Work Placement Handbook

Information for students and Placement Provider
2020
Contents
1. Introduction
2. University Staff Contact Details
3. Learning Outcomes
4. General Information
5. Planning and Preparation
6. Supervision
7. Assessment of the placement
1

8. Roles and responsibilities of student, placement supervisor and
university staff
9. Appendices including all appropriate placement documentation
Introduction,
Dear Student and Placement Provider,
Welcome to the placement element of the University of Sunderland in London
Foundation programme in Health and Social Care. The placement is in first
and second year and forms the basis for the module FHS115 Work Based
Learning. This 20 credit module will enable the student to undertake work-
based practice in an organisational setting of their choice and to utilise this
experience to develop and reflect upon a range of generic, subject and
programme specific skills which are likely to be required in any future
career/area of employment.
The aim of this handbook is to provide information to support both the student
and the placement provider in the planning and delivery of the placement
experience. Should either of you require additional information or support then
please feel free to contact me, or any other programme tutor.
Learning Outcomes from Placement
The purpose of the placement is to help the student improving their
own learning and performance whilst relating subject specific
knowledge within the ‘work environment’.
2

Specifically, the learning outcomes for the module are as follows:
Knowledge:
K1. Understanding of organisational theories
K2. Ethical codes of conduct relevant to health and social care practice
Skills
S1. Ability to apply theory to practice
S2. Ability to use ‘Reflection on Action’ to analyse own, or observed,
practice
S3. Ability to present material in a clear and coherent manner, which
demonstrate good literature searching and referencing skills
S4. Ability to undertake, and log the hours spent, on a work based
learning placement
INTRODUCTION
The 'practice' may be undertaken in a private, statutory or voluntary agency
where you are already employed/working as a volunteer or in a different
organisation. The period of 'contact' within your chosen setting may also be
negotiated with your pathway tutor, provided that the assessment criteria can
be met. Whatever the setting this module will enable the student to:
 Extend and evaluate your understanding of their chosen
programme pathway
 Broaden their awareness of organisational processes and
policies
 Enhance analytic and written communication skills
 Identify those transferable skills which they would like to develop
 Evaluate their competence in these skills
General Information:
Who is responsible for organizing the Placement?
The student is responsible for identifying and contacting a potential placement
3

opportunity. However, both the Placement Tutor and the Academic Team may
be able to help with suggestions and possible initial contacts where possible.
Once the student has identified a potential placement, and before they start,
they need to complete all appropriate documentation – see below. The
student will not officially be considered as being on placement until this
documentation has been completed and returned to the Placement Tutor
for approval.
Length and Timing of the Placement
The placement lasts for 50 hours with the timing and structure being
negotiated between the student and placement provider. It will take place
between March, 2020 and June 2020.
Planning and Preparation for the Placement
The placement should be negotiated by the student and approved by the
module leader. For the purposes of the module, the placement activity will be
undertaken for, or through, an agency or organisation whose aim it is to
support people within a health and social care context. The placement will
normally be around London and the South East of England.
Each student should consider their personal skills and interests when
choosing a placement, which could be in a wide variety of agencies. Any
activity may be considered, if it enables them to meet the learning objectives
and other requirements of the module. Whilst the Tutor may offer support, it
is the responsibility of the student to make any contact with an organization.
The placement should be negotiated with a Practice Supervisor and should
provide the opportunity to observe and become involved in normal
organisational activities relevant to the student’s interests, knowledge, skills
and abilities. The exact nature of the placement will vary and be unique to
each student. It is important to identify a practice supervisor who agrees to
provide on-going support and guidance in the placement.
The placement should be for a total of 50 hours, the duties and times being
negotiated between the student and the practice supervisor when agreeing
the Learning Contract (see below). The placement may commence with an
on-site induction and students may, if appropriate, be required to undergo
training. These requirements will be included in the Learning Contract and
will be included in your required 50 hours of placement.
Preparing a CV: Some organisations will ask for a CV. The student is
therefore encouraged to either initiate or update their CV prior to approaching
an organization. Advice and guidance on this are available from the University
Careers and Employability Service.
4

Work based placements will give you a valuable opportunity to put your learning
into practice, develop professional skills and become more employable. You will
spend a minimum of 50 hours with an external employer in a role directly
relevant to your course.
Essential info
• You’ll spend 50 hours in the workplace.
• The placement will be a good fit with your course, meaning you’ll be able to
learn the relevant care skills for your profession.
• The placement will take place during [March 2020], from [June 2020]
• Completing your placement is compulsory. Non-attendance is not an option.
What are the benefits for you?
● Build and develop your professional skills, increasing your competence
and ability to progress into skilled employment.
● Further develop “soft skills” such as communicating, teamwork and
problem solving.
● Gain deeper knowledge of the running of an organisation business and
teamwork principles
● Opportunity for personal growth: develop self-reliance, step out of your
comfort zone, build confidence and learn about yourself. Identify your
strengths and preferences for future career options.
● Potentially secure a job or apprenticeship with the employer afterwards
and on completion of your course
● Build a valuable working relationship with an employer, resulting in a
more meaningful reference to use for future job applications.
● Grow your network in the profession (including making contacts in other
organisations), helping you to identify future job roles.
Professional placements have been designed, so that when you finish your
course, you are best placed to progress, whether that is directly into
employment, higher level skills training such as an apprenticeship, or pursuing
more education. A meaningful professional placement will make a significant
difference to your future employment prospects, and make you stand out
against other applicants in the job market.
How is the Student Assessed?
The student must present at the end of the placement a portfolio of evidence.
This includes the following:
A presentation of your organisation by identifying and analysing the
organisational theories based on your placement experience Approx.
1,200 words
A written Reflective Personal Profile/Placement Journal/Diary which
covers the organisational theories, ethical codes, linking theory and
practice; based on the experiences using one of the reflective models
5

as a guidance Include literature searches and referencing (Approx.
2,000 words)
A learning contract drawn up between student and placement
provider
A (on the profile plus additional material in support
100% of total marks testing the learning outcomes K1 and K2 and S1 and S2
n.b. the student must achieve a pass in each of the above elements.
Deadline for Submission Students have to submit their portfolios
during the Assessment Weeks of Term 2.
Completion of other documentation during and at the end of placement
It is expected that the student keep a record of the hours completed on
placement using the Record of Hours form (copy in appendices). On
completion of the placement confirmation of the 50 hours achieved together
with a brief supervisors report confirming that the student has successfully
completed the placement learning outcomes should be completed and signed
by the supervisor. N.B. The placement and hence the module cannot be
passed without this document.
Supervision
It is expected that the student is allocated a named supervisor for the
duration of their placement. Due to the varied and broad occupational
contexts in which the student may be working within it is not possible to
stipulate any specific level of qualification which the supervisor may have.
However, it is hoped they have a level of experience appropriate to their role.
Similarly, it is unrealistic to stipulate the number and duration of supervisory
sessions that take place over the course of the placement. However, it is
hoped that time is scheduled to allow the student to discuss and review their
progress in achieving the learning outcomes. Should any supervisor have any
queries about this then please contact the Placement Tutor. See also section
on roles and responsibilities on page 14.
Teaching input to support the placement
There are a number of taught sessions that support the placement which
include identification of learning needs, evaluation, reflective and professional
practice and how to make the most of the placement. These are planned
formal teaching sessions which take place at the start of the module. Later,
more informal sessions are delivered to respond to individual needs of the
student and which reflect the student placement experience. All teaching
6

materials are available on Canvas and relevant texts are available on My
Module Resources. However, the primary source of learning for the student is
via experiential learning meaning that the student learns by actively
participating in the placement.
On-going review
Your personal review of the experience will be a continuous process recorded
in your reflective placement journal/diary and is part of your assessment and
portfolio.
You must establish contact with the module leader immediately if you
experience any problems or difficulties, or if there are any changes proposed
to the agreed terms of reference in the Learning Contract
7

Project Title/Role:
Company/Organisation name:
Student name:
Dates of placement:
Work Placement Student Log book
This log book is for you to use prior to, during and after your WORK PALCEMENT
so that you:
● Feel prepared for your placement, with clear goals for what you want to achieve
● Keep track of and reflect your learning and development during your placement
● Use your experience to inform future planning and skill development
● Have a record of your achievements to refer to
This guidance is for you to help plan and prepare for work placements.
Timing Task
8