The Learning Disability Pre Registration Pathway has been running a unique 2nd year module over the past 5 years, where students have had the opportunity to be placed within family units with a child with a learning disability in situ. In 2005 Sheffield Hallam University wrote a highly complimentary article on the unique learning opportunity that such a placement provides, with special attention to the exchange of learning and user empowerment.

The NMC review of the Learning disability department also commended the family placement as best practice in 2005 and the QAA also commend the placement as best practice in 2006.

Due to the user involvement (children and families), an evaluation of the placement experience has been carried out following each delivery and we now have over 3 years of data.The data has been taken from a total of 60 students who have made up 8 intakes from October 2005 until March 2008, and 48 - 50 families some of whom have had students on more than one occasion.

There is a great need for continued and greatly improved engagement with such highly valued members of the population who often go without recognition for their value and skill in relation to care giving, which can be likened to the 'Expert Patient Initiative' DOH 2001 and knowledge and skills transfer, again which can be mirrored to life long learning.

Therefore this evaluation will be looking at not only the user (family) and student perspective from the family placement but the University contribution towards the DOH initiatives and benchmarks. Reports from this evaluation are expected later this year.

For further information please contact rena.williams@anglia.ac.uk