Experiencing the realities of Care: learning through work placements in diverse settings

At EKC Canterbury College, we know that a career in care is not defined by one setting, one role, or one type of responsibility. Health and Social Care is a broad and varied sector, and the most effective way for students to understand this is by stepping into real environments and experiencing the work first-hand. 

Through placements with CareTech, two Health and Social Care students completed work placements in contrasting care environments: a day centre and a supported living service.  

While both placements focused on supporting individuals with additional needs, each student’s experience highlighted different aspects of care work and the benefits of learning in real settings.

Charlie: experiencing a day centre setting 

Charlie completed a work placement at the Martello Learning and Skills Centre, a day centre supporting those with additional needs to access day-to-day activities, sessions and respite. During his placement, Charlie supported individuals during sessions, offered one-to-one assistance when required, and worked closely with experienced support workers to ensure activities ran smoothly. 

One of the key benefits of Charlie’s placement was the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced, varied environment. Each day brought different activities, new people and new challenges, helping Charlie develop strong communication skills and adaptability. 

“My favourite thing about being here is that you get to genuinely make a difference and help people in their everyday lives. And to see service users learn skills that they may not otherwise learn if they didn’t have that support in place.”

– Charlie

Over time, Charlie became more confident in interacting with service users and supporting their needs. Tasks that initially felt unfamiliar, like providing hands-on assistance during meals became important learning moments, helping him build confidence and develop a more natural, person-centred approach to care. 

The placement also played a key role in Charlie’s personal development. Being in a real care setting helped him become more outgoing, improve his social skills, and gain a clearer understanding of what working in care involves beyond just the classroom. Experiencing the day centre environment reinforced the value of practical learning and confirmed the importance of placements as part of his Health and Social Care course. 

What Charlie’s employer had to say: 

Siobhan, Service Manager at the Martello Learning and Skills Centre, reflected positively on the experience of hosting placement students and the contribution they have made to the service. 

While there was some initial apprehension about taking on students, this quickly changed once staff witnessed them working with service users. Their willingness to engage, calm approach and genuine interest in supporting individuals helped them integrate naturally into the team. 

Siobhan describes Charlie as a steady and reliable presence within the service. Although quieter in nature, he was unfazed by the responsibilities of the role and engaged well with service users during activities and outings. His consistent approach and ability to remain calm showed strong foundations for working in social care, with his confidence developing every day. 

Charlie’s placement at the Martello Centre highlighted the importance of giving students real, hands-on experience. Placements allow staff to see how students respond in practice, whilst giving students the opportunity to build confidence, develop skills and gain a realistic understanding of working in a diverse care setting. 

Anne-Marie: promoting independence in supported living 

Anne-Marie completed her work placement at Grand Drive, a supported living setting based in Herne Bay, where the focus is on helping individuals live as independently as possible whilst receiving the right level of support. Alongside her Health and Social Care studies, she supported service users with daily routines, personal care, hygiene, activities and decision-making. 

Anne-Marie’s placement gave her a strong understanding of person-centred care. She learned that no two individuals require the same level or type of support, and that care work involves adapting approaches to meet each person’s needs. Supporting choice and independence was central to her role, whether that meant helping someone attend appointments, take part in activities, or carry out everyday tasks. 

“I like coming to work to make a difference, help support people and help them be more independent. When I got offered the paid position, I realised that this is the job for me, and I realised I’m good at it. When I finish College, I would like to stay in this industry because I enjoy being a support worker.” 

– Anne-Marie

Being on placement also supported Anne-Marie’s academic learning. The experience helped her relate theory to real situations, strengthening her understanding of course content and improving her ability to apply knowledge in practice. Over time, her confidence increased, and she became a valued part of the care team.

Anne-Marie’s placement experience ultimately led to her being offered a paid position within the service. This progression demonstrated the value of placements not only as a learning opportunity, but also as a pathway into employment for students who show commitment, development and the right attitude. 

What Anne-Marie’s employer had to say: 

Senior Support Worker, Becky, highlighted the positive impact of having a placement student within the supported living service. Staff observed Anne-Marie’s development from quiet and reserved to becoming confident, approachable and effective in her role. 

She noted Anne-Marie’s ability to build positive relationships with service users while also encouraging independence – a key skill in supported living environments. The placement was beneficial not only for Anne-Marie’s development, but also for the service users, who responded well to having a new member of staff to interact with, and for the wider staff team, who valued the additional support. 

The experience also demonstrated how placements allow employers to support student development whilst identifying potential future members of the care workforce

Charlie’s and Anne-Marie’s experiences show how valuable work placements are in helping students understand the realities of working in Health and Social Care.  

By experiencing different care settings, students gain insight into the variety of roles available, develop confidence and practical skills, and make informed decisions about their future careers. 

Learn more about our range of Health, Care and Science courses today.