Placement Agreement (including Health & Safety)

The responsibilities of the placement provider are those normally required in any working situation. Because of the emphasis on supporting learning and development and the placement is part of the student’s degree the University does not usually support probationary periods.    

Placement provider commitments  

Placement providers agree to work with university and student in a three-way collaboration to support a successful learning year.  

Working with the student  

• Negotiate the terms of the placement in advance and issue the student with a contract of employment or volunteer placement agreement. As appropriate to any employee or worker on a fixed term engagement, this would include details of disciplinary procedures which are expected to follow ACAS guidance.^† Where the student on placement is a volunteer, the terms will at least include annual leave arrangements, sick leave guidelines, working hours and working days, placement start and end dates.  

• Provide regular feedback on the student’s performance and help them to improve their employability skills and attributes.   

• Provide as many opportunities for acquiring new skills as possible.   

 Health, safety  and other legal matters  

• Hold current Employers’ and Public Liability insurance for any student whether employee or volunteer and notify their insurers of the student’s name for their records where required.  

• Comply with employers’ legal responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 and operate an Equal Opportunities Policy.^†  

• Comply with data protection laws including the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (as amended or superseded from time to time) and guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office.^†    

• Where any students will be in contact with children and/or vulnerable adults, ensure that any DBS and other necessary checks are carried out.^†    

• Provide a full induction covering all areas of the business including health and safety.   

• Have relevant Health and Safety Policy in place, carry out risk assessments as relevant and implement the control measures identified in those assessments.  

• Assess students’ competence in machinery operation where appropriate and provide training where necessary.  

• Report any workplace accidents or near misses involving the student to the University.   

• Ensure that accommodation for the student, where provided by the organisation, meets basic hygiene and environmental standards.   

 Working with the university   

• Contact the university if and as soon as any concerns develop regarding student performance or conduct, especially if the continuation of the placement may be at risk.  

• Facilitate access to the student by the Placement Tutor and other university services (including for the two reviews via MS Teams or face to face visit and for additional support as appropriate).   

• Support the three-way reviews including through the provision of an employability score for the student at the second review in discussion with student and tutor,   

• Notify the university where sickness absence on placement amounts to more than three working weeks, or where a student is absent for two days without notifying the placement provider.  

• Provide feedback to the Placement Manager at the end of the placement period on how well the University has prepared students for placement, liaised with them in organising the placement period and supported the students whilst on placement.  
    

^†Where placements are overseas, equivalent standards to UK legislation will be expected.  

By uploading placement details to Harper Adams University you accept the arrangements and responsibilities as set out above on behalf of the Placement Provider.

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