who wish to apply for the loan must declare it on their application and enrolment form. Otherwise we will assume that applicants ineligible for full funding will be paying the enrolment fee themselves.

Remote distance learners are afforded access to every kind of support available to on campus learners. This includes Welfare support and additional learning support. We have a dedicated Learning Support coordinator who can offer one-to-one support to learners. This can be for a myriad of reasons, ranging from disability, learning difficulties, or just needing some help after being out of education for a long time. There is no need to have a formal diagnosis of any condition to access this support.

Our distance learning courses are planned to meet both local and national skills needs. These courses are ideal as additional development for professionals, or as introductions to topics and issues which are relevant to finding work or further training. Distance learning students are able to access careers advice via the college's Student Services team. several of our courses complement each other and learners are able to study up to three courses each academic year (1st August-31st July).