Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner in Homelessness (PGCert)

Learn how to improve the quality and effectiveness of homelessness services on our PGCert Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner in Homelessness course. You can study this course part-time and it's fully online, offering a flexible delivery.

This psychological wellbeing practitioner (PWP) course is designed for people who work in, or would like to work in, homelessness services and offers unparalleled training in psychological approaches. The course is ideal if you work in the homeless sector and want to enhance your skills and knowledge. It does not train you to be a qualified counsellor, but is aimed at building your experience in line with the National Homelessness Skills Framework.  

You’ll develop practical leadership and evaluation skills that are transferrable across settings, and you’ll learn to think strategically to make impactful change. Through incorporating lived experience into service design, you’ll be able to enhance psychologically informed practice within your organisation. You'll make a real difference in the lives of those facing homelessness.

Through this course you’ll:

• gain an understanding of the complexity surrounding homelessness and repeat homelessness
• build knowledge of psychological theory surrounding behaviour change and low-intensity psychological interventions 
• learn about reflective practice models and working reflexively 
• develop an understanding of systems change and the impact of government policy
• comprehend the role of lived experience and peer mentoring in homelessness, and their delivery through peer programmes

As a graduate psychological wellbeing practitioner in homelessness, you’ll be a highly desirable candidate to progress within organisations that support those experiencing homelessness. This includes frontline services, management roles, and strategic roles. You’ll have the expertise required to influence the development and implementation of policy within the homelessness sector. 

Your PWP in Homelessness learning experience

You’ll learn from experts by experience, homelessness clinicians, and researchers. Their teaching will bring the latest perspectives and insights into psychologically informed homelessness practice. This will ensure a real-world relevance to your studies. As part of a practical learning experience, you’ll be able to showcase your areas of interest through formal presentations. You’ll also join seminars delivered by the Centre for Innovation in Mental Health (CIMH) in the wider School of Psychology.

You’ll have unique networking opportunities through guest speakers, cohort meetings, and events facilitated by the Centre for Homelessness Research and Practice (CHRP) and the Homelessness Community of Practice (HCoP). Through these opportunities, you’ll enrich your skill portfolio and gain insight into career progression within this field. You'll learn from diverse assessment methods and online lectures and workshops, ensuring the course content is accessible and convenient.

The CHRP at the University of Southampton works closely with a Community Interest Company called OutcomeHome, which provides services to people experiencing homelessness. This collaboration enables evidence-based practice within the University enterprise frameworks, including a planned impact case study and Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP). You'll contribute and learn from a group of psychologists and peer mentors working in the homelessness sector. 

Entry Requirements

This course is for those who are currently working in the homelessness sector. You will be expected to utilise the knowledge and skills you learn in the course in your working role.

If you're a front line homelessness worker (including experts by experience) you'll be able to study this PGCert. You'll need to have a first or second class degree, or equivalent, from an approved University or institution of higher education. 

Course structure

This PGCert Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner in Homelessness course is part-time and is a fully online course with flexible delivery.

The course runs for one day per week during the academic year. Live online teaching will be held on Mondays, and you’ll be provided with your timetable in advance. Live teaching will be recorded and made available online.

In addition to the online teaching on Monday, you'll need to commit an extra day per week for self-directed study. This will need to be agreed in advance with your line manager.