Introduction and background
This framework replaces the Mental Health Core Skills Education and Training Framework (2016). The Department of Health and Social Care commissioned and funded this updated framework, which was developed by Skills for Care, Skills for Health and NHSE.
The framework review spanned several months and was guided by an Expert Reference Group (ERG) of mental health specialists from health and social care, facilitated and chaired by Skills for Care.
The framework includes suggestions for a range of learning content delivery models, with varying levels of flexibility to support different settings and workforce roles across the health and care workforce. It has been updated to provide a robust foundation for education professionals to review and align existing learning provision, including mental health awareness within the Care Certificate standards, employer induction programmes, mandatory training, specialist learning and training programmes, and qualifications accessed across the workforce.
Use of the framework will support organisations to:
- standardise the interpretation of mental health education and learning
- guide the focus and aims of mental health education and learning delivery
- support consistency of qualifications and quality assurance for mental health education and learning
- ensure the educational relevance of mental health training improve the quality and consistency of education and training provision.