16  Completing Placement at Two Different Organisations

It is possible for students to overtake the requirements of the placement in two different providers. As in previous years, this will only be approved in situations where it is impossible to fulfil the 50-hour requirement in one agency (for example, when shadowing a NHS-registered physiotherapist who might not be able to guarantee 50 hours of patient contact).

We don’t encourage students to divide their placement experience over two different providers but recognise that certain placement types do not provide for sufficient appropriate experience.

If this is the case, the following process must be followed:

  1. To complete the requirements of placement, it is essential that one provider is classified as the ’primary provider. This will be the placement organisation who will complete the student assessment, which is worth 30% of your overall grade. At least 30 hours of placement must be completed at the primary provider. The amount of time completed at the other provider should total at least 20 hours but can be more at the student’s and the provider’s discretion. The total time spent on placement must be at least 50 hours.

  2. If you are in a position where one placement provider cannot provide 50 hours of appropriate experience, you should complete the online placement approval form and indicate that you will complete 30 hours of experience at the provider. You should also send an email to the Module Leader indicating the details of the other provider with whom you will complete a minimum of 20 hours. In this email, you must confirm that the primary provider is unable to guarantee a total of 50 hours appropriate placement experience and provide a rationale for splitting the placement between two providers. You should be aware that approval to complete placement in two different providers will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

  3. If approval is granted by the Module Leader, the primary provider will be asked to complete the student assessment and to be responsible for your mid-placement review.

  4. The presentation will be based primarily on the your experience at this provider but may refer to the secondary placement.

  5. A signed placement logbook must be submitted for both placement experiences. This should total at least 50 hours, and clearly indicate to which of the two providers each entry refers.

  6. You cannot begin placement at either provider until approval for both has been granted by the Module Leader, who is required to secure the appropriate health and safety consents from both agencies.

If there are further questions regarding this issue, please email the Module Leader.