Student Placement Programme
Our student Placement Programme is a collaboration between ourselves and Cardiff University’s Psychology Department.
We host 5 third year Undergraduate Students from September to June and 5 MPsych students from June to August. We offer them 30 hours a week occupational placement, invaluable accredited training and experience and they make a significant contribution to our services.
This programme has helped us address some of our challenges around recruitment. Many have been employed on a temporary basis to provide staff cover for staff annual leave and sickness. Four of our former students have secured long-term positions with us, while others have embarked on further study and careers in areas like Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, Assistant Psychology, Social Work, and others. Our students become invested in our service users and our service users in them, taking a keen interest in their future progression.
Our Student Placements
Our student Placement Programme is a collaboration between ourselves and Cardiff University’s Psychology Department.
We host 5 third year Undergraduate Students from September to June and 5 MPsych students from June to August. We offer them invaluable accredited training and experience and they make a significant contribution to our services.
This programme has helped us address some of our challenges around recruitment. Many have been employed on a temporary basis to provide staff cover for staff annual leave and sickness. 4 of our ex-students have been employed in long term roles. Our students become invested in our service users and our service users in them, taking a keen interest in their future progression.
What do our students do during placement?
Planning and Facilitating
Our placement programme roles involve assisting in the planning and resourcing of sessions, as well as initiating and facilitating various activities.
Support is provided to enable service users to engage in these activities, while also focusing on individual skill development. Additionally, working with individuals to enhance their independent living skills and help them achieve their personal goals.
Supporting our Members
Our students will learn to provide emotional and psychological support to service users while also extending assistance to their families and carers.
Maintaining up-to-date and accurate records is crucial, as is responding promptly to requests for help, information, or support from our members. In addition, they will be supervised in reviewing risk assessments and service plans, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the care and well-being of our members.
Day Centre Support
At the beginning and end of each day, our students will assist our team in the preparation and packing of resources, ensuring everything is organised, clean and ready for each session.
Students will help our staff team prepare refreshments to keep our members energised and comfortable during the day and their activities.
What do our students do during placement?
Planning and Facilitating
Our placement programme roles involve assisting in the planning and resourcing of sessions, as well as initiating and facilitating various activities.
Support is provided to enable service users to engage in these activities, while also focusing on individual skill development. Additionally, working with individuals to enhance their independent living skills and help them achieve their personal goals.
Supporting our Members
Our students will learn to provide emotional and psychological support to service users while also extending assistance to their families and carers.
Maintaining up-to-date and accurate records is crucial, as is responding promptly to requests for help, information, or support from our members. In addition, they will be supervised in reviewing risk assessments and service plans, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the care and well-being of our members.
Day Centre Support
At the beginning and end of sessions, our students will assist in the preparation and packing of resources, ensuring everything is organised and ready for each session.
Students will help our staff team prepare refreshments to keep our members energised and comfortable during the day and their activities.
Student Testimonials
Right from the beginning, I knew this was one of the places I wanted to work with, due to the sense of community. I have enjoyed every moment of it.
Neil, MPsych Student Summer 2024
I absolutely loved my placement at Headway Cardiff! It was amazing to meet and help so many incredible people and to learn so much too. It has encouraged me to want to explore neuropsychology further and hopefully work in similar fields in future employments.
Ellie, MPsych Student Summer 2024
The whole experience is brilliant. I joined this local community as an international student, as a support worker. At first this scared me, but I found the people here were all really nice and friendly, and support each other.
Yang, MPsych Student Summer 2024
Niamh, MPsych Student Summer 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Headway Cardiff and South East Wales as part of my Master’s placement. Everyday was different and I really enjoyed getting to know all of the service users. The Headway team were very supportive and kind, it was a pleasure to learn from and work alongside them!
Bethan, MPsych Student Summer 2023
It has been a really varied experience, we’ve been able to go to walking groups and shadow an assesment which was really interesting. It has been great to get some hands on experience.
Eileen, MPsych Student Summer 2024
Student Testimonials
Right from the beginning, I knew this was one of the places I wanted to work with, due to the sense of community. I have enjoyed every moment of it.
Neil, MPsych Student Summer 2024
I absolutely loved my placement at Headway Cardiff! It was amazing to meet and help so many incredible people and to learn so much too. It has encouraged me to want to explore neuropsychology further and hopefully work in similar fields in future employments.
Ellie, MPsych Student Summer 2024
The whole experience is brilliant. I joined this local community as an international student, as a support worker. At first this scared me, but I found the people here were all really nice and friendly, and support each other.
Yang, MPsych Student Summer 2024
Niamh, MPsych Student Summer 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Headway Cardiff and South East Wales as part of my Master’s placement. Everyday was different and I really enjoyed getting to know all of the service users. The Headway team were very supportive and kind, it was a pleasure to learn from and work alongside them!
Bethan, MPsych Summer 2023
It has been a really varied experience, we’ve been able to go to walking groups and shadow an assesment which was really interesting. It has been great to get some hands on experience.
Eileen, MPsych Student Summer 2024
