Prior to Placement Meeting

At the beginning of the Second year each student is interviewed by the Professional Placement Tutor and asked to express their interests and career aspirations. These expressed preferences will be taken into account when placing students and the Placement Tutor is available for help and advice in the process of applying for jobs.

When placed the student will be allocated a Visiting Tutor from the relevant academic department, who will liaise with them during the placement and complete the visits and assessment.

Supervision

The Student should be allocated to an individual workplace supervisor within the placement organisation. Such a supervisor should have regular contact with the student to form an effective channel of communication with university. The university appoints a member of staff as a visiting tutor.

University Contact

Normally, each student will have at least two contacts with the University (department) during their Professional Placement Period. At least two of these contacts will be visits to the place of work by the Visiting Tutor. On each visit the Tutor would expect to spend time with both the supervisor and the student.

Written Report

Each student will be expected to complete a 1,500 word written report on his/her placement giving details of the placement, of the range of tasks performed and providing an evaluation of their performance. Students will also be assessed on the basis of their performance in two briefing sessions, one preceding and one following the placement.

Supervisor's Written Assessment/Report

On completion of the placement, supervisors are asked to provide a written report and to complete two assessment forms on the student's performance during the placement.

Overall Assessment

The Professional Placement period is assessed by the Visiting Tutor's reports, the student's participation in the two briefing sessions, the placement supervisor's assessment and the student's 1,500 word report on the placement. Successful completion of the placement will qualify the student for an endorsement on their final degree certificate.

Retrievals

Close contact is kept with students throughout the placement year. If it appears that a placement is not going well, the Visiting Tutor or Professional Placement Tutor will discuss the problems with both the student and supervisor. If there is a breakdown of the placement, the student is relocated into a more suitable situation. If for any reason the student chooses not to, or is unable to continue, then they withdraw form the placement scheme for the remainder of the period.

Conditions of Work

The student is expected to conform to the normal working conditions in force at the place of employment. As an employee they will be covered by the Health and safety legislation accorded all persons employed in the UK . Placement organisations are asked to assure the university of their Health and Safety policy prior to the start of the placement.

The student, the university and the placement organisation will jointly sign a placement agreement, which outlines the arrangements of students on placement.