Assessment of Placement Practice
Placement is a continuous assessment with periodic reviews and an end of placement report. Student self-assessment, supervisor/mentor feedback and group supervision inform the staff team of the student’s development and readiness for practice as a qualified art therapist. Where 'placement supervisor' is referred to, it should be understood as including the 'mentor' where applicable.
Placement Supervision
Placement supervisors/mentors will be informed of student progress through their provision of regular weekly/fortnightly placement supervision and working knowledge of how the student is doing on the placement. Students are required to keep a daily attendance log (DOCX, 158.5KB) and include a record of their supervision sessions within this.
Interim Review
Formative assessment for learning is in the form of a focussed interim review which the art therapy trainee is required to complete at 25, 50 and 75 days of placement. Trainees learn that the capacity to self-assess is a requirement of their profession; it is critical they reflect and examine their own learning and levels of understanding.
Upon completion of the Interim Placement Review Form (DOCX, 383.4KB) the trainee is required to take it to a review session with their placement supervisor/mentor for discussion and comment. The student is then required to submit their interim review form along with their daily attendance log (DOCX, 158.5KB) to the course Academic Advisor.
Placement Visit
A placement visit is facilitated by the student’s Academic Advisor and takes place following the student’s submission of their first placement interim review (25 days into placement). The meeting is attended by the student, their placement supervisor/mentor and academic advisor. Space is given to reflect on student learning and to build upon placement goals. The Placement Visit Form (DOCX, 64.2KB) is used by the Academic Advisor to record the key points discussed during the visit.
The above processes allow for any concerns to be addressed early in the placement. Please arrange to speak with the placement link tutor.
If a student is not progressing in practice as expected, guidance on the process that will be followed can be found towards the end of this page. If additional support is required on placement the Interim Placement Review Form (DOCX, 383.4KB) should be used in consultation with your Academic Adviser.
Supervisor's/Mentor's Report
The End of Placement Report (DOCX, 156.5KB) is completed by the placement supervisor/mentor, shared with the trainee for comment and submitted to their academic advisor at the end of their placement. This, along with the interim reviews, placement visit and group supervisor feedback, inform the course team whether the student is ready for practice as a qualified professional art psychotherapist.
Group Supervision
The Placement module and Supervision module on the MA Art Psychotherapy Practice course are interrelated, with attendance and contribution to the supervision group also informing the course team of the student’s professional development. The Reflective Supervision Journal and illustrated Reflective Report provide the opportunity to assess students’ progress on placement including their art therapy practice with service users. Students will be provided with information about the the Journal and Reflective Report via the Supervision Module "BlackBoard" site.
Process for Managing a Student who is not Progressing, including Refer and Failure of Placement Attempt
Please find guidance below on the process that will be followed if a student is not progressing in practice as expected:
