During training the trainee may undertake some work-based learning activities that can be regarded as being placement based. These are defined as activities that could be with, for example, a team, an individual or an organisation, where engagement takes place frequently over a medium / long-term period in that environment, and the nature/scope of the work is determined and facilitated by a placement host. In the sport and exercise psychology context, the placement host is the client. In these circumstances there is a placement contact, who works with the Programme Team to ensure that the work is being conducted satisfactorily. They have no part in the assessment, however, lines of reporting are in place to ensure that if there are problems in the workplace the Programme Team is notified, since Fitness to Practise procedures might need to be invoked. Trainees are registered on a programme that could bring them into contact with children and/or vulnerable adults. Therefore they are required to apply for a check with the Disclosure and Barring Service through the University. The Faculty has a Criminal Convictions Panel, with external members, at which any trainee whose check shows evidence of a Police record is considered in the context of their suitability to remain on their chosen course of study. Placement visits, usually on site, may occur up to three times in the course of each individual's training. Due to the opportunistic nature of sport and exercise psychology postgraduate training, there are likely to be a significant amount of instances when the trainee undertakes work-based learning activities that are short-term and/or infrequent (so not placement based), and take place across a number of different environments. Examples include a request to undertake a workshop or a short and/or infrequent period of consultancy work with an individual or team. The programme is predicated upon work-based learning activity supplemented by supervision and taught elements. The majority of time is spent in these work based learning environments (employment or voluntary work), which is set up by the trainee rather than the course team (who assess each proposed activity against criteria as to their relevance and levelness to the programme). The university's policies on work based learning will apply except if professional body requirements are different. A trainee sport and exercise psychologist can specialise in sport and / or exercise psychology work, and their work based learning activity will reflect this. Those who wish to specialise in sporting applications should have experience in a range of situations typical of the sport context. They will usually seek work based opportunities with sports teams, governing bodies of sport or individuals. They will be expected to provide evidence of the application of a number of psychological techniques and interventions targeted at specific behaviours. Whatever the area of work, the researcher or practitioner needs to be aware of the central importance of working with a clear philosophy of practice that is rooted in sound theoretical paradigms. A trainee Sport and Exercise Psychologist who wishes to specialise in exercise applications should have experience in a range of situations typical of the exercise environment. They will usually seek work based learning opportunities with fitness clubs, local authority leisure providers, GP referral schemes, or with individuals. They will be expected to provide evidence of interventions to promote and enhance exercise participation and adherence. The work based learning environments used must allow the trainee enough autonomy to develop elements of their work and provide evidence for the use of Sport and Exercise psychology models and approaches and demonstrate that they have met the requirements for each of the national curriculum competences at the appropriate level. Trainees can have as many opportunities as necessary to achieve their competencies.
