A workshop for Forth Valley College partners who provide placements for Health and Social Care students, was held at the Falkirk Campus recently.
Organised by FVC lecturers Ian Finn, Jemima Henderson and Mark Davidson the one day course called ‘Mentor Health and Social Care Students on Placement’ was held on Monday 12 August and was attended by 22 partners mainly from Transform Forth Valley and Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership (Falkirk Council).
The aim of the event was to give guidance, support, information and underpinning knowledge to external partners who provide our students with placements and included sections on: What is a mentor?; Skills needed for this role; Overcoming barriers to Mentorship; Diversity within the mentor-mentee relationship; and How to foster positive relationships between student and mentor.
Ian Finn, FVC Health and Social Care Lecturer, said: “The course was the first of its kind we have delivered within our department for external staff who support our students on placement. I felt this was a very valuable event as it will help our students and mentors to build a more professional structured partnership, that will hopefully lead to a more robust and supportive service for our Forth Valley students on placement within the Forth Valley area.
“The feedback from participants was excellent and they felt they have a better understanding of their role, and the resources will help them support their mentees on placement in a more positive way.”