The aim of the practice education pathway of the programme is to facilitate the development of the clinical skills of the student in the assessment and management of the needs of service users across the lifespan in health & social care environments. This practice education module provides supported opportunities for the student to observe and experience work as a novice level student practitioner. The student learns directly from contact with experienced practising speech and language therapists who are working in practice settings with service users. The module is planned and delivered in accordance with regulatory and professional approval requirements as set by CORU and the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists.

This is a practice placement module. Students will apply practice knowledge of speech and language therapy process and practice to novice-level clinical skills whilst on placement with specific direction from an experienced qualified speech and language therapist. Students will develop their clinical reasoning skills related to the population in the practice setting where they are placed.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Describe evidence for speech and language therapy assessment and intervention appropriate to the practice setting and the client's needs. Explain how the professional evidence base and findings related to the service user needs inform the speech and language therapy process. Apply clinical reasoning strategies to support decision-making in relation to the speech and language therapy process.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Act in a professional manner in a practice setting with commitment to person-centred practice. Value self-reflection as a means of critiquing their own performance and to further their professional development.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Manipulate and examine the mechanisms of speech and swallowing with direction from an experienced speech and language therapist where applicable to the practice setting.

The student will engage in experiential learning within a specified health or social care setting under the supervision of an experienced speech and language therapist. Additional support will also to be provided by staff within the University of Limerick. Students will attend tutorials prior to placement which will cover preparation for the placement experience and the assessment requirements for the module. Students will build on and maintain their clinical folder incorporating learning experiences, resources developed, reflections, and clinical hours logs. Curiosity and responsibility are developed through students need to apply theory to practice by seeking out evidence, discovering and preparing resources and supporting their practical learning on placement by self-study. Students will have the opportunity to become more articulate and agile through their interactions with the supervising speech and language therapist, clients, carers, and other professionals in the service setting. Texts and resources provided to students will be updated yearly to reflect recent research and developments in the relevant areas and guidance by regulatory bodies.