– INTRANET Governance, Policies & Procedures
– INTRANET
Governance, Policies & Procedures

C4b: Placement Concern and Early Warning Trigger Policy v1.0

1. Purpose

This policy sets out the procedures for identifying, recording, and responding to concerns arising during practice-based learning. It ensures that learner safety, patient safety, and professional standards are maintained, while providing timely support and remediation opportunities for learners.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All students enrolled on the L6 Diploma in Paramedic Sciences (RQF)
  • All practice placements, mentors, practice educators, and clinical supervisors
  • The Programme Team, including the Practice Placement Coordinator

3. Principles

  • Learner safety, patient safety, and professional standards take priority.
  • Concerns will be addressed at the earliest possible opportunity.
  • Responses will be fair, proportionate, and supportive, with clear documentation.
  • Equality, diversity, and inclusion principles will be upheld at all times.

4. Definitions

  • Placement Concern: Any issue that may affect a learner’s ability to meet required standards of conduct, performance, or proficiency in practice. This may include clinical performance, professional behaviour, attendance, or health and wellbeing concerns.
  • Early Warning Trigger: A defined signal indicating the need for intervention, monitoring, or escalation.

5. Early Warning Triggers

Triggers include, but are not limited to:

  1. Attendance and Engagement
    • Unauthorised absence or lateness on more than two occasions
    • Failure to meet mandatory placement attendance requirements
  2. Professional Conduct
    • Breaches of the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics
    • Repeated unprofessional behaviour despite feedback
  3. Clinical Competence
    • Repeated unsafe practice or failure to apply taught skills appropriately
    • Inability to meet stage-specific learning outcomes
  4. Health and Wellbeing
    • Concerns raised by the learner, educator, or clinical team regarding fitness to practise
    • Deterioration in wellbeing impacting performance or safety

6. Monitoring and Identification

  • Practice Educators are responsible for day-to-day monitoring.
  • Concerns must be raised immediately via the organisation’s Link Tutor and/or the Outreach Rescue Practice Placement Coordinator.
  • Educators should provide timely, constructive feedback to the learner and inform the Practice Placement Coordinator within 24 hours of identifying a trigger.

7. Escalation Process

  1. Stage 1 – Local Resolution
    • Concern addressed directly by Practice Educator
    • Action plan agreed with learner and documented in PAD
  2. Stage 2 – Programme Notification
    • If concern persists or is serious, the Practice Placement Coordinator is informed
    • A joint review meeting is held with learner, educator, and coordinator
  3. Stage 3 – Formal Review
    • Escalation to Programme Lead
    • Possible outcomes: formal learning contract, temporary suspension from placement, or referral to Fitness to Practise procedures

8. Support Mechanisms

  • Learners will be offered academic support, mentoring, and access to pastoral or wellbeing services.
  • Reasonable adjustments will be applied in line with Equality and Diversity Policy.

9. Documentation

  • All concerns must be recorded in the student’s PAD and on the student’s record held by Outreach Rescue. Placement Concern Form and logged on the student monitoring system.
  • Records will be reviewed at progression boards and may inform recommendations to the Awarding Body.

10. Review and Governance

  • This policy will be reviewed annually by the Programme Lead and Practice Placement Coordinator.
  • Updates will align with HCPC Standards of Education and Training (SETs), HCPC Standards of Proficiency (SOPs), and the College of Paramedics Curriculum.