Student Placement Policy

Student Placement Policy

Rationale and Objective(s)

1.1. The policy will ensure that:
there is appropriate consistency and Quality Assurance in the management and administration of placements across the University;
placements achieve their educational outcomes;
reasonable steps are taken to ensure that the health and safety of students are not jeopardised by activities undertaken during placement;
reasonable steps are taken to ensure that the University is not rendered liable for any conduct by either a student or placement supervisor during an external placement; and
reasonable accommodations are made for students with disabilities.

2. Definitions and Acronyms

In the context of this policy:
Course Coordinator means the member of the University’s academic staff designated by the Head of School as responsible for planning and coordinating the delivery of a Course and for ensuring its appropriate assessment, in consultation with the Program Convenor and with the Head of School, who has the final responsibility. The Course Coordinator may also be the/a placement supervisor;
misconduct means unacceptable behaviour that includes but is not limited to conduct that:
engages in unlawful or criminal activity on the premises of the placement agency; o r
disrupts, interferes with, or is detrimental to the conduct of the agency; or
obstructs any officer or employee of the placement agency in the performance of their duties; or
damages or wrongfully deals with any property on a location where a student is present under the auspices of the University; or
disobeys, without reasonable cause, any instruction of an officer of the University or the placement agency, including the failure to leave any building or part of a building when directed to do so; or
refuses, withholds, or fails to identify oneself truthfully or furnishes false personal information to any officer of the placement agency; or
disobeys or fails, without reasonable cause, to observe any policy, procedure, or regulation of the placement agency; or
assaults or threatens a person, or causes others to fear for their personal safety; or
breaches confidentiality or privacy requirements or obligations in respect of the placement agency, its staff, or other relevant parties.
placement means a clinical placement, practicum, internship and any other like form of professional, industrial or vocational experience included in a course or required for a program;
placement supervisor means a member of the University’s academic staff responsible for the supervision and assessment of students undertaking placements included in a course;
placement agency means any agency or body which provides placements for students of the University;
placement agency supervisor means a member of staff of a placement agency who is responsible for supervising and/or contributing to the assessment of students on placement;
Pro Vice-Chancellor means the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty which offers the placement .
unprofessional conduct means behaviour that is not characteristic of or befitting the profession; it includes but is not limited to conduct that:
is unethical,;
departs from the standards set by the profession;
uses language that is unacceptable in the presence of co-workers; supervisors of clients; or
demonstrates a lack of respect or sensitivity to clients.

3. Scope

3.1. This policy relates to all clinical, professional, industrial or other placements that form part of a course or program coordinated by the University1 and for which
students will be assessed; and/or
a grade is awarded; and/or
completion is required for an award of the University.

4. Provisions

4.1. Placement supervisors, placement agency supervisors and students will be provided with appropriate preparation for undertaking placement which will include information regarding their role and responsibilities before, during and after the placement (refer the Guidelines attached to this policy).

4.2. Documentation for each placement will provide a clear statement regarding:
the procedures for allocation of placements;
criteria for determining eligibility to undertake placement if any, for example, completion of required courses or program schedule requirements;
the completion by students of any additional requirements, for example, vaccinations, first aid certificate, essential criteria or course requisites;
the provision by students of any required documentation, for example, Criminal Record Check, Prohibited Employment Declaration or health checks;
procedures for students with disabilities seeking to negotiate adjustments (refer Procedures attached to this policy);
the roles and responsibilities of placement supervisors, placement agency supervisors and students before, during and after the placement;
how the placement fits into the learning objectives of the course and program;
whether the placement is required to comply with relevant professional accreditation;
the specific learning objectives of the placement;
how the placement is to be assessed including the means by which assessment will measure the achievement of the learning objectives;
requirements for complying with privacy legislation within the agency in which the placement is to be undertaken;
procedures for dealing with absences, conflict or other difficulties encountered during the placement, including breakdown of the placement due to student performance and /or other unforeseen circumstances (refer Procedures attached to this policy);
an indication of the cost involved in the placement and clear advice that the cost must be borne by the student; and
the date determined by the Head of School and advised in the Course Outline after which a student may not withdraw from a course containing a placement without academic penalty other than in exceptional circumstances and with approval from the Head of School.

4.3. All students undertaking a placement will be supervised by a professional in the field preferably with at least two years professional experience, or a designated individual supervisor of equivalent clinical/professional/industrial experience.

4.4. All students undertaking a placement will be in regular communication with agency and/or University supervisors.

4.5. All students undertaking a placement will be provided with feedback during the placement regarding their progress towards the learning objectives of the placement.

4.6. Placement agencies and placement agency supervisors will be provided with the necessary information, training and support to enable them to fulfil their role and responsibilities to the satisfaction of the University, the placement agency and students

.
4.7. Placement agencies, placement agency supervisors, placement supervisors and students will be advised of their responsibilities under Anti Discrimination, OH&S and Privacy legislation and the University’s risk assessment policy.