FAQs on student placements
Can I choose my student or meet them before the placement?
For some courses students are encouraged to choose where they attend placement so they will probably be in touch first to ask if you are willing to take them. Other courses with larger numbers of student will assign places. In all cases, you will get an Induction Visit from the student prior to their placement proper. We do not normally ask that placement providers pick and choose who they accept at this stage however if someone is unsuitable for any reason, a change may be possible. For Health, Social Care and Education placements you will have the option to select which course you feel most appropriate for your placement.
How long will it take before we know who we are getting as a student?
You will probably be asked to take a student a while before they are due to go out on placement so it may be some time before you are informed of who they will be. You will of course be told who you are getting before the placement starts.
What information will I get on my placement student?
You will be told their name, the course they are on and if they have any special requirements. You will also be told their day of placement, and the holidays they are not expected to work amongst other details. Working hours are negotiated between the student and placement though we suggest that placement doesn't exceed normal College hours.
How much written work will be involved for me as the placement provider?
There will be a Student Placement Agreement that you will need to sign before the placement begins. Some students will have log books and assessments to do during their time. Written input from you is kept to a minimum. The allocated supervisor would be required perhaps to read some reflective logs, and possibly write a review of progress half-way through placement and at the end.
Do placement providers get paid?
No we do not offer providers payment and we ask that students are not remunerated for their work.
Will the student have been checked with Disclosure Scotland?
All students on the health and social care and education courses undergo an Enhanced Disclosure check prior to placement. Sports and recreation students who work in schools will also have a check.
How long will the student be with us?
This depends on the course the student is doing. Some placements are a day a week for a number of months, others attend for four days in a block. Further specific details can be obtained by contacting the College.
Will we get a visit from anyone at the College during the placement?
This depends on the course the student is doing. Some lecturers that organise placements will conduct an assessment of the student at their work place. Others who may be on placement for shorter periods will not receive a visit or have an assessment during their time. However the placement organisers are always happy to answer questions by phone or email.
What do we do if the student is unsuitable or doesn't attend their placement?
We would ask that you contact the placement organiser at the College (the member of staff that looks after your student's placement).