Student profile – Professional Placement Year 

Course studied: BA (Hons) Forensic Psychology with PPY
Graduating year: 2026

Why did you choose to undertake a placement year?

I chose to undertake a placement due to the amount of research that has come out explaining how employers are more likely to hire students if they have relevant experience, not just a degree.

Additionally, I wanted to be able to experience a potential future career path before committing to it after graduation and maybe realising I didn’t enjoy the sector I have chosen. 

At which organisation did your placement take place?

Bath and North-East Somerset Youth Justice Service.

What does your role entail? Could you describe a typical day?

After a thorough induction and shadowing opportunities, my role consisted of having my own case load of children on preventative programmes who may have committed an offence that was diverted out of court or have been coming to the attention of the police, received an antisocial behaviour warning, or were under investigation. 

A typical day consisted of emailing/contacting other professionals who may work with the child I work with, attending multi-agency strategy meetings, MAPPA meetings, complex strategy meetings and more. During this I also often shadowed and co-worked Referral Order cases where a child had committed a crime and were now on a court ordered referral to the Youth Justice. 

What have been the best and most challenging aspects of your placement?

The best part of my placement was meeting the different children and their families and building a relationship with them so I could work effectively with the child enabling them to experience the best service. Particularly my first ever case, as we built a positive and trusting relationship that enabled the child to achieve more than we both could have imagined. 

The most challenging part of my placement was realising how underfunded the Youth Justice Service is and the lack of services available as soon as a child turns 18. It was a struggle to witness children who had challenges (such as poor mental health or who had experienced exploitation) not receive adequate support, something the Youth Justice fought so hard for. 

How did you find and secure your placement?

After a lecture, I sat in Commons and trawled through the different types of jobs in the Criminal Justice System. I came across Youth Justice, something I hadn’t looked much into, and found the email addresses for all the local authorities.

I emailed each one with my CV, a brief overview of myself and an overview of my placement requirements so that it was clear what was needed by them and from myself.

How has your placement supported your career aspirations, or been generally beneficial?

Youth Justice has been incredibly supportive in my decision to pursue a career in the health and social/criminal sector. Before my placement I believed that I would work with adults, but after a shadowing day at Bath Probation, I realised that I would like to work with children after graduation.

I have learnt a variety of skills (such as communication and de-escalation) that I wouldn’t have if I had stayed at university or perused a solely psychology-based job after graduation. 

Do you have any advice for students considering taking a short placement or placement year?

My advice is to definitely take a placement year. It is so important to be able to prove to future employers that you have the skills to do the jobs but to also help foster relationships with people who may be able to support you in any future employment.