Level 7 Perinatal Mental Health (Maternal, Infant and Family) (Level 7, 30 credits)
- Course type
- Continued Professional Development (CPD)
- Course qualification
- Level 7
Course summary
What is the fee?
For all course options, see fees and funding
Where will I study?
School of Health and Society
How long will I study?
One semester
Overview
This course aims to develop knowledge and skills in relation to perinatal mental health (PIMH) problems, offering appropriate care and support for pregnant women, mothers, infants and their families. It will also help develop critical understanding of the evidence base related to the appropriate management and treatment of mild-moderate and severe PIMH problems, in the mother and the promotion of infant wellbeing.
You will:
- develop expertise in perinatal mental health in relation to pregnant and new mothers, their infants and family
- enhance your own practice and confidence in relation to PIMH
- gain critical awareness of the potential impact of psychological/emotional changes during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period
How you learn
Future careers
This module would help to develop or enhance your knowledge and skills related to caring for pregnant women, new mothers their infants and families with perinatal mental health problems. This module would be especially beneficial for those already working in specialist perinatal mental health roles or those aspiring to work in such roles.
Career Links
We work with over 100 health and social care organisations so our links with industry are very strong. These relationships will be of direct benefit to you because our academic team work in practice in some of these organisations at a senior level so are able to keep you at the forefront of developments in the sector which in turn help you provide a better service.
Modules
This module will enable you to develop expertise in perinatal mental health in relation to pregnant and new mothers, their infants and family. The module runs over one semester. You would be required to attend for one week block and then three single study days which will deliver the taught components. The other weeks will be in practice developing clinical skills.
Taught sessions will include theory and practice where discussion is encouraged. We will use clinical scenarios throughout the module to explore the identification, assessment and management of perinatal mental health illness including care and support for the infant and wider family. It is anticipated that students will contribute to the taught sessions as we feel that sharing good practice is an important component of this module.
On successful completion you will be able to demonstrate:
- Knowledge and skills in relation to PIMH, identifying, assessing and supporting pregnant and new mothers, their infants and families.
- Critical awareness of the potential impact of psychological/emotional changes during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period on the mother, infant partner and family.
- Critical understanding of safeguarding, legal and policy issues related to PIMH, including engagement in collaborative working within the multidisciplinary and agency team.
- Critical understanding of the evidence relating to the complex factors that may increase the risk of PIMH problems.
- Critical understanding of the assessment, referral pathways and treatment options for PIMH issues.
Please note that exact modules and content offered may vary in order to keep content current and, for courses that offer optional modules, may depend on the number of students selecting particular options. When accepting your offer of a place to study on a programme with optional modules, you should be aware that optional modules may not all run each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you can undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
Entry requirements
This module is aimed at midwives, health visitors, neonatal nurses, mental health nurses and other health care professionals working with women and families.
Entry requirements
Previous study and experience
You must have a health professional qualification recognised by a professional body such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
You should also have an undergraduate degree grade 2:1 or above.
For more information contact: Pat Killeen: p.a.killeen@salford.ac.uk or Jeanne Lythgoe: j.lythgoe@salford.ac.uk
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.
Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
Fees and funding
2025/26
| Type of study | Fees |
|---|---|
| Part-time | £1,530 |
2026/27
| Type of study | Fees |
|---|---|
| Part-time | £1,570 |
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.