Student's passion 'reignited' through placement

Work-based learning experiences are an integral component of the BSc (Hons) Health & Social Care here at Bishop Grosseteste University. We have developed a range of partnerships within the sector including Lincolnshire County Council Children’s Health, Children’s Social Care, Charity Organisations Every-one, Black Barn Farm and LINKAGE, all of whom provide valuable placements as well as connect with students during classroom-based sessions.

Every undergraduate student undertakes three compulsory annual placements over the course of their three years giving them a minimum of 180 hours of learning in practice. Students are encouraged to reflect on their experiences whilst in placement and form a fundamental part of their learning when back in the classroom and through assignments. Reflection and discussion supports students to expound their knowledge, consider their and others values, and develop their practice skills in their journey to becoming healthcare practitioners.

Our latest collaboration is with the Lincolnshire’s Neighbourhood Team:

• ‘Neighbourhood working’ provides a collaborative approach to the delivery of local services. This includes involvement from health, social care, voluntary organisations, and charities.

• Their ethos is centred around working together to find solutions to health and wellbeing challenges. Our role is to put patients on the right radars or coordinate when multiple services are involved and not working together.

As this was a new work-based learning opportunity we asked Health & Social Care BGU student Amy to share her thoughts around this opportunity:

“I was initially anxious about going to placement, I have not worked in this area for some time and knew there would be a considerable amount of learning. I can honestly say it was the best experience, I started the placement with an open mind and committed myself to get involved with any aspects of work suggested to me

I quickly realised how vital the neighbourhood team are in improving the lives of service users within the social care sector, I was able to shadow, ask questions, understand their responsibilities, and appreciate how far reaching their services can be.

I was treated with respect, honesty and welcomed, I was put in situations that allowed me to explore my own views and absorb new concepts.

Most importantly this placement has reignited my passion for undertaking this degree; manging time, assignments and lectures can at times become the only focus, where my original goal was to undertake a degree that enabled me to work within the health and social sector supporting service users and this experience has placed this back in the forefront of my drive and determination to continue and succeed.” Amy Annis, 2^nd Year BSc (Hons) Health & Social Care Student.

When asked about the benefits of having a student, the Neighbourhood team representative Nicola Stimson replied:

“It has been a pleasure to be able to have students out with us as a team. To be able to show the diversity of our role and to be able to show the student all the different opportunities of community roles and what jobs are about / services they could work in.

We also enjoy being able to show what Neighbourhood Teams is about and how working collaboratively, we can put that patient at the centre of what matters to them."