Mental Health Student Placements
For Nursing, social work, Occupational Therapy and Psychology students
Nursing, Social work and Occupational therapy student placements are currently accepted at Nouvita Healthcare, where we currently have learning agreements with Hertfordshire University, Essex University, and Anglia Ruskin University.
We also offer Preceptorship for newly qualified nurses (where vacancies allow).
When you join, you will go through our full staff induction, which all employees who join Nouvita go through, which will set you up for success in having a solid foundation understanding of key aspects of Nouvita, including policies and procedures, systems, who’s who, expectations and much more.
You will also be assigned a mentor, who will be your go-to person throughout your placement to answer questions, provide support and advice, and ensure you are getting the most from your time with us, learning and growing, and gaining hands-on experience while remaining safe.
Nouvita Services
Nouvita care services include Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, split across Acute, Nursing, Residential, Supported Living, Day Centres and Therapy services.
Our Care Pathway provides support for people through their recovery journey, allowing step-down or up to provide continuity and consistency of care within Nouvita, supporting stability and limiting disruption which can otherwise occur.
Nursing, Social Worker and Occupational Therapy student placements are available at Baldock Manor hospital, Eltisley Manor care home and Howe Dell Manor care home. Psychology student placements are also available at Baldock Manor hospital.
Have a read through our Locations page and take some time to read up on our services to learn more about the care provided and patient group at each site.
"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.“
– Mercy, Social Work student at Eltisley Manor
What is covered on your student placement
As well as your assigned mentor guiding and supporting you, during your time as a student on placement with Nouvita you will be supporting the Nurse in Charge with all daily duties (based on competency level and all under the supervision of the Nurse in Charge), which includes:
- Clinic room management
- Administration of medication, including depot injections
- Compliance monitoring
- Side effects monitoring
- Taking accurate physical health observations
- Attending meetings/appointments – GP rounds, CPA meetings, Mental health reviews, hospital appointments, medication reviews
- Support with hospital admissions- preparing information, contacting professionals.
- Completion of mental capacity assessments
- Competition of person-centered care plans and thorough risk assessments
- Building a therapeutic relationship with residents through a person-centered approach
- Completion of one-to-one sessions and review of goals and outcomes
- Accurate and thorough documentation
- Supporting with interventions such as moving and handling, wound care, personal care, diabetes support, appointments, activities and everyday living skills
- Raising concerns such as incidents and health a safety alerts.
- Regular meetings with their mentor to monitor progress and development.
For Social Work and Occupational Therapy (OT) students, this can include projects around promoting safety and independence in different areas, such as:
- Falls and mobility
- Community integration
- Activities
- Health and safety
- Environment
Useful information
Parking is available at every Nouvita site, should you have a car and drive. Alternatively, public transport should get you near to most of our sites relatively easily. Please check your travel route and journey time ahead of starting to ensure you arrive on time and are confident in being able to get to your destination.
Staff rooms are available, where you can store personal items, and facilities are available for you to prepare refreshments and take breaks.
Onsite training is provided, which will vary depending on your profession, topics suitability and availability.
You will be issued student log ins during induction for you to be able to access all necessary electronic systems.
Useful links for students on placement
Here are some useful links which provide information to help you get the most out of your student placement. It’s important that you come prepared and ready, so we encourage you to read through these before your placement starts.
> How to make the most of student nurse placements in social care settings
> Membership for students | Royal College of Nursing
> Standards for student supervision and assessment – The Nursing and Midwifery Council
Student Placement Dress Code
When attending the workplace, students on placement should be dressed in a style of ‘office casual’ in order to reflect the professional nature of your role.
You will be provided with and encouraged to wear a Nouvita-branded Polo shirt when on shift, however students are welcome to wear their university uniform/polo shirts and overall should be dressed according to the values of the company, Health and Safety regulations, Moving and Handling regulations and job role. Your Nouvita-issued ID badge must be worn at all times.
This includes wearing only flat shoes (no high heels, open backed or open toe shoes, as these are impractical and pose a health and safety risk. This includes crocs).
Low cut or mid drift baring clothes are permitted, and you should wear clothes that allow you to be bare below the elbow for infection control purposes. Long hair is to be tied back for infection control and safety.
Not-acceptable clothing/standards:
- Track suits are not appropriate unless completing PMVA training
- Tight clothes or anything that could be perceived to be provocative
- Clothing with large labels, slogans or print
- Excessively baggy/ripped jeans, shorts or hoodies
- Hats or baseball caps, except as prescribed by religious culture
- Coats are not to be worn indoors
- Remove all visible piercings except for a single set of earrings (or one single earring) for safety reasons
- Limit rings to their wedding/engagement rings for infection control and safety
- No nail polish/gels/acrylic nails for infection control and safety
Choose Nouvita for your Student Placement
Whether you are studying at Hertfordshire University, Essex University, or Anglia Ruskin University, or another university in the UK, if you want your student placement to be at Nouvita, you can request it. Simply speak to your tutor and explain where you would like to go and why. This doesn’t guarantee the outcome, but ads weight to the decision-making process.
Read what other student’s have said about their experience on placement at Nouvita – Read student articles on our blog