Expectations of our students
Prior experience will vary greatly between students, hence the need for appropriate learning and development whilst on placement. For some, this may be their first exposure to a professional working environment and therefore we ask that consideration for this is given throughout the placement.

Undergraduate students may be in the second or third year of study. M-level students will normally have already studied an undergraduate degree. All students will have undertaken lectures and modules in professional practice-related studies and should be able to furnish you, if they have not already done so, with further details in their CV.

NB: It is the student’s responsibility to negotiate with the provider their actual times/weeks of work if the period of placement spans the period of the students’ University holidays or more intense periods of university assessed work.

What contribution is the student expected to make to your organisation?
• Students should be considered as a member of the team completing typical duties during a normal working week.
• They should undertake activities and projects that help the organisation.
• These will differ according to course, module and level of study and should be agreed with the student and, in turn, agreed with the University.
• The student must complete their university assignments during or post-placement. Specific requirements of assessments and the assessment brief will be known by students, and they should supply this to the placement provider as required.
• The student is expected to play a fully-fledged role in your organisation. They can only do this with your support. The student should be expected to engage in the same professional expectations as employed staff, the point of difference being that the latter are remunerated in knowledge and skills.
• Placements are designed to link theoretical aspects of their course with practical realities of working in the profession.
• We would be grateful if you could permit students as much access as possible to your organisation but realise that some issues are sensitive and access to critical information is sometimes restricted.
• The student should complete timesheets, which must be signed by the provider. They must meet regularly with their placement appointed mentor who will authenticate the work they are carrying out.

What does the employer have to do when hosting a student?

Before the Placement
• Ensure that they have interviewed or at least met the student prior to the placement and confirm that they are happy to host the student by signing a placement confirmation sheet supplied by the student. This must be sent back to sportplacements@brighton.ac.uk prior to the start of the placement.
• The university also requires a Health and Safety Form to be completed and agreement that you will adhere to the Health and Safety expectations and code of conduct.
• Completion of the Health and Safety form confirms there is a written Health and Safety policy (only required for companies with 5+ employees) and appropriate Employers’ Liability and Public Liability insurances – as required.
• Health and Safety is a joint undertaking and Placement Providers are kindly asked to work with the University in complying with all relevant legislation.
• Explain in advance where, when and who the student needs to report to on their first day.

During the Placement
• Meet with the student before or on the first day of the placement to set a job description and expectations for the placement. This is also the point at which to explore with them about suitable working times, finish dates and expected standards of behaviour. You should talk through your expectations of them, and these will be agreed by both parties.
• Agree expectations of working time, processes, absence, behaviour, dress code, responsibility, and professional standards.
• Provide students with an appropriate induction or period of observation or focused support to ‘get them going.’
• Meet regularly but briefly with the students. We are realistic about the complexities of programming meetings and feedback to students. Placements will find their own rhythm for this.
• Be proactive in your support of your students to ensure that you get the best out of them. Many of them will be apprehensive about their placements to begin with.
• Inform the University immediately of any issues, particularly any unexpected or unexplained absence. If you feel the performance of a student is persistently inadequate, you should let the University know using the contacts outlined at the top of this briefing note.
• Failure of the placement makes it extremely difficult for the student to obtain their degree.

After the Placement
• Provide the student with a detailed evaluation of their performance at the end of their placement. Please suggest areas for development and highlight the student’s strengths.