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Work experience 16 to 18 years
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Discover healthcare careers at Sheffield Children’s
Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust has a variety of opportunities available for young adults aged 16 to 18 who are exploring a career in healthcare. Young people within and outside our community will be our workforce of the future. With 350 different job roles across the NHS, we can provide an insight into a selection of these roles through our Discover Healthcare Careers offer.
Engaging people at a young age is key, and through partnership working with schools, sixth forms, training organisations and third sector organisations we are able to inform young people about the variety of opportunities available. We work directly with these organisations therefore we do not accept any applications or enquiries directly from students.
We have set ourselves clear objectives to increase the number of opportunities available for young people to gain knowledge and experience within a number of Healthcare Careers at Sheffield Children’s. These objectives sit within the Trusts ambition to Attract, Recruit and Retain a diverse representation of young people into our workforce.
Opportunities available
Sheffield Children’s Work Experience – Clinical Areas (aged 16 to 18 years)
These work experience placements run throughout the year during school holidays, with the exception of the Christmas period. Due to the demand and the limited number of places available, these opportunities are restricted to school and college students living or studying within the Sheffield city area. All placements within this programme will have the potential of being within a clinical setting therefore applicants are required to be 16 to 18 years of age.
These experiences are part of Sheffield Children’s and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals collaborative initiative designed to offer a range of opportunities for school and college students in Sheffield who are considering a career in the NHS.
Entry criteria
- 16 to 18 year olds (Year 12 to 13)
- Live in Sheffield
- Go to a Sheffield school or college, or home schooled
- Have full childhood vaccination record
- Have parental or guardian permission to apply
Timelines for applications
We are unable to accept any applications outside of the below timeframes.
Due to the large volumes of applications we receive, there may be times where applications are closed early due to large volumes.
- Autumn group – 26 October to 30 October 2026
- Applications open: 21 August 2026 at 9am
- Applications close: 25 September 2026 at 5pm
Your application
We are looking for evidence of your passion for and knowledge of working in the NHS. Please make sure that your application is clear and well presented. Try to include specific examples to demonstrate your understanding of, and interest in, the NHS. Take the time to research Sheffield Children’s to demonstrate your passion and commitment.
You may state a preference for placement area, but this cannot be guaranteed.
In addition, there are very many complex and acutely unwell children in Sheffield Children’s and some students may find this distressing.
Once we have received your application, it will be assessed and scored before we can confirm if you are successful. Appeals to unsuccessful applications will only be considered within 10 working days of receiving our decision.
Once you have applied we recommend you add the Schools Engagement email address to your contacts list or frequently check your spam or junk folder.
Your placement
Once you have secured a place on one of the programmes, try to make the most of it, even if some aspects surprise you.
Ask questions and engage with staff as they are there to support you. Please always follow instructions and the Trust’s health and safety procedures – these will be explained to you as part of the mandatory induction. Please do not accept a place on a programme if you are unable to come to the work experience times and dates. You must inform us, as we may have a waiting list and can offer the place to another student.
Further information
For more information regarding Work Experience at Sheffield Children’s and the application process please download the Sheffield Children’s Work Experience Guide.
Apply
Submit your Application for Work Experience aged 16-18 years at Sheffield Children’s
Coming soon – Sheffield Children’s non-clinical work experience (aged 15 to 18 years)
All placements within this programme will be within Corporate Services and not within a clinical area therefore applications will be accepted for young people aged 15 to 18.
Email: scn-tr.discover.healthcarecareers16-18@nhs.net
Healthcare Careers Day
In partnership with schools across Sheffield we will offer young people an opportunity to learn more about differing careers within healthcare which could include clinical and non-clinical roles. On the day students will have a chance to listen to colleagues describe their profession and activities they encounter on a daily. There will also be opportunities to carry out practical activities so you can gain hands on experience. These days may take place within the Trust or on school premises.
In2MedSchool
We have partnered with a National Charity ‘In2MedSchool’ to offer 3-day work experience placements for young people within the Sheffield region who are applying for medical school. In2MedSchool are a national charity organisation who provide support to students from a disadvantaged background to apply to study medicine. Medical Schools require applicants to gain ‘people focussed experience of providing care or service’ before applying. If you are interested in knowing more about In2MedSchool and how to take part, please contact them directly – In2MedSchool
T Levels
We have partnered with the UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park and Sheffield College to offer T Level industry placements in our Digital and Estates services. Each T Level includes an in-depth industry placement that lasts at least 45 days within a two-year academic course. The placement represents 20% of the overall course, with the remaining 80% delivered by the training provider. These placements give students valuable hands-on workplace experience, while providing employers with an early opportunity to connect with emerging talent in their sector.
Genetics Virtual Placement
Our Sheffield Diagnostic Genetics team, work in partnership with The University of Sheffield to offer their students virtual placements. A virtual placement is a period of supervised remote working for an organisation. It is an opportunity to gain vocational and competence-based training where learners gain experience and it bridges the gap between academic study and work. These take place 1 day per week for 10 weeks where students are able to re-analyse old cases.
Supported Internship
Supported Internships are 12-month employability programmes for learners with learning difficulties/disabilities and/or Autism. They give students with Education Healthcare Plans the skills, work-based experience and pastoral support to secure sustainable employment or get closer to work readiness. They are available for young people aged between 16-24 years old. We have partnered with Choices College, NHS England to provide work placements that are 12 weeks long, part-time and allow students to learn about their capabilities and gain experience as they work towards being ready for employment. To find out more, visit Choices College.
Work Experience in Pharmacy
The Springpod virtual work experience programme prepares young people to kickstart their pharmacy career with a series of engaging modules. Between videos, activities and quizzes that will put their knowledge to the test, they’ll build young people’s understanding of the health and social care sector and prepare people to take their first step in their pharmacy journey.
Features
- 8 module programme on career paths with North East, North Cumbria and Yorkshire
- Over 6 hours worth of content
- Complete real industry activites
- On demand programme
- Certificate of completion
Find out more at Springpod.com
Frequently asked questions
Long term work experiences will require a DBS and further recruitment checks. If you are completing a short work experience placement with us you will not require a DBS check as you will be supervised at all times.
No, we only offer work experience during week days which are classed as a normal working day. Work experience is not taken during bank holidays or over the Christmas period.
We would require you to wear sensible closed shoes along with trousers and a polo t-shirt. Further details can be found in the handbook. We will also advise you on clothing if you are successful in your application.
This would not be possible due to strict confidentiality guidelines. Once you have transitioned to adult services, you are very welcome to apply.
Sheffield Children’s works hard to make sure we provide the best work experience opportunities. This means we only work with selected schools and organisations. If you’ve been offered a work experience through a family member, please ask them to look at all the information available on our intranet. Please note you will not be able to have work experience with us outside of the offers outlined above.
At present, we are unable to provide work experience for anyone under the age of 16 due to health and safety regulations and confidentiality relating to children’s services.
Some people aged 15 would be eligible for work experience in our non-clinical areas when this opportunity is available.
You should inform the work experience coordinator who will then pass on the message to your designated department. If you are a school or college student, you should inform your personal tutor or the appropriate person to tell them why you cannot come to take part in your work experience.
Many of our sites are large and complex buildings.
We often have a volunteer available at the main reception desk who will help guide you to your destination.
There are various maps around the sites to help you find your way and colour codes for you to follow to your destination.
When our work experience is open for applications, students can apply directly. Participation in Discover Healthcare programmes must be arranged through the careers leads at our partner schools.
We will provide you with a Work Experience Guide for Students which will give you all the information you will need to prepare for your placement
Sheffield Children’s Foundation Trust has five sites in the city. Sheffield Children’s Hospital on Western Bank, the Becton Centre, Ryegate, Centenary House, National Centre for Child Health Technology. Some teams also work in the community.
If you are apply for work experience with the Trust – your role could take place at one or more of our sites or in the community.
Work experience is available in a variety of specialisms and departments across the Trust, both clinical and non-clinical.
No, you need to be currently at school or college and meet the entry criteria to apply for a work experience placement
Work experience placements are 5 days long, within school holidays
All eligible students wishing to participate in a Work Experience placement must complete a Occupational Health Questionnaire. This is processed by the Trust’s Occupational Health department. They may contact you if further information is required or if extra support needs to be put in place. This is to protect both students and our vulnerable patient groups.
You will be required to provide evidence of your full childhood vaccinations as part of this process. If you are unable to provide this, or do not get clearance from the Occupational Health department, the placement cannot go ahead.
You will receive an email to confirm we have received your application. We will review, shortlist and inform you of the outcome. If you do not receive any emails, please check your junk or spam folder
You will then be informed of the next steps
Our programmes are run in the school and college holidays and for Sheffield Children’s staff, patients and students safety we will need to know who to contact in an emergency. Your parent or guardian will play a role in confirming your suitability for a programme. They will need to know and will help you understand the potential workplace risks which you could be exposed to.
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