Topic outline
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Level 4 Placements
General Information about Placement modules at Level 4
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Other crucial miscellaneous considerations as you enter you placement
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The following are crucial, miscellaneous considerations as you enter placement:
Working with children and vulnerable adults
Before entering into placement agreement with a church, we require
their confirmation that they have a working policy to safeguard children and vulnerable adults.
If required by the church in which you are placed, your supervisor will instigate the DBS process (Disclosure Barring service), to enable you to work unsupervised with children and vulnerable adults. It is therefore vital that you take the necessary paperwork to church with you on the FIRST Sunday there and present it to your supervisor, so they can start the process immediately. A list of required documentation can be found here. In most cases the church will cover the cost of DBS check, but if not it is student's responsibility to cover this expense. We will take you through a compulsory basic training, which covers issues relating to working with these vulnerable groups.
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Changing placements
We want your placement experience to be positive and for you to grow, even through challenging situations. But placement isn't always perfect. And, though we work hard to allocate you to a church which is not too far from what you are used to, the expression of church in your placement may feel rather different.
This difference can be a place of learning and growth and we aim to place students in a church that is theologically compatible but there will no doubt be some difference, even within the evangelical tradition. When a difference is a secondary issue (not a fundamental gospel one) it may feel uncomfortable but can give the opportunity to reflect on why you (and/or your home church) hold the theological convictions you do - and be prepared to engage with your supervisor on these issues, if the opportunity arises.
However, IF by midway through the first term you find you are really struggling, PLEASE come and see us and we will work together to resolve issues. Please don’t stay quiet then tell us at the end of placement. If it is something that needs to go further, we can facilitate a conversation with your supervisor. We will not draw a line under a placement without this conversation and we do not recommend changing placements mid-year, unless there are compelling reasons to do so.
If all avenues for reconciliation/resolving the problem have been exhausted with the student and placement provider, we will work with you to:
- Formalise the close of placement verbally and in writing, requesting that the supervisor authorise completed placement hours
- Write a brief summary of what happened and keep it in your student folder
- Work with you to establish a replacement placement.
Expenses
You should expect no payment for your service on placement. However, we suggest that, where possible, placement providers cover transport costs (this is not guaranteed). The kitchen has agreed to provide packed meals on Sundays or mid-week if you regularly miss meals due to placement commitments. Please let us know and we can organise this for you.
Pastoral care
The emotional, spiritual and academic wellbeing of LST students is our highest concern. Vocational Services works with other departments (Registry; Pastoral Care Team; Tutors) to pick up any concerns. Please do not stay silent if you are struggling – we are here to help you. Occasionally the supervisor contacts Vocational Services with a concern, in which case this is sensitively communicated to the required people, who are best placed to work these through with the student. All efforts are made to do this with the student’s permission.
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Confidentiality
On consultation, LST’s Pastoral Care Team has stated that issues of student mental health or special needs (eg dyslexia) should normally remain confidential and shared with your supervisor only with your consent. Where required, Vocational Services will take advice from the Pastoral Care Team/Committee.
Complaints
Vocational Services will provide support to both student and supervisor throughout the placement process. In any instance of miscommunication or strained student/supervisor relations, Vocational Services will provide mediation.
If there is a complaint against a student by a supervisor Vocational Services will investigate the complaint, firstly with the student and then, if necessary with the supervisor and student together. If necessary, Vocational Services will also make reference to the student’s Tutor and the Pastoral Care Team.
If there is a complaint against a supervisor or a member of their placement church/ organisation by a student Vocational Services will investigate. How this is done will depend on the nature of the complaint. Vocational Services is willing to withdraw a student if it is no longer deemed to be a suitable/safe placement environment. In this case Vocational Services and student will work together to find an alternative placement.
Carrying out placement in a home church context
Students hoping to stay at their home church for placement should
reflect on the following considerations:
- Do you have experience of other churches/denominations? How long have you been at your home church? Have you always worshipped there with your family?
- Does your home church support you financially and, if so, do you feel a pressure to stay?
- What is your current role within your home church? Would it change with placement? Would you want new opportunities?
- As a placement student, you will be serving the whole church and cannot simply stay with your friendship group; others within the church will also need to perceive you differently.
- If required, Vocational Services will contact the home church minister to review the above issues collaboratively.
- Do you have experience of other churches/denominations? How long have you been at your home church? Have you always worshipped there with your family?