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 a Mental Health and Learning Disability setting.

NHS work experience placements provide 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 some undergo pre-placement checks dependant on the type, duration and location of the offer. 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 is required for these 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 NEET, Armed Service Leavers, Care Experienced young people, Carers. Please contact us for further information.

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.

For an application form please email dpt.careershub@nhs.net

We're proud to have achieved the NHS England’s Work Experience Quality Gold Standard Award from Health Education England (HEE).

Individual Ad Hoc 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 Health Care Support Worker, Pharmacist, Occupational Therapy Assistant and non-clinical roles such as administration, Catering, Cleaning. Placements can vary from ½ a day to four weeks.

Medical – We may be able to offer adhoc 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 4 weeks.

Psychology - We are currently delivering the required core placements for students to meet curriculum attainment, working in collaboration with higher education providers. In addition, at this time we are only able to prioritise 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

T Levels

Subject to availability and sector Interest, we are able host an Industry placements in a variety of settings across Devon. Areas we are particularly keen to support are students in are the Health T level (for students with an interest in careers in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities) and Management and Administration.

T Levels are new Level 3 programmes of study designed to follow GCSEs and will be equivalent to three A Levels. As well as academic study, T Levels encompass a substantial period of work experience. T Levels are currently only funded for 16-19-year-old learners.

On completion of the T Level study programme, students will be able to choose between moving into a skilled occupation or further study, for example, a higher or degree level apprenticeship, or higher level technical study, including higher education.

For more information visit T Levels | The Next Level Qualification

Technical Qualifications in Health and Social Care

BTEC Health and social care is a pathway to enter nursing and allied health professions, education and social work. The course involves a range of topics, work related projects and placements, which will prepare you for your future career. Contact your local college for further information.

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Supporting you at every step

We know that working in a team and having the right support available is important to providing the best quality care for people using our services, as well as being important for your own health and wellbeing. Our mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services cover the whole of Devon with opportunities in our community and inpatient settings.

Local information

Famous for

Exeter has the narrowest street in the world – Parliament Street. It’s very narrow, with its narrowest point at only 0.64 metres! In 1836 residents paid to have the street widened – the council have yet to do it.

Areas of interest

Devon is home to the Donkey Sanctuary near Sidmouth in East Devon. It’s free to visit the many donkeys living here and there’s a restaurant on site and donkey themed gift shop – making it a great day out.

Beaches

Devon has many wonderful beaches, whether that's the rugged coast of North Devon, famous for surfing, or its more gentle east and south coast where paddle boarding and kite surfing, amongst other activities are extremely popular.