Forensic Mental Health Services Workforce Development Grant

This is a workforce development grant specifically for non-clinical and cultural kaimahi (staff) working in regional adult forensic mental health services in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The grant will help cover the costs to take part in a course or training programme that aligns with your work role or your professional development plan, as well as the values, attitudes, skills and knowledge of the Let’s get real framework. The course or training must have a focus on improving health outcomes for Māori accessing forensic mental health services.

Applications for the forensic mental health services workforce development grant will open on Friday 9 October 2023 and close at midday on Friday 9 February 2024.

We recommend submitting your application on our online grants portal at least 3-7 days before closing time. You can register in our portal at any time, and it will save your details.

You can expect to hear back from us with the outcome within 3 weeks of fully completing your application form.

Applications are open to non-clinical and cultural kaimahi (staff) working a minimum of 0.4 FTE in a regional adult forensic mental health service (Te Whatu Ora or NGO) in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Applicants must have the approval of their direct manager to attend the training course (a letter of support from their manager will be required).

The grant covers the costs of the applicant taking part in a relevant course or training programme. The grant can be used for:

• course fees
• related resources (eg workbooks)
• a contribution towards travel and accommodation costs.

The workforce development grant does not cover the employer/forensic mental health service back-filling or wages of the applicant.

Applicants can be funded up to a maximum of $5,000 (GST inclusive). Multiple applications can be submitted by the same applicant but a separate application must be received for each course/training programme.

In order to better meet the needs of the people accessing forensic mental health services, grant preference will be applied to applicants who:

• are Māori, Pasifika or Asian descent and/or
• identify as LGBTTQIA+.

You must start the course or training programme before 31 December 2023. We require confirmation of enrolment.

As well as complying with the grant terms and conditions, applications must also meet following the eligibility criteria.

Participants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.

The learning activity must:

• be delivered in New Zealand
• not already be fully funded by other agencies/funds
• start (and usually end) in the calendar year of the grant.

Here are several suggestions of courses or education programmes that may interest you. Applications are open to other courses that meet the eligibility criteria.

• Te Rau Ora delivers a selection of amazing courses.
• He Puna Whakaata under Te Rau Ora. Although some of these programmes are free, the grant could go towards travel and accommodation costs.
• Whitireia offers programmes in health and wellbeing, mental health, addiction, and peer support.
• Mahi a Atua offers a range of training options.
• Open Polytech has a monthly intake for a New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4).