IAO Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health

The Innovate Awarding Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health is a regulated and knowledge-based qualification designed to provide a solid foundation in this critical subject. It's a key stepping stone for career progression and personal development, equipping learners with the awareness needed to identify and respond to mental health challenges in young people.

This qualification is delivered through a flexible, self-paced learning model, allowing you to study around your existing work and life commitments. You will build a comprehensive portfolio of evidence to demonstrate your understanding, with full support from our dedicated tutor team.

What You Will Learn

This course is broken down into five mandatory units, covering a wide range of topics:

• Unit 1: Understanding the Context of Mental Health

  • Learn the fundamental concepts of mental health and well-being.

  • Explore the key legislation and guidance that applies to children and young people.

    
    

  • Understand how societal attitudes, stigma, and discrimination can affect a young person's perception of their own mental health.

    
    

• Unit 2: Factors Affecting Mental Health

  • Identify the risk and protective factors that can influence a young person's mental well-being.

    
    

  • Examine the impact of developmental changes, abuse, and bullying.

• Unit 3: Understanding Mental Health Concerns

  • Learn to recognise behaviours associated with mental ill-health.

    
    

  • Explore specific conditions such as stress, anxiety, and depression.

  • Understand what constitutes a mental health "crisis" or emergency.

• Unit 4: The Impact of Mental Ill-Health

  • Recognise the short- and long-term effects of mental ill-health on a young person's family life, education, and relationships.

  • Understand the impact on others and the importance of a formal diagnosis.

    
    

• Unit 5: How to Provide Support

  • Learn about person-centred approaches to care.

    
    

  • Discover strategies for promoting mental well-being and creating a nurturing environment.

  • Identify the professional services, treatments, and therapies available to support children and young people.

    
    

Who is this course for?

This qualification is ideal for:

• Care workers, support staff, and social care professionals.

• Teaching assistants and school support staff.

• Youth workers, mentors, and community volunteers.

• Parents, guardians, and anyone with a personal interest in the subject.

There are no formal entry requirements, though learners should have a genuine interest in the subject and a commitment to learning.

How Long Will the Course Take?

The course is designed to be flexible. The official Total Qualification Time (TQT) is 160 hours, which includes all learning and assessment time. Most learners complete the course within 12 to 16 weeks, but you can work at your own pace. You will have up to 12 months (or a similar timeframe, as per your policy) to complete the qualification.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a portfolio of evidence. This involves a series of written questions and tasks that you will complete as you progress through each unit. There are no exams. Your portfolio will be internally assessed by our expert assessors and externally quality-assured by Innovate Awarding to ensure a high-quality outcome.

Progression

Upon successful completion, this qualification can support your progression into further education or employment. You could move on to a Level 3 qualification in a related field, or enhance your employability in roles such as:

• Teaching Assistant

  
  

• Social Work Assistant

  
  

• Support Worker

• Health Play Specialist