SOME of the first social care staff in the country to complete a new certificate in community mental health care have received their awards at a ceremony held by Hampshire County Council.

The staff were among 210 social services staff working in home care, older people's residential and day services, mental health, residential child care, catering and administration who were awarded a range of vocational qualifications.

Social care staff have studied for up to two years to gain the levels two, three or four National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ), Post Qualifying Awards (PQ), Approved Social Worker Awards and Certificate in Community Mental Health Care.

The new mental health care certificate was developed nationally to address concerns that there was no appropriate qualification in mental health for unqualified staff, and social services staff have risen to the challenge of being among the first in the country to undertake it.

To gain their qualifications staff have undertaken college sessions - including a successful training and assessment partnership with Southampton City College - workplace observation and assessment, and up to six hours of study in their own time each week. More than 700 social services staff now have NVQ qualifications, demonstrating social services' commitment to the government's National Training Strategy for Social Care and to the personal development of their staff.

Hampshire County Council social care executive member Councillor Felicity Hindson said: "I very much congratulate all staff on their achievements. Having qualified staff with excellent workplace knowledge and practice will ensure Hampshire residents who use our social care services are getting the very best of care."

Social services director Terry Butler said: "Staff are to be commended for their fine efforts in gaining these important qualifications, much of which has been done in their own time."