SD2D01 - Public Services Placement 01 Sep 2018 - 31 Aug 2030 | Version 0

Associated Module Information

Module Code: SD2D01
Module Title: Public Services Placement
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Leadership and Public Services
Faculty Sub Group: Leadership and Public Services
Module Leader: Sarah Campbell
Module Team: Jessica Marshall, Vida Greaux
First Intended Intake: SEP 2017 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 40 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 101278 - employability skills (personal learning)
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 0
Valid From 01 Sep 2018
Valid To 31 Aug 2030

Module Aims

This module aims to provide students with substantial workplace experience in managing and working in a public or voluntary sector organisation. Through a substantial internship the module aims to develop and promote students employability skills/ personal and professional development.

Content Summary

Students will complete 8 weeks (140 hours) with a public or voluntary sector organisation (it may be possible to have a placement with a private sector organisation as long as this is appropriate – suitability will be decided by the module leader). Students will work under the direction of an employer and a supervisor from the university.
Throughout the placement the student will complete a portfolio, reflecting on tasks completed and applying the concepts and principles of public services in the employment context.

The timing of the placement is such that it will commence in early January and last for 8 weeks (140 hours). If the placement looks as though it may break down, staff at the university will support the student and the placement organisation to try to retrieve this. If this is not possible, another placement may be found which can still be completed before May. If this is not possible students may repeat or resit the module over the summer period.

Concepts and theories: Public and private organisations, codes of practice, employee codes of conduct and expectations, public service ethos and values, accountability, organisational structure, bureaucracy, organisational culture, ethics, power and conflict, personality and perception, motivation, workforce diversity.

Undertaking critical reflection – tools and models for reflective practice
Evaluation of personal skills
Identify and develop needs and learning styles
Developing and monitoring development plans

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 6
Tutorial 6
Independent Study 248
Placement 140
Total Hours Selected 400

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 To demonstrate skills knowledge and experience relevant for public sector employment
LO2 To apply concepts and theories learnt in an employment context
LO3 Critically reflect on work/ internship experience and on learning and development arising out of this

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Oral Assessment (EX) Presentation (EX) 1 Critically reflect on your Internship, learning experience, outlining the positives and negatives 15 N/A 20 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Portfolio 1 A portfolio that includes reflection on skills developed, critical reflection on concepts applied in a work context, as well as a letter of reference from the employer 0 6000 60 No 40
Practical _Practical Assessment 1 Submit two different Application forms – a Standard and Competency- based, a CV and Covering letter 0 N/A 20 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Presentation (EX) 1
Portfolio 1
_Practical Assessment 1

Reading List

Cottrell S. (2010). Skills for Success: Personal Development and Employability. London: Palgrave

Biron, C. Burke, R. and Cooper, C. (2014) Creating Healthy Workplaces. Aldershot: Gower Publishing Ltd

Bolton, G.E.J. (2010) Reflective Practice Writing and Professional Development; London: SAGE

Bratton, J. et al (2010) Work and Organizational Behaviour (2nd Ed). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

Flynn, N. (2012). Public Sector Management. London: Sage

Fook, J. and Gardner F. (2007). Practicing Critical Reflection: A resource Handbook. Milton Keynes: Open University Press

Hind, D. and Moss, S. (2011). Employability Skills. Sunderland: Business Education Publishers

Mullins, L. (2010). Management and Organisational Behaviour. London: Pitman

O’Donovan, I. (2011) Organizational Behaviour: A Psychological Approach to Behaviour in the Workplace. London: Taylor and Francis Ltd.

Pollard, K., Thomas, J. and Miers, M (2010) Understanding Inter-professional Working in Health and Social Care. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

Tarrant, P. (2013) Reflective Practice and Professional Devolvement. London: SAGE

Wilson F. (2010) Organisational Behaviour and Work. Oxford: Oxford University Press

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Available at: legislation.gov.uk