Practice Education

We are aware that students are required to travel extensively to their clinical placements, which may result in significant demands both in terms of time and financial commitment.  The implementation of a Fair and Equitable Placement Allocation Model has been designed by examining the anticipated placement locations which students attend and ensuring an equal distribution to avoid excessive travelling burdens for any individual.  By providing this information transparently, we aim to support students’ decisions on accommodation locations which are influenced by placement locations.

This allocation model has been designed to provide a reasonable approach to managing expectations of both students and placement providers when arranging placement allocations.  Whilst every attempt will be made to adhere to this approach, it is based upon the predictability of student placement allocation which is constrained by South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) Practice Educator operational availability.  This may result in adaptation of a student’s placement allocation pattern.  Whilst the Programme Team and SCAS will attempt to minimise such occurrences should they occur; any such changes would be communicated to affected students within an appropriate timeframe.

To provide an overview of student experience, during your three years of study you’ll undertake one each (in any order) of a short, medium, and long distance pattern of placement allocation .  Reflecting Faculty placement allocation principals student journeys have been calculated from the University Site at Marston Road.  The Paramedic Programme Fair and Equitable Policy can be viewed on the Practice Education Unit.

In addition to SCAS placements across the programme, you will undertake clinical placement in a range of alternative settings, these opportunities are sought from NHS and other placement providers within the three countries of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire.  After starting their course, a student would not normally be able to change their allocated pattern.  We appreciate there may be a change in a student’s circumstances and there is a process to consider requests for a change.  The decision-making process considering change requests will be dependent upon variations in service provision availability, education requirements and professional considerations.

An application to change placement allocation pattern must be accompanied by supporting evidence and will only be considered in the circumstances identified below:

• The presence of extenuating circumstances reported by a student.

and/or

• Mutual exchange of placement pattern through a peer swap.

It should be noted that the Faculty has agreed principles which will be adhered to when considering student applications for a change to their placement allocation pattern.  Personal preference and financial hardship are not considered valid reasons to request a change and will not be upheld.  The Practice Education Team will discuss this allocation model in more detail upon your arrival, including providing deadlines for change requests which provide plenty of time to submit one.