SPORT PORTFOLIO GUIDANCE (E1) FOR PLACEMENT PROVIDERS 2009-2010 OFFERING A WORK PLACEMENT

SPORT PORTFOLIO GUIDANCE (E1) FOR PLACEMENT PROVIDERS 2009-2010 OFFERING A WORK PLACEMENT

THANK YOU!! Firstly, thank you. If you are reading this document then it is likely that you have already had contact with us and are considering offering a work placement to a Sheffield Hallam University sport student. We would like to thank you for that. This guidance has been prepared to answer any initial questions that you may have about our student work placements. Once a placement (or placements) has been agreed in principle you will receive more detailed information before you need to make a final decision. It is our intention to set up a website. This can be accessed athttp://www3.shu.ac.uk/hwb/placements/sport/index.html. The website will contain copies of this guidance, copies of relevant University policies and other information about placements. This should be your first port of call if you require any further information. If you cannot find what you want on the website or have any additional questions or require further information, please contact Val Stevenson, the Sport Portfolio Employability Coordinator, on v.stevenson@shu.ac.uk or 0114 225 5914 or your contact at the University.

1. GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPORTS COURSES AT SHU WHY DO WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO GO ON PLACEMENT? Sheffield Hallam University has had an enviable reputation for many years for offering a wide range of sport related degree courses, as well as providing sports research and consultancy services. Traditionally there has been a strong emphasis on applying theory to practice and on ensuring that the education received by SHU students is vocationally relevant. In 2008 the University reviewed all 10 of its sport related undergraduate degrees. As part of this process, and to further improve the employability of its graduates, it was decided to include, in each sports course, a six week work placement for every student towards the end of their second year. As a result, starting from 2010, the University now needs to source around 450 six week work placements each spring (between February and May). WHICH COURSES DO WE OFFER? We currently offer 10 undergraduate sports courses. These courses are B.Sc. (Hons) Physical Activity, Health and Exercise Science B. Sc. (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science B.Sc. (Hons) Sport Science for Performance Coaching B.Sc. (Hons) Physical Education and Youth Sport B. Sc. (Hons) Sport Coaching B. Sc. (Hons) Sport Development with Coaching B. Sc. (Hons) Sport Business Management B.Sc. (Hons) Sport Event Management B.A. (Hons) Sport, Culture and Society B.A. (Hons) Sport and Community Development WHAT DO THESE STUDENTS STUDY? Obviously course content is different for each of the ten courses on offer. Brief descriptions of each course are given below. B. Sc. (Honours) Sport Business Management (SBM) This course integrates key business management theories, concepts and principles with the evolving sport business environment. Students are encouraged to challenge existing management theories and practice and to critically analyse sport business problems, which develops their creativity and ability to find solutions. In year one students gain a background expertise and knowledge about the sport industry and its markets. They develop business management skills and a specialist understanding of the industry. In addition, they are equipped with employability skills such as making presentations, teamwork and time management. In their second year, students learn to understand the research process and to develop market research and data analysis skills. They also gain management accounting skills to support financial decision making. The course builds enterprise and management knowledge enabling students to understand workplace planning and decision making. B.Sc. (Honours) Sport Development with Coaching (PESDC) This course provides a broad, multidisciplinary study of sport development and coaching. Students learn how to plan and deliver sport to different groups and communities in the UK, while examining all levels of sport development, from foundation to excellence. Students are encouraged to take national governing body coaching awards and assist in voluntary work in the local community.

B. Sc. (Honours) Sport Event Management (SEM) This course combines theory, policy and sport event practice. Students are encouraged to analyse, prioritise and evaluate information. This develops creativity and the ability to find and develop new event opportunities. In year one, students learn about the sport and event industry and its markets. They study core management subjects such as marketing, finance and planning. They also gain skills in presenting, working in groups and time management. During their second year, learning focuses on providing students with the knowledge and understanding to deliver events. The sport event and fundraising module then tests their ability to organise and manage their own event. B. Sc. (Honours) Physical Education and Youth Sport (PESDC) This course provides a broad, multidisciplinary study of physical education and youth sport. It is for those considering a career as a physical education (PE) teacher, or in the wider area of youth sport provision and development. Students can go on to achieve full qualified teacher status by taking a fourth year after the course to gain a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE). Students develop a knowledge and understanding of the National Curriculum in PE, GCSE PE, post-16 examination courses in PE and related subjects, including A level PE and sport studies, the wider context of youth sport, in and outside schools, the roles of PE teachers, sport development officers and coaches in youth sport. B.Sc. (Honours) Sport Coaching (PESDC) This course develops the skills to become an effective coach. Students are provided you with a broad study of the art and science of coaching allowing them to gain confidence and ability in the design, delivery and evaluation of sport coaching. During the course students learn about the coaching process, coaching practice, science applied to coaching, coaching research and the strategic, political and sociological context of sport coaching in the UK. Students are encouraged to develop coaching skills through voluntary coaching outside of the course. B.Sc. (Honours) Sport Science for Performance Coaching (SES) This course develops students' understanding of how to use scientific methods to examine the coaching process and how they can develop and maintain the performance of elite athletes. Students are provided with a broad study of the sport and coaching sciences, giving a specialist knowledge and practical expertise in the areas of applied physiology, nutrition, biomechanics, performance analysis and psychology. During the course, students explore sport science theories and concepts and develop laboratory skills in physiology, psychology and biomechanics. They also examine how these science disciplines can be used to improve the performance of coaches and athletes. B.Sc. (Honours) Physical Activity, Health and Exercise Science (SES) This course develops a knowledge and understanding of how scientific methods are used to examine physical activity and exercise. Students explore how important physical activity and exercise are for a healthy lifestyle. The main subjects studied are exercise physiology, psychology and nutrition. Students develop analytical skills and personal qualities so they can produce programmes for individuals and groups in various settings, including the workplace (such as corporate wellness schemes), the community (such as GP referral and cardiac rehabilitation) and corporate settings such as sport and health clubs. In year one students explore the key theories and concepts. This ranges from an introduction to functional anatomy and biomechanics, to physiology modules which teach laboratory skills in taking health and physical activity-related measures of lung function, heart rate and stress. In the second year students link these concepts and skills to working with sport and exercise clients through lectures, seminars and laboratory sessions.

B.Sc. (Honours) Sport and Exercise Science (SES) This course provides a broad, multidisciplinary study of sport and exercise science. Students develop the analytical skills and personal qualities expected of a science graduate alongside specialist knowledge and expertise in sport and exercise. They develop a knowledge and understanding of how scientific methods can be used to examine sport and exercise. Students study exercise physiology, sport psychology, sport nutrition, functional anatomy and sport biomechanics. In years two and three students can specialise in areas of interest. These include motor control, sport nutrition, health-related fitness and notational analysis of sport performance. B.A. (Honours) Sport and Community Development (AC) This course provides students with the knowledge, skills and expertise to assess community interventions set by the government after major developments in theory, policy and practice. The course encourages students to examine community policies and the role they play in making sport more inclusive to people from all social backgrounds. In their first year students develop knowledge of the key concepts and theories around sport and the community. They gain the skills to work in various community settings including local authorities, schools and the voluntary sector. They also study individuals, groups and social institutions, diversity and equality and social and cultural change in sport. The second year looks at how public policy is developed through sport. Students learn about community approaches to engagement through sport and how policy delivery is managed in community settings. B.A. (Honours) Sport, Culture and Society (AC) This course is for students interested in developing an understanding of the sense of excitement and drama that surrounds sport. Students have an interest in sport, sociology, politics, psychology, cultural studies and the media. In year one students study individuals, groups and social institutions, diversity and equality and the process of social and cultural change in sport. In their second year students study football and society, sociology applied to sport, culture and society and sport and the media WHAT ARE THE DATES OF THE PLACEMENTS? These courses are divided into three Subject Groups. Each Subject group operates separately so there are inevitably some operational differences. The exact placement dates and student numbers differ from Subject Group to Subject Group. SES - Sport and Exercise Science 1st March - 23rd April 2010 (Any six weeks from these eight weeks) PESDC - P.E., Sport Development and Coaching 12th April - 21st May 2010 SBM - Sports Business Management 1st March - 7th May (A six week placement within this period, dependant on the individual student's other module choices) SEM - Sports Event Management 12th April - 21st May 2010 AC - Sport and Culture 22nd February - 15th April 2010 (Any six weeks from these eight weeks)

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED? WHAT DO I DO NOW? Primarily the 450 students each year are encouraged to source their own individual placement. The Sport Department has, however, undertaken to source a number of placements with local and partner organisations. Students will then apply. Hopefully, your organisation will be one of these Placement Providers. The University will work with Placement Providers to identify work placements within their organisation Placement Providers will then provide a brief Job/Placement Description and Person Specification for the agreed roles. (The relevant templates are attached as appendices to this document). These will be advertised exclusively to SHU sports students, via a dedicated website. The students will apply for these placements and undergo a selection process. This method should ensure that you, as Placement Provider, get the best student for the job! WHO WILL WRITE THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION? The Placement Provider will do this. Writing individual JDs and Person Specifications will allow Placement Providers to outline precisely the qualifications, skills and competencies that the student will need in order to carry out the placement. If a particular qualification is required, it can be specified here. For Placement Providers outside of Sheffield and South Yorkshire it is important to state the geographical location of the placement! As part of student learning, this process needs to be as close as possible to a real life application process. WHEN DO I SUBMIT THESE JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND PERSON SPECS? AND WHO TO? These can be submitted to your point of contact at the University at any time between 28 th September 2009 and 27 th November 2009. The information will then be posted on a student website. The deadline for applications will be two weeks after the information is posted. WHO WILL BE MY POINT OF CONTACT, TO HELP ME? Your point of contact will be the member of SHU staff who initially contacted you. WHO MANAGE THE SELECTION PROCESS? Placement Providers can manage this process and see all the applications for their posts themselves, or the University can, if required, manage this process for you. This will be agreed with your point of contact.

2. BENEFITS WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR MY ORGANISATION? The placement can bring a number of short and longer-term benefits. It can allow short-term objectives to be met, projects to be completed and may even alleviate staffing problems. The student could return the following year, as part of their final year of study, to undertake project work. The time on placement could be used as a means of identifying students suitable for employment on graduation of their taught course. The student may provide additional expertise in specific areas which are useful to your organisation. The placement year provides organisations with the opportunity of developing closer links with the University which may bring access to new ideas, up to date techniques, knowledge of recent developments and the opportunity for further collaboration. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO THE STUDENT? We hope that the 6 week period the student will spend with Placement Providers will assist their professional development, both personal and technical, and will allow the student to put into practice the knowledge they have gained through their study at University. In applying for the placement, the student will gain valuable application experience and, possibly (dependant on Placement Provider practice) interview and communication experience. While undertaking the placement the student will also gain research, problem solving, time management and other skills. They may also gain experience of techniques and practices that will be useful to them in their final year of study and future careers. Generally a student returning to undertake her/his final year of study will have gained in maturity and motivation. Finally, by gaining experience in a relevant field or work the student will increase their chances of employment at the end of their degree. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR SHU? The placement is of great benefit to the University as well as to the student and Placement Providers. Not only is it an integral part of the student's course but it also helps to strengthen links with industry, charities and non-governmental organisations. It is also useful in ensuring that courses are continually developing in such a way as to meet the future needs of employers and Placement Providers. Finally it is a great way to objectively assess and evaluate our courses.

3. ACADEMIC INFORMATION WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE PLACEMENT? The student work placement takes place as part of an academic module which students undertake during their second year at University. The precise aims and objectives of these modules differ slightly from Subject Group to Subject Group. In general, however, the modules are intended to enable students to develop an awareness of work-related issues and professional standards. In addition students are required to reflect upon their continuing personal and professional development and develop personal and professional key skills and competencies during a period of work placement'. WILL THE STUDENT BE ASSESSED FOR THEIR UNIVERSITY COURSE DURING OR AFTER THEIR PLACEMENT? Assessment requirements will differ from Subject Group to Subject Group. Throughout their placement experience Sport and Exercise Science (SES) students will be required to complete a reflective log of their experience on placement. Following their placement they will be required to write a report on their particular placement detailing key aims and objectives, activities undertaken, skills used/acquired and challenges and outcomes of the placements. A C.V. and application form will be completed prior to placement. Students within P.E., Sport Development and Coaching (PESDC) will be required to undertake a research project whilst on placement. The nature of this research should be agreed with the Placement Provider before the placement commences and ideally should form part of the placement. Following the placement these students will also be required to produce some reflective work. Sports Management (SM) students will have already produced an individual portfolio that demonstrates researching, approaching and applying for their placement. During their placement they will also need to complete a reflective log and, following the placement, will produce an updated action plan relating to their personal development. Students from Sport and Culture (AC) will not be assessed whilst on placement. They will be assessed by members of academic staff, via a presentation and an essay, when they return to Sheffield Hallam. WILL I NEED TO ASSESS THE STUDENT? No, but we will ask you to monitor their attendance and to complete a short form at the end of the placement as feedback to the student.

4. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES WHO WILL DO WHAT? The University needs to ensure that the placement experience is of a high quality for the student, the university and the host - and safe. Between us, therefore, we need to manage a high quality academic process, for which external guidelines are issued, and relevant legal and health and safety procedures. The terms Placement Co-ordinator is usually refers to any person within the university who organises or co-ordinates student placements. For SHU sports placements we have split these responsibilities. The Placement Academic Co-ordinator will be a member of the academic teaching staff. This individual s name will be confirmed to you before the placement commences. The Placement Administrative Co-ordinator will be a member of the Professional Issues Team in the Faculty (Health and Wellbeing) Placement Office. Again, these contact details will be provided to you before the placement commences. The Placement Provider is the host employer or organisation providing the placement, i.e. you! Placement students are Sheffield Hallam University sports students working under the control of a placement provider (usually) away from University premises (unless the university is the placement provider). WHAT WILL WE HAVE TO DO DURING THE PLACEMENT? The main roles and responsibilities of the Placement Provider towards the student and the University are to: provide appropriate induction, guidance and training. outline the terms and conditions of employment clearly discuss and agree specific aims and objectives with the student before the start of the placement including issues related to project work designate a member of staff as mentor and supervisor for each student in that company provide a stimulating, challenging and appropriate work experience provide training/information on health and safety in the workplace WHAT SUPPORT WILL WE GET? You are not alone! As part of the University s duty of care to its student population, and to you as a placement provider, the University provides continuous support throughout the placement period. The University will provide ongoing support to the placement provider. This will cover what the placement provider should do if there is a problem the procedure for dealing with unsatisfactory student performance what to do if there is a break down in communications between the student and the placement provider guidance on the Placement Provider s supervisory role expectations of placement learning and aims of the placement in general the support offered by the University to the placement provider. Once a placement is agreed in principle the University will send further information to Placement Providers. We hope that this has information has answered your initial queries and we look forward to hearing from you!

SPORT WORK PLACEMENT DESCRIPTION Name of Host Organisation: Placement Reference (SHU use only) and date received Address of Host Organisation: Division/Section: Contact/Name of Placement Provider : Main Purpose of this Placement:(To be determined by the Placement Provider) Duties and Responsibilities - Specific 1.. 2.. 3.. 4. Duties and Responsibilities - General 5. etc 1.. 2.. 3.. 4. Date Produced/Last Amendment 5. etc

SPORT PLACEMENT PERSON SPECIFICATION Name of Host Organisation: Placement Reference: (SHU use only) Criteria Evidence Education and/or Qualifications Knowledge Skills and competencies Travel and Attendance requirements