Suggested reading and library facilities

To learn about our library facilities and how to access them see our library services page.

Students may use their personal Athens passwords at the library to access relevant databases. 

Reading and Internet resources

We have compiled a recommended reading and Internet resources list for students to help them to prepare for placements. Please discuss with your educator which pre-placement reading they would advise. 

What you can expect from us

We have a responsibility to ensure that the graduating workforce is equipped to practise in changing and dynamic environments.  We will ensure that we have the necessary resources to enable you to develop competence in your professionalism, knowledge and skills.

The Trust employs a part-time placement co-ordinator who has overall responsibility for the development of occupational therapy practice learning opportunities across the organisation and supporting students and PPEs during placements. 

Contact details:

Jane Smith 07976-218718

OT Central Office Newton Building Springfield Hospital 61 Glenburnie Road London SW17 7DJ

Before you start your Placement

For all placements we use university practice placement handbooks to make sure that we are aware of our responsibilities and the requirements for your placement. Practice placement educators (PPE) are also expected to attend University pre-placement briefings or access this information on-line.

We will give you a placement profile for the clinical location you have been allocated to and if possible arrange a pre-placement visit.  We will also organise access to Trust IM&T systems, e-learning and libraries.  We will inform you of the process to obtain your Trust ID badge, Smartcard and accommodation (if relevant)

During your placement

Learning Contracts

We will:

• Negotiate learning contracts with you.
• Work collaboratively with you to achieve placement outcomes

Supervision & Support

We will:

• Ensure that staff are available during working hours for direct & indirect supervision
• Provide one hour of formal supervision per week by a named PPE
• Empower you to progress from observing practice to independent practice.
• Use adult learning methods and be aware of different learning styles
• Be aware of the support systems available when supervising exceptional or failing students or those with special needs.
• Make you aware of the academic and pastoral support available whilst on placement.
• Assess and manage risks.
• Inform the university if we have concerns that you are failing a placement.

Disclosed disabilities

We will:

• Make reasonable adjustments for you if you have a disclosed disability
• Encourage you to disclose a suspected disability. If you do not disclose you will continue to be assessed on your competencies.

Health and Safety

We will:

• Make you aware of health & safety policies

Learning opportunities

We will:

• Enable you to experience the Occupational Therapy process with a range of people with different health and social care needs.
• Ensure that opportunities exist for you to experience inter-professional team working and education.
• Allow time each week for independent study.

Assessment and Evaluation

We will:

• Use valid, reliable and fair assessment.
• Record learning outcomes in the practice placement report
• Demonstrate that you are being assessed within the context of client-centred, inter-professional and inter-agency service delivery.
• Ask you to complete a placement evaluation

What we expect from you

Before your Placement

Once the University inform you of your placement you are expected to email your PPE at least one week prior to the start date in order to introduce yourself and make arrangements to do a pre-placement visit. You can also ask any questions which will help you prepare for your placement experience. It would be useful for you to provide a summary of your learning to-date for your practice placement educator.

Please follow any instructions that your PPE gives you e.g. provide Smartcard number as this helps us save time by completing processes before you arrive.

Also, you might find it helpful to start thinking about your particular learning objectives prior to starting the placement. 

During your Placement

You are expected to present yourself in a professional manner at all times whilst on placement, abide by the Trust values, policies and procedures and act in accordance with the RCOT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for Occupational Therapists.

Your hours of work will be dependent on service requirements and students are expected to comply with the normal hours of work for your placement setting.

Communication

You will:

• Acknowledge that service users have a choice about whether they wish to engage with you and you must seek their permission prior to assessments/interventions
• Inform your PPE and/or the member of a staff in charge of their clinical area of work immediately in the event of any critical/unusual incident occurring during a client treatment session either to the client or to them.
• Ensure that a qualified health practitioner countersigns all the entries that you make in client’s case notes.
• Report any incidents of verbal, racist or sexual abuse or violence towards its service users or staff, contractors or visitors to their PPE
• Maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Make sure that on leaving the placement any outstanding issues regarding patient care are handed over to the practice placement educator and documentation is up-to-date.

Learning contract

You will:

• Negotiate an individual learning contract and weekly objectives with your PPE
• Not accept responsibility for tasks that are above and beyond your capabilities or alternatively avoid taking responsibility commensurate with your level of training.
• Identify, develop and use learning opportunities to achieve placement outcomes.

Supervision and Support

You will:

• Actively participate in a minimum of one hour of formal supervision with the named PPE per week
• Be willing to discuss both your strengths and weaknesses so that there is a planned approach to learning and supervision
• Be aware of the academic and pastoral support available whilst on placement.

Assessment and Evaluation

You will:

• Carry out self-appraisal and critical reflection on a regular basis in preparation for both formal assessment and supervision sessions.
• Complete the Trust evaluation questionnaire at the end of the placement.

Health and Safety

 You will:

• Adhere to your university procedures regarding absences due to sickness and contact the placement at the earliest opportunity and NO LATER THAN the normal start time on the first day of sickness.
• Alert their PPE to any health issue, which may impinge on client care.
• Read and adhere to the Trust's health and safety policies and make yourselves aware of and follow the control measures of any risk assessment prepared.
• Adhere to the Trust’s Smoke Free policy
• Adhere to the Trust’s dress code.

Accommodation

You will:

• Be responsible for booking your own accommodation (see student accommodation)

Disclosed disabilities

You will:

• Not be obliged to disclose a disability, however if you choose this option you will be assessed without the benefit of additional support.
• Be encouraged to initially disclose a disability to their University in order to receive any pre-placement support. You can however disclose a disability whilst on placement.
• Be required to provide information about how your disability affects you on a daily basis and to identify what 'reasonable adjustments' are required to make the placement accessible.
• Be encouraged to visit your placement before starting to openly discuss your needs and what adjustments they would find helpful.

Other

You will:

• Never accept a gift, favour or hospitality from a service user, carer or relative currently receiving care.
• Not use your mobile phone during work hours except in exceptional circumstances e.g. as a safety measure