
Work experience can help an individual get a feel for and gain knowledge of a desired career, develop aspiration for previously unconsidered career options. It is a requirement for some professions and higher education courses and can take many forms - being organised through schools, volunteering in an individual’s own time or a structured traineeship.
Toolkits
More than photocopying (Work experience - a toolkit for the NHS) provides information and resources to help NHS organisations offer high quality work experience opportunities. It aims to answers your questions and helps you to create or enhance a work experience programme that benefits your organisation. It builds on the good practice that is already in place in many parts of the health service.
Applicants have reported difficulties accessing opportunities within GP and dental surgeries and there are documented concerns from such organisation, highlighting issues such as indemnity and insurance, which are different for independent businesses. To help combat this, two additional toolkits (available in the related documents below) that focus on the detail needed to support work experience in dentistry and general practice have been developed.These two toolkits tackle specific issues, such as confidentiality, that might be putting dentists and GPs off providing work experience.
The toolkits have been designed to be used in several ways. You can read them from start to finish or you can dip into sections, which you can use to improve your existing programme.
A connected guide for teachers and careers advisers is available on the Health Careers Website. It explains how the NHS works and provides information and practical tips on how to set up a placement.