Step into the workplace and put your theory into practice.
During your course, you’ll join a real workplace, known as a host agency, where you’ll learn under professional supervision. This student placement, or fieldwork, is a requirement to complete your qualification.
In a student placement, your role focuses entirely on your learning and growth. Your placement shows you how theory and practice come together in real-life practical situations. This is your opportunity to engage fully, ask thoughtful questions, and make the most of the guidance offered by your supervisors. Every conversation and task is a step towards becoming the confident practitioner you aspire to be.
Here are our tips for getting the most out of placements.
Before your placement starts
Be adequately prepared
If you are working to support yourself while studying, the placement may affect your employment and income. This might mean adjusting your work hours or taking leave.
If you feel you may need additional support during the placement period, speak with your education provider early. They can advise on what support might be available to help you while you complete the placement hours.
Learn what is expected of you
Your placement handbook is your guide to success. Read it carefully before you start. While this may seem obvious, it can be easy to ignore a lengthy document. Your handbook outlines your placement conditions and mentions exactly what your education provider and host agency require — from reflective report due dates, to dress codes and daily hours. Knowing the expectations reduces the risk of avoidable mistakes.
Recognise an unfit placement
The goal of a placement is to build the skills you’re working towards in your qualification. While some administrative tasks are part of the job, you shouldn’t be doing work unrelated to your course. Case work, for example, requires paperwork, but you should not be a de facto admin assistant. This is not work that relates to your qualification or skill level. Basic support and personal care, routine manual tasks, and simply accompanying clients are not appropriate activities for students undertaking placements at the Diploma level or within higher education courses. These tasks do not align with the advanced knowledge, skills, and professional judgement expected at this level of study. If your work doesn’t align with your learning goals, speak with your fieldwork placement coordinator.
Stay in touch with your education provider
Your education provider will assign a fieldwork placement coordinator to support you. They liaise between you and the host agency. They will also organise meetings between you, the host agency and the education provider to monitor and assess the progress of your placement.
Make sure you know when your fieldwork placement coordinator checks in and how you can contact them if a problem arises. Having this information from the start helps make your placement less stressful.
After your placement is over
Continue to reflect on your experience
Take time to debrief after your placement ends. Reflective reports guide you through this process, but allow yourself space to think about what you learned and how you can improve.
Use your experience to apply for work
Your placement may not be formal employment, but it helps you develop practical skills. Highlight these on your resume and in interviews. Think about situations that show your problem-solving and communication skills.
Maintain professional connections
The relationships you build during placement can help you as you start your career. Supervisors may offer valuable career advice, references, or even job leads. Your network is one of your greatest professional assets.
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