This module will develop student’s personal and professional skills in the context of a placement setting. Students will be supported in developing, auditing, and reflecting on their skill development that will be vital on their journey to the world of work and in becoming a reflective practitioner. Students will attend taught sessions and must undertake a 50-hour (minimum) scheduled placement.

1. Completion of minimum of 50 hours of relevant work experience for a company or organisation (0%, minimum 50 hours).
Students will be required to log a minimum of 50 hours (over two terms) engaged in relevant paid, unpaid or voluntary placement activities. This must be evidenced by submission of a log of activity signed by the workplace supervisor and the Placement Activity Log form. The placement will commonly take place within a formal work setting that works with vulnerable people but may also include the completion of commissioned clinical research (e.g., delivering therapy in a lab setting). Examples of placement providers may be charity organisations (e.g., food banks, hospices, charities working with victims of alcohol and drug use, victims of sexual abuse or violence, homelessness etc), SEN schools. mental health organisations and social care organisations. Students will be required to secure their placement but will have access to support for this, including access to organisations that the department has existing relationships with. All placements must be approved to ensure appropriate policies and procedures are in place and adhered to (e.g., requirement for DBS checks, health and safety). The placement does not contribute to the overall grade point but must be completed to successfully pass the module (Learning Outcome 3).

2. Reflective written assessment (100%, 3000 words)
Students will be required to write a reflective assessment, using an established framework, to systematically analyse the skills developed in relation to professional psychology. Students will be required to demonstrate how they applied their learning from the previous modules, in their placement. Content should be underpinned by appropriate psychological theory on reflection and appropriate clinical psychology theory and evidence (Learning Outcomes 1, 2).

Formative feedback will be provided in support sessions and students will have the opportunity to discuss their assessment plans with staff.

The module begins with a series of content-based interactive workshops focussing on different aspects of applied psychology. Students will complete a minimum of 50 hours of placement learning and will be required to attend supervision tutorials in which they can reflect on their experience. There will be a workshop towards the end of the module where students share their experiences.

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding and awareness of reflective practice and its application to clinical psychology.
Reflection, Learning.

2. Understand, critically assess and reflect on the personal and professional skills used and developed in the placement setting.
Reflection, Analysis, Application.

3. Critically analyse and apply clinical psychological theories and models in a relevant placement setting. Knowledge and Understanding, Application.

Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment. Web-based databases to review current relevant literature in electronic database format. Internet access. Library. Resource rooms and supervision space. Identification of suitable placements.
Provision for completion of DBS checks.

Davey, G. (2014). Psychopathology: Research, assessment and treatment in clinical psychology (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Midwinter, D. and Whatmore, T. (2011). Positive Placements: Making the Most of Your Educational Placement. Continuum International Publishing Group: London.

Moon, J.A. (2004). Reflection in Learning and Professional Development: Theory and Practice. Routledge Falmer: Oxford.

Students must be registered on the MSc Foundations of Clinical Psychology.
Students must gain a satisfactory DBS check if the placement is in a community setting.

This module will help you draw together the skills and knowledge you have gathered so far on the course and develop them further by applying them in a placement setting. It is designed to give practical work experience of working with vulnerable people and experience of working with other professional and will enhance your CV for application to jobs in the mental health sector or in preparation for clinical doctoral training. You will be required to engage in a (minimum) 50 hour placement and then produce a reflective piece of work that demonstrates how you have applied your knowledge and how you have developed professional skills.