IMH® Endorsement Pathway and Renewal Updates

Background

With support from The Mental Health Commission of WA, the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health (MI-AIMH) Competency Guidelines and Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant Mental Health® were adapted for the West Australian workforce by the AAIMH WA Competency Guidelines Working Group and published in 2015.

The Competency Guidelines® are the framework for Endorsement®, an internationally recognised credential in the field of Infant Mental Health, which was also licensed in 2015 and launched in 2019 by the AAIMH WA Competency Guidelines and Endorsement Working Group, with the second edition of the Competency Guidelines®.

Following an agreement with MI-AIMH in 2017, AAIMH became the Licensee of the Competency Guidelines® and opportunity for Endorsement® continued in WA for AAIMH members for several years.

New Endorsement® Process

The Australian Association for Infant Mental Health (AAIMH) is committed to ensuring that our national members can pursue IMH® Endorsement. A new pathway has been introduced by The Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health (The Alliance) to enable individuals located outside a member Association for Infant Mental Health (AIMH) that currently licenses Endorsement to apply directly through The Alliance. This pathway aims to foster a more diverse and inclusive global community of endorsed professionals while expanding access to IMH® Endorsement.

Updated Renewal Process

To support the growth and sustainability of the international endorsement network, The Alliance has updated the renewal process. From 1 January 2025, IMH® Endorsement will move to a three-year renewal cycle, allowing greater flexibility for life circumstances such as family leave, medical leave, or job transitions.

Key Details of the Revised Renewal Schedule

Renewal Timeline

  • Renewal in 2027: Individuals endorsed in 2026 or earlier will renew their endorsement by 31 December 2027.
  • Subsequent renewal years will occur in 2030, 2033, and every three years thereafter.
  • All renewal submissions are due by 31 December of the designated renewal year.

Attestation and Audits

  • During each three-year period, endorsed professionals will attest that they have met the required professional development and supervision criteria.
  • AAIMH will conduct random audits to ensure compliance with renewal requirements.

Renewal Requirements:
Requirements remain unchanged and are calculated across the three-year renewal period and include:

  • 45 hours of training related to social and emotional wellbeing in infant mental health (equivalent to approximately 15 hours per year)
  • 36 hours of reflective supervision/consultation
    (equivalent to approximately 12 hours per year)
  • Maintenance of active association membership

Professionals endorsed partway through a renewal cycle are required to meet the proportional annual requirements (e.g., approximately 15 hours of training per year).

 

Further Information

Detailed information on applying for IMH® Endorsement as an AAIMH member can be obtained by contacting The Alliance directly at:
alliance.endorsement@gmail.com
or by visiting the Endorsement Application System (EASy) at:
https://alliance.myeasy.org/

For local information about IMH® Endorsement, please contact:
Karen Griffin
Email: warep@aaimh.org.au