Becoming a placement provider

York St John University offers support throughout placements. Questions are encouraged so that we can manage expectations.

There are several stages to becoming a student placement provider:

• Provider expresses an interest to the University (please email professionalpractice@yorksj.ac.uk)
• University staff contact potential provider to start planning and outlining requirements
• Partnership agreement is sent to provider for signature
• University staff complete placement audit
• Educator, supervisor, and assessor training opportunities for staff
• Students are placed with the service
• Students evaluate their experience using systems at the University

You can contact our Placement team to express your interest in hosting health students (please email professionalpractice@yorksj.ac.uk). Please provide the following helpful information when you get in touch:

• Your service, address and named contact
• Your location and transport links
• How many and what type of students you could host. For example, nursing, occupational therapy, paramedic science or physiotherapy.

Partnership agreement

Your organisation will need to sign a partnership agreement. This is a contract between the University and the placement provider and ensures the placement is suitable, with the relevant insurance cover, policies and procedures.

Placement audit

The following information is required and must be accessible by students: 

• Site, including address, and phone number
• Placement profile and type of experience
• Client group and care provision
• Accessibility information
• Learning opportunities
• Any shift patterns

The university uses a system to record placement audits. All placements are required to undergo an audit. These can last approximately 45 to 60 minutes with a member of university staff and a registered manager.

The audit specifically requires information about:

• The learning environment and culture, including policies, procedures, induction
• Educational governance and leadership, including student support, raising concerns
• Processes for supporting learners and educators
• Developing a sustainable workforce
• Any action plans

Suitably trained staff

All students will require support from an appropriately trained member of staff. Please contact the University to discuss this as there are differing requirements for each of our health courses.

Educator and supervisor training is available at the University. You may hear the role referred to as: clinical educator, practice educator, practice assessor, or practice supervisor.

The university will ensure you have access to the right support and training to enable your organisation to host students.

Students will benefit from the support, experience and teaching from all staff in the placement. You may have to prepare your staff and acknowledge expectations, and provide a conducive learning environment. Staff should be encouraged to:

• Appreciate different learning styles and possible needs
• Provide constructive and supportive feedback to aid ongoing professional development
• Enable students to raise any concerns with relevant staff
• Make students aware of emergency contact details
• Prepare students for off-site or home visits, including any travel arrangements

You can refer to the NHS England Safe Learning Environments Charter, which has been designed to support positive safety cultures and facilitate student learning.