Placement Instructions for social services students

In studies leading to a University of Applied Sciences degree, practical training helps you become familiar with real work tasks that are important in your field. The goal is to support your professional development and help you apply what you have learned in your studies to working life, as required by national regulations.

During your placement, you will take part in the organisation’s everyday work. This may also include getting to know the organisation’s partners and other activities that help you understand the professional environment.

Before and during the placement, you will set your own learning goals based on the placement objectives and your current skills and experience. You will also create a plan for how you aim to achieve these goals. Your learning goals and plan must be approved by the supervising teacher before the placement can begin.

The placement can be carried out in unpaid or paid work, in a project at Laurea or with a partner. Prior learning can also be recognised as part of the placement.

Enrollment for placements 

Enrollment for the placement is done in Pakki. Pakki contains information on related schedules, practices and how to register the placement. More detailed information and the registration form can be found in the Canvas placement workspace. Please remember to order an identity card for your internship if your internship requires one.

Placement agreement

An agreement is made between Laurea and the placement organisation. However, an agreement is not required for paid placements. A person appointed by Laurea is responsible for processing the agreements.  During the agreement creation process, the student enters the organisation and internship information into Laurea’s PRM portal. Remember to record that the placement has ended in PRM when the placement ends.  

Placement location

Your placement should be completed in the social services sector or in a closely related field. The choice of placement depends on your own study focus and your stage of studies, as defined in your Personal Study Plan (PSP).

Practical training completed in a pedagogical daycare environment for children under school age is accepted as a placement in early childhood education. To be eligible for the qualification of Social Pedagogue in Early Childhood Education and Care (Varhaiskasvatuksen sosionomi), your second or third placement must be completed in an Early Childhood Education and Care setting.

A placement completed abroad is also accepted, as long as it meets the same requirements.

An international placement lasting three months is possible only during your second or third placement.

Prerequisites for placement

First placement – Client Work

In your first placement, the focus is on client work. It is recommended that you have the opportunity to observe client interactions and gradually take part in client work under supervision. The aim is to help you understand how client work is carried out in practice.

Second placemenet – Professional Working Methods

In the second placement, the focus is on professional working methods. It is recommended that you can participate in guidance activities and use professional methods and tools that are relevant to your field. This placement helps you strengthen your practical skills and professional confidence.

Third Placement – Work Development

In the third placement, the focus is on work development. You are expected to participate in development activities, complete a development task, and further deepen your professional competence. The development task must be agreed with the workplace before the placement begins.

Paid placements

A paid placement is possible if you are employed in a position that corresponds to the requirements of your bachelor’s degree.

Paid placements can be completed at any stage of your studies, as long as they meet the criteria for paid placements.

In a paid placement, the employer is not required to appoint a workplace supervisor for you. In addition, a guidance meeting between the student, the supervising teacher, and a workplace representative is not arranged for paid placements.

Your weekly working hours and the completion of learning assignments are calculated according to the applicable collective agreement. This corresponds to 1.5 ECTS credits. If you are absent due to illness or interrupt your work, this time cannot be counted as part of the placement. The same rules apply to sick leave in unpaid placements.

You can find detailed instructions for paid placements in Canvas.

During the placement 

Confidentiality and Professional conduct

During your practical training, you are bound by the obligation of professional secrecy and the prohibition of exploitation, in the same way as employees (Act on the Status and Rights of Social Welfare Clients 812/2000, Section 15).

At the beginning of your placement, please make sure you clarify the organisation’s specific confidentiality practices with your workplace supervisor. This will help you work confidently and responsibly from the start.

Responsibilities during the placement

As a student, you are not given the same responsibilities as an employee. You should always have access to guidance and support.

If, in exceptional cases, you are asked to complete a placement task independently without immediate supervision, this is the responsibility of the workplace supervisor and can only take place with your consent.

Insurance

Laurea has insured students against accidents during their internship.

Criminal records extract

If you will be working with children or young people under the age of 18, you must provide a criminal records extract before your placement begins.

The extract is presented on the demonstration days organised in Teams. Please remember to take care of this well in advance.

Read the instructions and order the criminal background check (login required)

Vaccinations

If you are a social services student completing your placement in substance abuse treatment facilities or similar environments, Laurea will cover the cost of the hepatitis B vaccination.

If needed, please contact student health care (FSHS) for further guidance.

Student’s practical learning period

Your practical learning period follows the working hours of the placement organisation so that you gain a comprehensive understanding of the work. This means that evening, night, and weekend shifts may be included, depending on the objectives of your placement.

Weekend and overtime hours are counted hour by hour as part of your total working time. Public holidays do not need to be compensated during the placement period.

• Your weekly practical learning time is 40 hours.
• This includes work at the placement, familiarisation with partners, and completing learning assignments.
• Within the 15 ECTS credits of the placement, learning assignments correspond to 1 ECTS credit, which equals approximately 2.5 hours per week.

If your placement is not realised as 40 hours per week, you are responsible for ensuring that the total ECTS workload is completed.

Learning assignments 

You can find the learning assignments for your placement in Canvas. When completing them, you are expected to use relevant literature and research related to the topic.

Please submit your assignments to your supervising teacher according to the agreed schedule and instructions

Meals

Meals are generally self-paid. The student may agree with the placement on meal arrangements.

Absences 

If you become ill, please inform your placement before your planned shift begins. Follow the placement’s practices regarding medical certificates and submit the required documentation to your supervisor.

As a general rule, if you are absent for more than five working days in total (either consecutively or separately), the absence must be compensated. The method of compensation is agreed together with your workplace supervisor and supervising teacher, and the final decision is made by the supervising teacher.

Supervision of the placement

The role of the supervising teacher

You will be assigned a supervising teacher whom you can contact regarding any matters related to your placement. Guidance practices—such as possible guidance visits, interim meetings, and final feedback and assessment discussions—are agreed on a practical basis.

Participation in placement supervision meetings is compulsory and required for successfully completing the placement.

At the beginning of the placement, you agree on guidance arrangements together with your supervising teacher and workplace supervisor. This includes approving your personal goals and plan for the placement.

If you experience learning difficulties, changes in plans, or exceptional situations, close cooperation with both supervisors is especially important. Please contact your supervising teacher whenever you need additional support.

The role of the placement supervisor 

Your placement organisation will appoint one or more workplace supervisors. Their responsibilities include:

• Introducing you to the organisation and its practices
• Supporting you in setting your placement goals and plans
• Guiding, monitoring, and supporting your learning during the placement
• Providing regular feedback and contacting the supervising teacher if challenges arise
• Preparing a written assessment and participating in the final evaluation discussion

To support your learning, it is recommended to schedule regular guidance discussions in advance. Continuous feedback, reflection, and encouragement are an important part of your professional development. Discussing emotions and experiences that arise during the placement is also a valuable part of supervision.

Assessment 

The placement is assessed as pass/fail basis and is evaluated against the objective of the placement. If needed, you have the opportunity to supplement a failed performance as agreed with your supervising teacher.

Placement certificate

You have the right, upon request, to receive a certificate of placement organisation or from your supervising teacher.

Need help?

If you have any questions, please contact your supervising teacher or teacher tutor.

And remember: take care of your criminal records extract in good time.

Identity card for placements in social and Health care

If your placement requires an ID card, please use the ID card order form and follow the instructions for ordering an identity card for the social and health care sector.