Work experience

We offer a number of NHS work experience and pre-employment programmes to support both young people and adults that aspire to have a career (both clinical and non-clinical) within mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity settings.

NHS work experience placements are an excellent opportunity for you to gain an insight into professions within the health and care sector. They can support your career choices, personal development, and help build your knowledge and skill sets.

All work experience and work placements are subject to availability and participants will be required to undergo pre-placement checks dependant on the type, duration and location of the offer.

Contact with people using our services

Contact with people using our services and carers is always overseen by the supervisor who is responsible for ensuring the learner has the appropriate level of competence to carry out any clinical practice which is given under their direct or indirect supervision. In addition to a local induction other training and recruitment checks are required for these placements.

Priority for placements

When demand for work experience outstrips placement capacity, priority will be given to those who may fall into one or more of these underrepresented groups, such as; 16-24 not in education, employment, or training (NEET), Armed forces leavers, care experienced young people and carers.

Our pre-employment programmes aim to improve access to health and social care careers, attracting and developing a diverse workforce, which is representative of the communities we serve.

Individual work experience and professional discussions

We currently offer ad hoc NHS work experience to individuals that are 18 years of age and over, subject to availability. Examples might include shadowing a healthcare support worker, pharmacist, occupational therapy assistant and non-clinical roles such as administration, catering or cleaning. Placements can vary from half a day to four weeks.

Medical

We may be able to offer ad hoc NHS work experience to those individuals considering a career in a medical role. This is observation only and is available for ½ day to up to four weeks.

Psychology

Working in collaboration with higher education institutions, we are currently delivering the required core placements for students to meet curriculum attainment. We are currently only able to prioritise a very limited number of longer-term placements (6-12 months) due to capacity within our teams. We are therefore unable to offer opportunities for shorter placements at this time.

College industry placements

We particularly welcome students enrolled on T levels and technical qualifications in health and social care courses. Subject to availability and sector interest, we are able to host an industry placement in a variety of settings across Devon.

Areas where we are particularly keen to support students in are the Health T Level (for students with an interest in careers in mental health and learning disabilities) and management and administration. Your local college will be able to provide further Information.

NHS England work experience quality standard

We're proud to have achieved the NHS England's work experience quality gold standard award.

Contact us

For more information and to request an application form email dpt.careershub@nhs.net