Developing Practice-Based Learning in Mental Health and Learning Disability Settings for the Allied Health Professions

Highlighting the Allied Health Professions contribution to the Mental Health and Learning Disabilities workforce

This guide highlights the benefits and opportunities of practice-based learning (PBL) through placements in mental health and learning disability settings for Allied Health Professions (AHP) students, focusing particularly on the professions most common in these settings.

The ideas and examples show how placements have been developed in these settings and highlight the benefits to students, Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s) and placement providers. Ultimately, these placements offer most benefit to patients, service users and families who receive holistic support for their health and care needs offered by the different Allied Health Professions.

PBL in mental health and learning disability settings offer students the opportunity to build their confidence, to understand their profession more broadly and to develop an essential skill set they will take forward into whichever professional setting they work in. The skills and knowledge gained by students when working in specialist mental health and learning disability settings will stay with them throughout their careers, shaping future career choice and ensuring transfer of these skills into different career pathways, supporting the development of the future AHP workforce across health and social care.

The slides shown during the launch event webinar can be found here.