College failing to meet their Placement responsibilities

[Novembernova]

I wonder if anyone has any ideas what to do next please?
My dd who is 22 is at college studying an HNC in childcare. As part of the course there is a placement for 2 days a week and this was due to start in October. Unfortunately they have been unable to arrange sufficient placements for all student son the course and she is 1 of 3 who have yet to have their placement assigned.
She is now being told she has to arrange a placement herself (which seems ludicrous!) and her tutor and (?)guidance tutor are saying it's up to her as they have exhausted all possibilities!

This surely doesn't sound right does it? Obviously it will be dd who has to discuss further with them but I said I'd canvas opinion 😂

I don't think it is that unusual for students to find a placement for themselves.
That is anecdotal - I am not directly involved.

I thought it was pretty usual in things like childcare, plumbing, hairdressing?

It might not work like that at all colleges but it seems pretty normal.

Has she tried all of her local ones?

I don't think it's that unusual, my DS is at Uni and the third year is 'in industry', all the blurb about the course said that they would be helped to find something, resources were available, careers department etc but in reality (not helped by Covid of course) it was up to the students to find something themselves... which my DS did eventually.

It's tough, but look at it as a learning experience and encourage your DD to start pro-actively searching now.

Agree with above, although it is usual to be aware of this well in advance. Can she find a play scheme, nursery etc to volunteer at?

Thanks all, definitely confirmed at the point of applying that the placements are organised for the students by the college.

She will try herself - but college haven't told her where they have already tried so could be rather frustrating for her and the nurseries to be asked twice.

There a specific set of requirements apparently and some providers don't want to or can't comply so even harder for her as they haven't even shared what the requirements of the placement are!

Anyway, thanks all - well just see what happens

Finding placements at the moment is an absolute nightmare, it’s hard for your daughter but it sounds like they’ve done everything they can and are now hoping the personal touch works. Wonder if people knew where you are they might be able to help?

If your DD is just one of three students who hasn't found a placement, I think you should try to work out the reason why she hasn't found a placement.

One possible reason could be that your DD was unlucky and this is quite possible given the current situation. However, it could also be that your DD didn't bother applying for many positions.

Other reasons could be that her CV isn't up to scratch or that she has poor interview skills. If there is a Careers Service at your DD's college, it is well worth her while contacting them. They can look over her CV and give advice. They can also do some interview training with her if necessary.

I would contact the Early Years section of the local authority and see if they can help. Go around every nursery and childcare setting and ask. Some companies have them. Can she volunteer at a sports setting with children attending? Is part time good enough? Anywhere she can possibly get to.

Unfortunately colleges want bums on seats and don’t think about the consequences. Eg not enough placements. Many universities leave DC to find placements. I would see the course director urgently if they actually promised a placement and you have this in writing. I rather suspect they gave themselves wriggle room.,

Are there any schools near her/you with a nursery? Until July I was doubling up my secondary job with a primary school that did SCITT or similar.There were always trainees coming in to observe or for placements. My DD's BF was able to do his pre-PGCE primary observation there because they are a training school.

Other posters have good suggestions too. Hopefully your DD will find something suitable.

It's shitty of the college to wash their hands of her like that. I'm currently placement-less (due to start my final healthcare-related one in early January) because of circumstances utterly out of my control and that weren't a factor when I started the degree. I've been completely kept in the loop by the staff who I know are working away behind the scenes trying to find something, and it'll get sorted - it just might take a bit of time to do so... if it doesn't - I can't qualify and register so it's a rather big deal, and yes, it's stressful for me to have ticking over in the back of my mind.

I'd be starting to put things like requests for the requirements in writing and also places already contacted and complain that they're not even providing her with adequate information to be looking for her own placement - because that's really not on.