Dietetics and clinical nutrition placement partnership

Page last updated:
11 Mar 2024

Meet our team

  • Linsey King

    Linsey King

    Course Director, Leeds Beckett University
  • Claire Gardiner

    Claire Gardiner

    Placement Co-ordinator, Leeds Beckett University
  • Ruth Boocock

    Ruth Boocock

    Course Leader, Teeside University
  • Lisa Edwards

    Lisa Edwards

    Placement Co-ordinator, Leeds Beckett University
  • Kim Hyde

    Kim Hyde

    Placement Co-ordinator, Newcastle University
  • Joanne Black

    Joanne Black

    Programme Director, University of Hull

Helpful resources and guidance

All videos/tools/training are shared by the partnership, but providers also need to liaise with the corresponding HEI regarding any specific placements requirements. Please use the links and information on this page to enable you to engage with the placement partnership.

Practice placement competencies overview This session should be viewed by all practice placement staff.

Observed and measurable behaviours

Assessment tools and portfolio compilation overview

Observation Tool

Reflection Tool

Weekly Review Tool

Group Working Tool

Individual Consultation Tool

SIP Tool Default

SIP Tool Default YouTube thumbnail

Formal Review of Placement Tool

Leeds Beckett University placements

Newcastle University placements

Teeside University placements

A placement - University of Hull

Practice Supervisory Skills Course

The North East and Yorkshire Dietetic Placement Partnership (NEY DPP) provide two practice supervisory skills training opportunities. Please use the information below to select the appropriate course for you.

The session is delivered virtually using Blackboard Collaborate, a web conferencing tool. You will receive a link to this session once your place on the course has been confirmed. As far as we understand, there are no known NHS restrictions on the use of this platform, however we are aware that some people may have difficulties with joining from some Trusts. The link will be open the day before the session so you can check connectivity. If you are unable to join you may decide it is better to use a personal ‘hotspot’ or attend the session from home if possible. 

This is the PSSC aimed at staff who are new to student training.  You may be a new graduate, dietetics assistant, or otherwise someone who is new to supporting dietetic students in the placement environment.  This 3-hour session, delivered online and hosted by 2 facilitators from the NEY DPP, provides the new student trainer with: 

  • support on how to create a good learning experience for the student, 
  • considering student learning styles
  • how to give effective feedback
  • supporting struggling students or students with health or learning needs

Pre session work:  Prior to attending the session, participants will be required to familiarise themselves with the placement paperwork.  There are a series videos above which explain all of the assessment tools and resources.  Participants should also complete the case studies above to apply their learning. There will be opportunity in the session to answer any questions in relation to the learning competencies or paperwork.

New starter session dates can be booked by clicking on your preferred date below:

Evaluation forms: Following the session please click here to provide feedback about the course. We always welcome your thoughts. Only once this has been completed will your certificate be emailed to you.


 

This is the advanced PSSC, aimed at staff currently involved in student training in any capacity. 
This 3-hour session, delivered online and hosted by 2 facilitators from the NEY DPP, provides the established student trainer with:
refresher discussion topics – participant led
updates to the current teaching curriculum relevant to practice placement, 
contextualisation of the model and process the use of placement paperwork within the model and process of care as well as review and 
discuss alternative placement models and structures, including role emerging placements. 

There will be time set aside at the start of the session to answer any of your questions about the placement paperwork and learning competencies as well as share your own experience of student training throughout the session. 

Pre-session work: Prior to attending the session, participants will be required to familiarise themselves with the placement paperwork if they have not already done so. There are a series videos above which explain all of the assessment tools and resources. Participants should also complete the case studies above to apply their learning. There will be opportunity in the session to answer any questions in relation to the learning competencies or paperwork should this be required.

In addition, participants will be required to complete a reflective online exercise, as an individual, to identify refresher discussion topics for the first half of the training session.

Advanced session dates can be booked by clicking on your preferred date below:

Evaluation forms: Following the session please click here to provide feedback about the course. We always welcome your thoughts. Only once this has been completed will your certificate be emailed to you. 


 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)  

A.

Leeds Beckett University has been using the 9 Learning Outcomes model and tools for several years and it was time to review these. Feedback from trainers and students has been that whilst useful, at times the paperwork could be challenging to fill in and more clarity was needed around the wording. Teesside launched their programme using a 6-domain competency based framework in 2019. With Newcastle starting a new programme in 2020, it made practical sense to work collaboratively across the region to pool the best of our training models and documentation so that as well as an overall review, things were standardised for trainers as much as possible regardless of which University students were studying at.

A.

No. There is a shortage of Dietitians and so if anything, we still need more practice placements. The new documentation should help to reduce the burden of paperwork for staff, but numbers of placements still needs to be maintained and increased to support the demand.

A.

No, these remain as follows according to each HEI

  • Leeds Beckett University - 3 weeks for A placement, 13 weeks for B placement and 12 weeks
    for C placement
  • Newcastle University - stage 2 placement 1week, Stage 3 placement 12 weeks and stage 4
    placement 12 weeks
  • Teesside University - 75 hours (2 days weekly over 5 weeks) Practice Placement Experience
    (Placement A), 13 weeks for Dietetic Practice Placement 1 (Placement B), 13 weeks for
    Dietetic Practice Placement 2 (Placement C)
  • University of Hull - 3 weeks for A placement, 12 weeks for B placement and 12 weeks for C placement
A.

No, practice placement learning opportunities, timetables, supervision and feedback should remain the same as they always have been. 

A.

We have identified the new tools below and where they may be used

  Novice Placement A  Novice Placement B
 Novice Placement C
 Observation tool  x  x  x
Reflective tool  x  x  x
Weekly progress tool    x  x
Group working tool    x  x
Individual consultation tool for Placement B tool    x  
Individual consultation tool for Placement C tool      x
Half way and review of Placement B tool    x  
Half way and review of Placement C tool      x

All tools along with the competency framework will be stored on the shared webpage hosted by Leeds Beckett University. You will not be required to create any other assessment tools.

A.

Each student will move through the placement experience differently. We have provided you with a table that guides you on the minimum number we may expect to see of each tool, please see the practice placement tools guide under the practice learning competency framework.

A.

As each student is individual, the key aspect of the placement provision and assessment is about safe and consistent practice. The tools provided will assist the learner and practice educator to evidence and ratify competency.

A ‘Know, Can, Do Model’ is being adopted alongside the observed or measurable behaviours and actions listed for each competency within the new regional framework to guide your decision making and assessment of learner competency.

The Leeds Beckett University Progress toward learning outcomes document has been archived.

A.

Leeds Beckett University - We have made some changes to what were the RAA, RAB and RAC forms to reduce the length of these but still allow the students to reflect on their learning needs for placements. Student preparation for placement remains the same with full briefing days and sessions to look at all the tools and become familiar with them. For students who require additional support on placement, you will still receive an additional letter a few weeks before they start placement.

Newcastle University - Prior to Practice Placement A, students will be required to supply their Lead Practice Educator with some information about themselves, using the standard ‘Pre-Placement A’ form provided for this purpose. In line with GDPR guidelines, each student, personally, will send their pre-placement
information to the Lead Practice Educator electronically for further dissemination. However, the finalised document will have been agreed with the placement
co-ordinator at the University prior to submission. The student will copy the University tutor into their Pre-Placement Form submission email.

The pre-placement information provided will include: 

  • Short (2 page) Curriculum Vitae created by the student using a template provided to them
  • Confirmation of food hygiene certificate
  • Confirmation of BDA membership (or other indemnity insurance arrangements)
  • Short (1 page) reflective review focusing on knowledge, skills and the attributes relating to: 
    • Nutrition / dietetic professional knowledge required prior to the placement
    • Teamwork and communication
    • Time management and organisation
  • Other general information e.g. learning style, nutrition analysis software, experience, access to a car, accommodation plans and details of location
  • Where required, a separate description of any requested 'reasonable adjustments' for consideration by the Lead Practice Educator

Teesside University - Our learners will continue to reflect prior to each practice based learning point using their learning agreement and SWOC analysis tools.

University of Hull - Learners attend briefing sessions focused on preparation for placement prior to commencing each stage of their practice-based learning. Placement providers are provided with the name and email addresses of allocated learners alongside any identified requests for reasonable adjustments or additional support whilst in placement.

  

A.

Leeds Beckett University

For the first Novice placement it remains that this cannot be failed. However, as previously, please flag any issues with students to your Practice Liaison Lecturer (PLL). 

For Advanced Beginner (B) placement:

Number of learning competencies not achieved Additional training options
 1  Can carry over to C placement
 2-3  4-6 weeks of additional placement required
 4-6  13 weeks of additional placement required
 6-7  Not able to repeat B placement
A.

No more than 500 additional hours can be undertaken in line with the BDA curriculum framework.

Adjustments were made to placement hours based on meeting learning competency during COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst this was appropriate at the time it was steered by HEE and flexibility was given by HCPC and BDA.

As it currently stands the requirement is a minimum of 1000 hours of practice placement training.

 
A.

Leeds Beckett University

Students should notify trainers and the University of any absence. If progress towards the learning competencies is acceptable then up to 5 days of placement can be missed taking the minimum number of weeks for Advanced beginner to 12 and for Competent to 11 weeks. Any longer periods of absence will be reviewed by the University.

Newcastle University

Students must normally complete a minimum of 1000 hours on practice placement over the duration of their studies. This is achieved through the successful completion of placements A1 and A2 (observational and experiential visits & campus-based activities) and placement A3 (1 week dietetic placement); placement B (12 weeks/450 hours); and placement C (12 weeks/450 hours).

To satisfy this requirement students are expected to work the full-time hours of a dietitian (normally Monday-Friday 9-5pm, or 8.30–4.30pm). Public holidays will be granted in line with departmental policy. Study leave or half days will not be given. The student must attend practice placements in line with the service requirements of the practice educator and, where working hours fall out with the normal hours of work, the practice educator should provide appropriate notice.

Absence

Any absence from placement may impact on a student’s ability to fulfil the required 1000 hours of practice-based education. In view of this, it should be noted that due to the short duration of the practice placements, coupled with continued service delivery demands within the NHS (which impinge on the ability to facilitate additional placement days), absences other than those on the grounds of sickness will not normally be sanctioned. Students who have concerns with regards to absence on grounds other than sickness must discuss these with their university tutor in the first instance and must not approach their Practice Educator.

Where absences due to sickness do occur, these will normally be dealt with as follows: 

Period of absence during Placement B  Relevant action
Loss of up to 5 placement days No action needs to be taken if the Practice Educator and university tutor considers that there is no detrimental effect on
the student’s progress, i.e. they have demonstrated competence in all of the competencies for that placement. If this is not the case the lost time must be made up. 
Loss of more than 5 placement days The student must complete a minimum of 11 weeks; any lost time must be made up to 11 weeks. No action needs to be taken beyond this if the practice educator considers that there is no detrimental effect on student’s progress, i.e. they have demonstrated competence in all the competencies. If this is not the case the rest of the lost time should be made up. 
Prolonged period of absence from placement If the student requires a prolonged period of absence from their placement, the period of training required will be determined in consultation with the Practice Educator and university Tutor.

Notification of absences

Students should follow local NHS policy regarding the notification of any absences to Practice Educators and provide medical certification where relevant.

The Practice Educator should notify the University Tutor of any absences as a matter of course and record this on the end of placement form.

Teesside University

Students should notify practice educators and the university of any absence. If progress towards competencies is acceptable then up to 5 days of placement can be missed. Any longer periods of absence will be reviewed by the relevant university. 

University of Hull

Absences other than those on the grounds of sickness will not normally be granted due to the short duration of placements and the requirement to make up 1000 hours of practice learning over the duration of the learners studies.

If the learner is making good progress towards achieving the competencies for that placement then up to 5 days of absence may be facilitated with no action required. If the learner is not progressing as expected, the time lost will need to be made up following discussion with the University tutor, the Lead Practice Educator and the Learner.

Any longer periods of absence will need to be reviewed by the University.

A.

No changes are planned to these.

Leeds Beckett University have PLL links to support the students on placement and can only see their own students in the placement setting.

Newcastle University provide a named placement co-ordinator, and a single email address for communication (dietetics@newcastle.ac.uk) to support both practice educators and the learners at the placement site. Students will be visited midway through placements B and C, with additional visits scheduled as required.

Teesside University provide a named Link Academic Tutor to support both practice educators and the learners at the placement site.

Any queries or concerns regarding the student should be directed to the relevant higher education institution.

A Practice Supervisory Skills Course (PSSC) will be run collaboratively by the HEI’s for the North East and Yorkshire regions. Course details, learning materials and an online booking system will be available on the shared platform site hosted by Leeds Beckett University.

University of Hull provide Academic Link Tutors to support both practice educators and the learners whilst on placement. Students will be visited midway through B And C placements. Any queries from either practice educators or learners themselves can be sent to the centralised email address dietetics@hull.ac.uk

Practice Supervisory Skills Training for practice educators will be provided jointly by the HEI’s that make up the North East and Yorkshire Dietetic Placement Partnership with training links available on this website.

At the end of each placement, learners are encouraged to complete the National Education and Training Survey (NETS) via their PARE account. Placement audits will be completed every 2 years using the proforma built into PARE.

 
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