The launch of the Health and Care Academy is the first of its kind in the South East region and enables students to work with Sussex Partnership, who provide specialist mental health and learning disability services across south east England, to gain valuable work placements and support from their dedicated healthcare mentors.

The scheme is currently being successfully piloted by students on the Access to Higher Education nursing programme who have been able to experience working in a mental health setting through a series of placements at Mill View Hospital in Hove and Meadowfield Hospital in Worthing. After a successful pilot, we are now introducing a rotation across wards and community work for a broader experience.

The Health and Care Academy will grow over the next few years, increasing the number of opportunities within the NHS for students across the wider health and social care programmes offered by the College.*

*Please note: we can only offer this to students aged 19+ due to the nature of the care.

In order to benefit from the invaluable experience the Health & Care Academy will provide you must be studying a relevant course. The following courses are currently working with the Health and Care Academy:

All Access courses including:

• Access to Nursing (Central Brighton Campus)
• Access to Nursing (Broadwater Campus, Worthing)

Plus:

• NCFE Technical Certificate/Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care | Level 3

Studying a course with the Health and Care Academy will provide many benefits for your future career in the health and social care sector. Benefits include:

- Work placements

Access to Nursing students have the opportunity to undertake a work placement in a mental health setting with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The enables you to gain valuable healthcare experience to help build your confidence and prepare you for your future career. You'll receive support from a dedicated NHS mentor during your placement, as you work on rotation within various wards and within the community. 

- Talks from Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Students on our Access to Nursing course and Level 3 Health and Social Care Diploma will receive talks from people who work for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. They regularly visit our College to deliver presentations about career opportunities in the NHS, and more specifically, roles within a mental health setting.

- Recruitment opportunities

Advice and support from staff at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust about careers in the NHS. After placement you will have an opportunity to take part in interviews for Bank Staff within the two hospitals.