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    Build tomorrow's workforce, starting today

    Hosting a student placement isn't just a kind thing to do, it's one of the smartest investments you can make in your team, your reputation, and the future of care in Bury.

    Get in Touch Download Resources

    What Is a Student Placement?

    A student placement gives young people, or those exploring a career change, the chance to experience care in a real working environment. Students typically join you as part of a college course, T Level qualification, or apprenticeship programme, spending structured, supervised time alongside your team.

    They're not extra staff. They're learners. But when done well, placements are one of the most effective ways to introduce motivated, values-driven people to your service before they've even qualified.

    • Placements typically last a few days to several weeks, depending on the qualification
      • Students are supervised at all times by a named mentor from your team
        • Learning outcomes are agreed in advance with the education provider
          • Students do not perform personal care tasks without appropriate training and supervision
            • You stay in control of what students can and cannot do throughout
              student placement sat talking to elderly resident in care home

              Why Offer Placements?

              Placements aren't just good for students, they're good for your service.

              What's involved in hosting a Placement? 

              1. Appoint a Placement Lead - One person from your team coordinates with the education provider and acts as the student's main point of contact throughout their time with you.
                1. Agree Learning Outcomes - Work with the college or training provider to understand what the student needs to achieve, then plan a timetable of activities around their goals. We can help with this.
                  1. Carry Out a Full Induction on Day 1 - Cover safeguarding, health and safety, confidentiality, and introduce the student to your team and service. We have a ready-to-use checklist template to make this easy.
                    1. Provide Structured Learning Throughout - Students should shadow before they do. Your mentor provides regular check-ins, constructive feedback, and a safe space to ask questions. Celebrate progress as it happens.
                      1. End with a Review - Provide final written feedback and ask the student to share theirs too. Identify whether there's a natural next step — bank work, volunteering, or a future role with your organisation.

                        Resources to Help You Get Started

                        We've put together everything you need to offer a confident, high-quality placement experience. Download, adapt, and use them freely.

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                          Offering & Running Student Placements — Provider Guide

                          A practical overview of everything involved in hosting a placement, from preparation through to sign-off.

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                          Student Placement Handbook

                          Share this with students on or before Day 1. It covers their role, what's expected of them, safeguarding responsibilities, and what to do if they have concerns.

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                          Student Placement Induction Checklist (Template)

                          A ready-to-use, editable checklist to make sure every student's first day covers all the essentials, including sign-off for both mentor and student.

                        Real providers. Real stories.

                        Honest reflections. From people already doing this in Bury.

                        Testimonials

                        We were nervous about whether a student would slow the team down. It was completely the opposite. Our mentor came on leaps and bounds, the student loved being here, and they applied for a bank position with us before they'd even finished their course.
                        — Bill Billson, Care Home 1
                        We took on a T Level student for six weeks. The college provided the structure, we just had to get them involved in the day-to-day. It was far easier than we expected, and we'd do it again in a heartbeat

                        FAQ

                        Your questions answered. 

                        • Do we need special insurance to host a student?

                          Most care providers are already covered for student placements under their existing public liability insurance, but it's worth checking with your insurer to confirm. Education providers also typically carry their own student placement insurance. We can advise on what to look for.

                        • What if a student isn't performing as expected?

                          Your placement lead should raise any concerns with the education provider as early as possible. Students can be removed from placement if necessary, but in most cases an early conversation with the college resolves things before they escalate. You are never left to manage this alone.

                        • Can students carry out personal care tasks?

                          Only where it's appropriate for their learning level, they've received the relevant training, and they're being actively supervised. For most placements — particularly early-stage ones, students should be observing and assisting rather than leading.

                        • How long does a placement typically last?

                          Placement lengths vary by qualification. A school work experience block might be one or two weeks. T Level industry placements are typically 45+ days spread across the programme. We'll advise on what's right for your service and capacity.

                        • What support does Bury Care Academy provide?

                          We connect providers with local education partners, supply all the resources and templates you need, and support you through your first placement from start to finish. Whether you've never hosted a student before or want to build a more structured programme, we're here to help.

                        • Is there any cost involved?

                          No. Hosting a student placement is free. You provide the time, the mentoring, and the environment, Bury Care Academy provides the framework and the support.

                        Ready to Get Involved?

                        Whether you've hosted students before or you're thinking about it for the first time, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch and we'll help you get started, at whatever pace works for your service.

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