HSC Students Reap The Rewards of Work Placements

Learning is never limited to the classroom walls, and never has that statement been more applicable than in Health and Social Care. While academic teaching makes up the backbone of our Level 3 qualification, the students’ work placement experiences bring the career to life.

Supported by Karyn Jones, our full time placement officer, the students spend one day per week in real care settings with real clients. The placements can be in a number of care-giving fields but can also be focused around their future career paths.

Head of Health and Social Care, Andrew Walton, said: “It’s clear that the students make a significant contribution to the everyday lives of the clients and staff when they’re on placement. This fills them with confidence and pride, as well as developing practical skills alongside the academic, which makes them very appealing prospects for both universities and employers.”

The students themselves also feel the benefits of having a supportive structure in which they can experience the working life in a career in care.

Second year, Lara O’Dowd, explained: “We’re given all the information we need before we start, including the hours we’re working and the type of jobs we’ll be doing while we’re there. It feels a lot more comfortable to know what you’ve got in front of you before you arrive at the placement. Karyn makes sure you’re prepared. You’re not left alone with the clients at any point so you’re supported when you’re at the placement too.”

Lara, who has been on placements at a day nursery, a residential home, a probation centre and a mental health facility, found that she can already notice the difference in her personal development: “I’m far better at speaking to people now. This time a year ago, I wouldn’t have been comfortable even talking in a group or volunteering to do anything. My people skills have come on leaps and bounds. I don’t feel afraid of asking questions anymore.”

Fellow second year, Sasha Rainford, agreed, saying: “I want to go into adult nursing and dealing with people with dementia has helped me with communication a lot. The placements have allowed me to learn how to adapt and think on my feet. It’s made me feel far more prepared for what I want to do in the future. The one day per week on placement here works perfectly as it’s built into your academic learning.”

Kim Butler discovered the career she aims to go into after finishing at the Sixth Form College while on work placement.

Kim said: “When I first started, I had no confidence whatsoever and no real direction of where I wanted to go. The first placement I had was in Eastham Centre and right from the start of that it just instilled new confidence in me and opened my eyes to everything that these centres offer, and how much I’d like to go into that field.

She added: “I chose to come to the Sixth Form College because people aren’t judgemental. The teachers and support staff will help you through anything that you have difficulty with and push you to achieve things that you didn’t think you could.”

Former Sixth Form College student, Kelsey McKevitt, who is now studying to be a learning disability nurse at Chester University, is coming in to talk to current students about what’s involved with nursing in her chosen field on Monday 8^th February.