Placement providers are primarily situated in health and social care settings across Wales, although students may also have an opportunity to pursue non-traditional placements in the private and third sectors.

To find out more about your placements you should have a point of contact within your School that is responsible for placements – sometimes called a Practice Education Facilitator (a PEF), a Placement Officer, or there might be a designated member of staff who helps to support placements and students whilst they’re away.

• When you arrive at your place of work there may be a number of things which are unclear to you. It is natural to have that feeling of being the ‘new person’, but try not to be too anxious.
• It is a good idea to meet with your supervisor or manager when you begin your placement and set objectives for yourself, and so that you understand what they expect from you. It is also a good idea to arrange to meet regularly to review your progress and to receive feedback.
• Make sure you arrive on time. This may seem obvious, but if you’re starting a new placement in an unfamiliar facility, it is important that you are prepared.
• A little enthusiasm goes a long way. Try not to let those nerves show if you can help it. If you can throw yourself into your placement, you are likely to get a lot more out of it, recognising the boundaries of what you can and can’t do as a student (and asking if you’re not sure).
• Get to know your team and demonstrate your willingness to learn and support the team. You are on placement to develop your skills, but a positive experience with your peers is conducive to your learning, and is likely to improve your overall experience, especially on difficult days.
• Be professional –you are expected to have a professional approach to confidentiality and to keep your emotions in check.
• Be aware of your limitations; no one is expecting you to be an expert immediately. In a high risk environment, it is important that you seek help if you need it. If you are asked to perform a task, you should always be supervised by a skilled practitioner. If you have been told by someone that you can perform something unsupervised – double-check. This is a common issue on placement and so asking and checking your competency is always best.
• Reflect on your experiences regularly. We understand that placement reflections are built into your programme, but building time into your day to reflect on what you have learnt and accomplished can be an effective learning tool.

You will be required to have attended a specified number of hours on placement to qualify. As such you must;

• Know what is required- check your course handbook
• Record your hours honestly and accurately
• Report any absences in accordance with the guidance you have been given
• Make sure you tell both the placement and the University if you have to leave placement in an emergency or if you become unwell

Student Advice can help you with a range of issues while you are placement. We specialise in things like academic advice on issues such as Fitness to Practice, and concerns or worries you may have about your placement. We offer a confidential service that is independent from the University.

You don't need to be in Cardiff to use the Student Advice service. Our team advise via email so you can contact us even when you’re away.

Stay in touch with the University Student Life teams throughout your placement and during your studies to access the full range of support available to you. This includes the Student Disability Service, Counselling and Wellbeing Service, and the Student Funding and Advice Team. You can contact them at [email protected] // 029 22 518 888.

The Student Occupational Health team can help you with enrolment screening, immunisations, fitness to study, fitness to practise, tips for maintaining good health. Get in touch through email at [email protected].

You can still raise any ideas, issues or opinions about your course or placement with your Student Academic Rep. Student Academic Reps are volunteers who voice the questions, queries and concerns of their fellow students to the University.

Reps take any feedback that you might have to Student Staff Panels. Here students and University staff discuss topics that affect your education. Together they come up with action plans on how the University can improve your course and placement experience.

Whilst you are expected to adhere to the University’s procedures and regulations whilst on placement, you are not alone on placement. Student Advice is here for you and can arrange virtual appointments if needed whilst you are away.

If you are concerned about anything you see, hear, or experience on placement, you should raise it. Likewise if you are concerned about your Fitness to Practise or you believe you have made a mistake this should be reported. If you are unsure seek guidance from your Personal Tutor.

It’s important to know that you should have a point of contact within your School that is responsible for placements – sometimes called a Practice Education Facilitator (a PEF), a Placement Officer, or there might be a designated member of staff who helps to support placements and students whilst they’re away. If you don’t know who this person is, contact your Undergraduate or Postgraduate Hub.

If you feel that you need to raise an issue about your placement, it is important to do so appropriately and professionally, and using the appropriate procedures to safeguard from any potential Fitness to Practise concerns. Raising a concern in itself is not necessarily a reason for a Fitness to Practise referral, provided that you have done so in the correct way and using the correct process.

Sometimes, there might be an issue on your placement that you feel you need to make the University aware of.

Do not post any information about your placement on social media. Regardless of your privacy settings, ‘Close Friends’ or restricted access, social media is never private and is always permanent. Professional bodies will have their own guidance about use of social media on their websites, and you will be expected to adhere to these at all times whilst on placement and in academic study, so it’s important that you’re aware of these. This includes:

• Naming the placement, University, hospital or placement setting in social media posts;
• Posting patient information, no matter if this is anonymised;
• Posting information about staff members, University, hospital or placement setting or your opinions on them.

If you have an issue on placement, you can contact Student Advice to discuss this independently, impartially and confidentially.

Openness, honesty and candour are very important in healthcare settings, so it’s important that if something has happened on the ward or in clinic, or another setting, you tell someone immediately in the interest of patient safety. Raising this sooner rather than later is likely to be a much better course of action than waiting until it’s picked up or raised to you. If you are unsure seek guidance from your Personal Tutor.

If you think something has happened on placement that could lead to a Fitness to Practise referral being made, contact Student Advice. We can discuss the circumstances with you and help you decide what to do next.

The University could also initiate a Fitness to Practise investigation if they have concerns about your wellbeing. Again, you are expected to be open and honest at all times and so must immediately report any circumstances which may adversely impact your (or anyone else's) fitness to practise to your School.

It’s important that you are aware of the support that is available for you, even though you’re away on placement. Student Advice can facilitate online or telephone appointments, and we can talk through your options and the support available if needed.

Beyond this, you should be aware that whilst you are on placement, you are entitled to:

• An appropriate learning experience;
• A safe working environment;
• Be treated in accordance with applicable legislation.