Students on all undergraduate criminology courses at Staffordshire University can opt to undertake a placement (sandwich) year; a structured work experience opportunity which enables students to develop and implement both their knowledge of criminological and criminal justice expertise and general transferable skills whilst getting a flavour of a professional working environment. The purpose of this module is to assess the placement period that students have undertaken within a workplace environment related to applied criminology or criminal justice. The placement activity and the assessment associated with this module will provide students with the opportunity to reflect upon the: (i) practical experience of working within, and for, an organisation; (ii) application of knowledge about crime, harm, victims and criminal justice procedures and understanding within a workplace environment; (iii) development of appropriate professional behaviour, interpersonal and communication skills for a workplace environment; and (iv) development of their career management skills. This experience is designed to integrate with and complement the academic studies that students undertake as part of their criminology degree.

1. A 3000-word placement activity log this contains a log of your activity in the workplace (a minimum of 9 entries one entry per month) that has been signed monthly by the Workplace Supervisor and, an assessment by the Workplace Supervisor of your performance on placement (does not contribute to the word count) (Learning Outcomes 1 -3). Weighted 50%

2. A 3000-word reflective report. This report will focus on your learning experiences during the placement, how you have applied your criminological and criminal justice knowledge and skills within the workplace, and how this has contributed to your continuing professional development whilst also evaluating your future development needs (Learning Outcome 1 - 4). Weighted 50%

Placements take place between levels 5 and 6 of our undergraduate degrees and last for a period of 9 months (from September to June) with students working at least three days per week (normally a minimum of 720 placement hours). The Placement Year is an assessed, pass/fail, year that is added to the existing programme of study.

Throughout your placement period students will be supervised by a Workplace Supervisor (usually their line manager) within the employing organisation, and they will maintain contact with the University through a Placement Supervisor (these will be appointed at the start of the first semester and will normally conduct a first visit around Christmas). The Placement Supervisor will establish contact via telephone, e-mail or video conference. Students will normally receive three visits from their Placement Supervisor during their placement year. These visits will usually be conducted remotely but can be in person if deemed necessary by the supervisor or the line manager in the workplace.

Academic staff are responsible for briefing students prior to the placement, monitoring the placement and debriefing the student after it. They are also responsible for marking assessment work in respect of the placement. Whilst the staff of the placement provider are responsible for day-to-day supervision, students on placement will be visited (remotely OR in person) by academic staff and regular communication will take place to assess student progress. University staff will also be available to respond to problems of a more urgent nature which may arise between visits and meetings.

1. Evaluate the appropriateness of the different approaches that can used to manage sector related problems within a workplace environment and propose appropriate responses to issues identified during the placement.
Analysis
Problem Solving

2. Communicate with co-workers and service users using verbal, electronic and non-verbal skills to a range of audiences within a within a workplace context.
Communication

3. Apply knowledge and understanding of criminological theories, concepts and response strategies within a variety of workplace contexts whilst on placement.
Application

4. Exercise increased personal responsibility and decision making to undertake self-directed study, to reflect on personal development in the workplace and evaluate how transferable skills and abilities have developed whilst on placement and relate to future learning and employability.
Reflection

Employers' resources as appropriate, University resources as required.

Placement resources provided by the School and the University Careers Service.

Brown, C. (2005) Working in the Voluntary Sector: 4th edition: How to Find Rewarding and Fulfilling Work in Charities and Voluntary Organisations. Trowbridge: The Cromwell Press

Buck, G. (2020) Peer Mentoring in Criminal Justice (International Series on Desistance and Rehabilitation) Oxon: Routledge.

Jones, P. (2012) Interventions in Criminal Justice: A Textbook for Working in the Criminal Justice System. Pavilion Publishing and Media Ltd

Ragonese, E. et al. (2014) The Routledge Guide to Working in Criminal Justice: Employability skills and careers in the Criminal Justice sector. Oxon: Routledge

Wills, D. and Wills, A (2020) A Practical Guide to Working with Sex Offenders. London: Jessica Kingsley Publications.

This module offers the opportunity to experience the professional world of work in a public, voluntary or community organisation or a registered charity. Particular attention is paid to an appreciation of the ethical, practical, technical, and financial (resource) issues involved in working with and for these sectors in the audit-driven culture of the twenty-first century. Students will typically be working with professional staff in the support of clients who experience some form of social disadvantage and require support and/or may be working in a profession related to their prospective career. Students may wish to seek a placement with the probation service or a charity supporting people who have been released from prison or a local service supporting people with drug or alcohol mis-use problems. Alternatively, students might be required to contribute towards or conduct a small-scale research/evaluation project for the organisation or profession. Students are supported in choosing their placement, supported to secure that placement, and then they are supported throughout that placement.