In preparing for Practice Based Learning placement learning, students must read all the information on this page

This page provides students with the key information needed to prepare for, and get the most out of, their Practice Based Learning placement. The information on this website is supported by the learning materials on Blackboard; you will find much more detailed information on there, particularly around issues such as accommodation, travel arrangements, evaluation and Practice Based Learning placement information.

Practical work experience is at the heart of this course and is delivered through Practice Based Learning placements in relevant workplaces. The Practice Based Learning circuit is extensive. We work in partnership with NHS Trusts, Local Authorities and many private, independent and voluntary sector providers to provide the required experience for our students.  Further information can be found on the Practice Based Learning Placement Providers page of this website. You will be allocated to Practice Based Learning placements appropriate for your course; this will require you to travel to your placement. Details of the process for allocating you a Practice Based Learning placement can be found on the Allocation page of this website. 

Your Practice Based Learning placement attendance, learning and practice will be an assessed part of your course. Attendance on mandatory Practice Based Learning placements is compulsory that means you must complete at least 1000 hours of Practice Based Learning placement learning.

On placement, you work with experts, professionals and service users gaining experience, and developing your knowledge and skills in occupationally based assessment and interventions for people with a wide range of health and social care needs. Your Practice Based Learning placements will cover working with people with physical and mental health issues across the whole life span in a variety of settings, including role emerging. Practice Based Learning Placements will encompass the four pillars of practice, education, leadership and research.  You will develop your confidence in using core occupational therapy skills such as activity analysis to underpin your clinical reasoning and the OT process both in traditional and emerging areas of practice, enhancing your employability on completion of the course.

During your time on Practice Based Learning placement, your experience will reflect the working times of the team you work with on Practice Based Learning placement. This may involve shift work including weekends, evenings and nights. It will be necessary to travel to or live near the Practice Based Learning placements.

Professional Requirements

• Professional requirements of students (Link to Sheffield Hallam University webpage)

Student Pre-Clinical Induction on the Occupational Therapy Course (Mandatory Training)

Before you can be cleared for placement, students must attend pre-clinical mandatory training, which will cover

• Professional induction & University Rules and Regulations
• Basic Life Support
• Infection Control
• Moving & Handling
• Fire Safety
• Information Governance
• Equality & Diversity
• Prevention of Radicalisation

Practice Based Learning Placement Planning Life Cycle

• Link to description of the College Placement Planning Life Cycle on Hallam Help pages

Student Guidance

Important - you must familiarise yourself with the following policies and guidance, held in the Policy Library/Student Guidance Policies section of this website (Link to Sheffield Hallam University webpage).

• Reporting Incidents, Accidents or Concerns
• Health and Safety
• Data Protection
• Inclusivity
• Staying Safe 
• Working Hours
• Travel
• Uniform

Induction to your Allocated Practice Based Learning Placement

As soon as you have received confirmation of your allocated Practice Based Learning placement, you must check communications including emails from your placement provider or the university's Professional Placement Team informing you of the date, time and location of your placement induction event. 

Students must attend the Practice Based Learning placement provider's induction event in order to continue on their allocated Practice Based Learning placement.  If you are unable to attend for any reason you must inform your Practice Based Learning placement provider and the university's Professional Placement Team using your university email address before the scheduled event.

Assessment of Practice Based Learning Documentation

As a student it is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with your assessment of Practice Based Learning documentation and practice learning outcomes for the placements you attend.  This will help you to plan for and document your Practice Based Learning placement learning opportunities and support your practise supervisors and assessors to provide you with feedback using the assessment of Practice Based Learning documentation appropriately.

You must document - in the Practice Based Learning Placement Hours Calculator - all hours you attend on your Practice Based Learning placement and have these verified by your practice supervisor or other registered professional you work with on your shifts.

PARE

You must familiarise yourself with PARE and ensure that you can align your allocated Practice Based Learning placements to your PARE profile.  PARE provides useful information about your placement to help you to prepare for your placement learning experience.

PARE provides you with a placement learning evaluation survey (NETS) which you must submit when you complete your placement learning experience.  Further information is provided on the Evaluation page on this website.