Skills for Care has published guidance to support the development of social care nursing placement opportunities.

The workforce body for adult social care published the guidance in collaboration with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and chief nurse for social care Deborah Sturdy. 

The guidance can be used by employers, practice assessors and practice supervisors who are responsible for assessing and providing learning opportunities for student nurses and nursing associates across the adult social care sector. It covers the practicalities of how organisations can host student nurse placements and the advantages for organisations of doing so. 

Skills for Care said the provision of effective social care placements for student nurses and nursing associates was vital to attracting and growing the future social care nursing workforce. 

Deborah Sturdy, chief nurse for adult social care, said:  “Lived experience is critical to understanding what it means to be a social care nurse and taking full advantage of the opportunities offered by this amazing profession.”  

She added: “Undergraduate placements, across a variety of care settings, are the best way to create the next generation of social care nurses and nursing associates, equipped with the skills, knowledge, and intuition to deliver exceptional care.” 

Claire Leenhouwers, national professional lead – nursing, Skills for Care, said: “While we recognise the challenges for smaller social care organisations compared to setting up placements in larger providers and NHS Trusts, there are real opportunities for quality practice placement experiences that meet the needs of students and the providers.”