Student placements
The University encourages a risk based approach to student placements, in line with the standards issued by the Universities and College Employers Association (UCEA).
Schools and Departments responsible for facilitating student placements are advised to consult the Student Placement Health and Safety Code of Practice for detailed guidance.
The information below serves as an overview of the basic requirements that staff should be satisfied are in place when arranging and preparing students to embark on placement activities.
For clarity, a placement is defined as a period of paid or unpaid work or academic experience where;
- the placement is undertaken as an integral part of the student's course;
- the student is enrolled at the University during this period;
- there is transfer of direct supervision of the student to a third party.
The guidance relating to student placements, as set out in the accompanying Code of Practice, sets out reasonably practicable actions to;
- ensure the University fulfils its statutory and common law duties of care towards its students undertaking placements and;
- assist in making students sufficiently informed to enable them to question their placement providers in respect of health and safety and to be a component part of the health and safety monitoring process.
Overseas placements
Arrangements for UK based and overseas placements are broadly similar however there are different versions of the documentation to be used in each case (shown below). When arranging overseas placements there may be queries raised about the equivalent standards of risk assessment documentation and insurance cover. It is advised that staff implement the below process as soon as practically possibly once placement providers have been confirmed, to identify any potential issues that may require further specialist advice and to ensure the placement can be completed with minimal risk.
Documentation
This documentation is designed to assist with the above risk management process, please use and adapt these templates as required.
- Work Placement Provider Agreement
- Work Placement Provider Agreement (Overseas Placement)
- Student Placement Risk Management Action Plan form
- Student Placement Risk Profile Guide
- Student Briefing Guide for UK, EU and International Placements
- Confirmation of Student Briefing template
- Placement Policy Flowchart
For all health and safety queries relating to student placements, the Health and Safety Advisor should be contacted:
T: 0151 291 3835.
For any insurance related queries relating to student placements, the Procurement Manager (via insurance@hope.ac.uk) should be contacted in the first instance.
T: 0151 291 3157/0151 291 3203