Bradford Selected For Pioneering Mental Health Training Programme

Thursday, 19 May 2016 07:00

Bradford is one of just 16 areas in the country to be selected to take part in a pioneering mental health training programme.

The programme will see 16 local services working in partnership with the charity Think Ahead to transform mental health support services. This includes training graduates as specialist mental health social workers and improving the lives of people with mental health problems by focusing on their social circumstances, e.g. relationships, support networks and living arrangements.

Bradford Council and Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust will be jointly running the programme for the district. They competed with mental health services across the country to secure their place. The successful services were selected by Think Ahead, based on their commitment to working on the social elements of mental ill health and ability to provide a supportive environment for Think Ahead's intensive training approach.

The national training programme is funded by £12m from the Department of Health. Bradford is taking eight graduates from September, who will receive on-the-job training.

Mark Trewin, Service Manager for Mental Health at Bradford Council, said: "I am excited to welcome Think Ahead participants to our integrated community mental health teams in Bradford and Airedale.

"Social work has a key role in supporting people who rely on mental health services to acheive their full potential. Bradford Council can provide a stimulating and varied learning environment for Think Ahead participants with our partners in Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust."

Debra Gilderdale, deputy director of acute and community mental health services at Bradford District NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We have been planning locally for a year with the Think Ahead, in partnership with Bradford Council.

"I am delighted that we have committed to support this new route into mental health social work.Ensuring that we have the graduates embedded in our integrated mental health teams will make a positive impact on delivering high quality mental health services locally, whilst giving them first-hand front line experience."

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