Choosing where to complete a student placement is about more than gaining experience. It’s about finding an environment where you are welcomed, encouraged to ask questions, trusted to get involved, and supported to grow into a confident professional.
At Eltisley Manor, we believe the best learning happens through meaningful relationships, both with experienced colleagues and with the people we support every day. Recently, Social Work student Mercy completed her placement with us, reflecting on the experience as one that strengthened both her professional knowledge and confidence.
“I felt welcomed, supported, and included”
Reflecting on her time at Eltisley Manor, Mercy described an environment where learning was encouraged from day one.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone at Eltisley Manor for making my placement such a positive and valuable learning experience.
From the beginning, I felt welcomed, supported, and included as part of the team. Staff were approachable, knowledgeable, and always willing to share their experience and expertise.“
Throughout her placement, Mercy experienced the breadth of modern social work within a specialist nursing residential setting, developing her understanding across a wide range of areas.
“I was given a wide range of learning opportunities that helped me develop my understanding of mental health, dementia, learning disabilities, autism, safeguarding, risk management, person-centred care, and multidisciplinary working.“
Rather than observing from the sidelines, Mercy became actively involved in day-to-day life at Eltisley Manor, helping to build meaningful relationships with residents while developing the practical skills that will support her future career.
“I particularly appreciated the opportunity to spend time with residents, build meaningful relationships, and learn from their experiences. This has helped me grow in confidence and develop my communication, assessment, advocacy, and reflective practice skills.“
Learning alongside experienced professionals
One of the strengths of placements at Eltisley Manor is the opportunity to work alongside an experienced multidisciplinary team, gaining first-hand insight into collaborative care and decision-making.
Mercy highlighted the encouragement she received throughout her placement.
“I am especially grateful to my On-Site Supervisor, Craig, Nursing Co-ordinator, Zoro, and special mention to Eugen, nurses, healthcare assistants, maintenance team and administrative staff for their guidance, patience, and encouragement throughout my placement.“
She also valued being involved in the wider aspects of care that are essential to supporting residents.
“Their willingness to involve me in care planning, reviews, ward rounds, multidisciplinary meetings, and day-to-day practice greatly enhanced my learning.“
For students considering a career in health or social care, opportunities like these provide invaluable experience of how different professional roles work together to deliver safe, effective and person-centred support.
The value of relationship-based practice
Mercy leaves Eltisley Manor with more than clinical knowledge. Her placement reinforced the importance of compassion, dignity and genuine human connection.
“The placement has strengthened my understanding of relationship-based and person-centred social work practice and has reinforced the importance of dignity, respect, compassion, teamwork, and promoting the wellbeing of service users.“
She concludes with a message that reflects the lasting impression the placement made.
“Thank you for supporting me throughout my learning journey. I will always look back on my time at Eltisley Manor with gratitude and appreciation, and I wish the residents and staff all the very best for the future.“
A placement that makes a difference to residents too
Placements are not only valuable learning experiences for students. They can also have a meaningful impact on the people living at Eltisley Manor.
Mercy’s on-site supervisor, Craig, reflected on the difference her regular interactions made to residents throughout her placement.
“One observation I made during my wellbeing checks and care plan reviews was that several residents, including DP, mentioned they would like to see you more often.“
He continued:
“What stood out to me was the positive impact your visits have on the residents. Whenever you spend time with them, they genuinely seem pleased to see you and appear more reassured and settled. For example, I noticed this with residents such as V, O and MW, who seemed to value the opportunity to speak with you.“
Craig also reflected on an important lesson that extends far beyond student placements.
“Throughout my placement, I also found that many residents appreciated regular conversations and wellbeing checks. Often, they simply wanted someone to listen or had small concerns they wished to share. This reinforced for me how important relationship-based practice is in promoting residents’ emotional wellbeing.“
While recognising the demands placed on care professionals, he highlighted the lasting value of meaningful interaction.
“I also recognise that staff have significant responsibilities, including completing documentation on Nourish. While these tasks are essential, they can sometimes reduce the amount of time available for meaningful conversations with residents. From my observations, even short, regular interactions can make a noticeable difference to how valued, reassured, and supported residents feel.“
Looking for a placement where you’ll be supported to grow?
At Eltisley Manor, we are proud to support the next generation of health and social care professionals by providing placements that combine practical experience with genuine mentorship.
Students are welcomed as part of the team, encouraged to learn across disciplines, and given opportunities to build meaningful relationships with residents while developing the confidence, knowledge and skills needed for their future careers.
If you’re a university, college or student looking for a placement that offers real experience in a supportive, person-centred environment, we’d love to hear from you – Contact Us.