National Certificate in Mental Health and Addiction Support (Level 4) with optional strands in Addiction, Family/Whanau, and Kaupapa Maori

This qualification is designed for learners who wish to enter mental health and addiction support work, or who already work as paid or unpaid mental health and addiction support workers under supervision. People completing this qualification will meet the requirements of the Ministry of Health''s (2008) Let''s get real framework at the essential level of performance.

The compulsory section of this qualification recognises knowledge of factors that contribute to mental health wellbeing and mental health problems; interventions and models used by mental health and addiction support workers with service users; mental health and addiction issues, and the impact of co-existing problems; and the law related to support work in mental health and addiction services.

The compulsory section also recognises the knowledge, skills and attitudes related to applying culturally safe Maori operating principles and values; engaging with mental health and addiction service users and their natural supports; supporting a mental health and addiction service user to manage prescribed medication; the mental health and addiction sector in New Zealand and carrying out delegated tasks in their own role in the sector; contributing to the safety of mental health and addiction service users, support workers, and others; mental health and addiction issues at different life stages and supporting a service user at one life stage; providing information about local services and resources to mental health and addiction service users and their supports; supporting mental health and addiction service users to maintain wellness; and demonstrating and, reflecting on, their own ethical practice.

Elective 1 provides a choice of standards focusing on cultural issues relevant to mental health and addiction support.

Elective 2 provides a choice of standards from six specialist areas within the domain Mental Health and Addiction Support: addiction, family/whanau, forensic, infant child and youth, kaupapa Maori, and older persons; together with three named standards from the domains Older Persons'' Health and Wellbeing, and Kaupapa Hauora.

Candidates may select relevant standards from Elective 2, as specified in the optional strands, in order to be awarded the qualification with an optional internal strand in Addiction, Family/Whanau, or Kaupapa Maori.

This qualification is aligned with a pathway commencing with the National Certificate in Health, Disability, and Aged Support (Foundation Skills) (Level 2) [Ref: 1291]; and which may include the National Certificate in Health, Disability, and Aged Support (Core Competencies) (Level 3) [Ref: 1327] for which candidates may select the three named Level 3 standards from the domain Mental Health and Addiction Support.

Ara Institute of Canterbury is recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading tertiary institutes. Specialising in applied, vocational and professional training, it offers more than 150 courses from foundation to postgraduate level. 

Ara caters to a diverse range of learners; from school leavers and career changers to professionals wanting to upskill and individuals seeking to re-enter the workforce.

All Ara students benefit from the Ara Advantage: relevant courses, taught by inspirational mentors in real-life learning environments. Almost every Ara programme includes work-integrated learning. Work placements, apprenticeships, industry-based projects and internships ensure students are work-ready when they graduate.

Across its six campuses, Ara’s dedicated tutors and non-academic staff support students throughout their study journey. A comprehensive range of student services - such as financial assistance, learning support, health and wellbeing services, accommodation, childcare and student events – contributes to the success of every student.

It also has six additional small community hubs which deliver free digital upskilling and personal development courses.