At Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), the Allied Health Profession (AHP) Mental Health Practice Education Facilitator (PEF) Team supports the development of high-quality, practice-based learning opportunities in mental health for pre-registration AHP students.
Aligned with HEIW’s aim to develop a skilled, sustainable workforce that improves patient care, these placements offer hands-on experiences that help students build the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in mental health roles—and support mental health across all specialisms.
As part of the Strategic Mental Health Workforce Plan, the AHP PEF Team works collaboratively with partners across Wales to shape the future of AHP practice education.
Interested to learn more about working in the AHP PEF Team? Laura Low, shares insights into her day…
Morning
My day begins with a meeting with a voluntary council in Wales to learn more about the inspiring social prescribing work they provide in support of people living with mental health conditions. We explore potential collaboration opportunities to develop practice-based learning experiences and projects for AHP students that could offer mutual benefits. We agree to connect with colleagues in the local health board to discuss how these initiatives might complement and enrich student placements.
This is followed by a meeting with the HEIW Information Governance Team to ensure that we have the required Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) in place to welcome our first pre-registration physiotherapy students to the team in September. This is a practical step in developing our exciting pilot HEIW leadership placement that will support leadership capabilities in the future AHP workforce. Placement governance forms a central part of the PEF role to ensure we grow placement capacity that is safe, high-quality, and sustainable.
I make time to stop for lunch—a small but important act of self-care in a busy day!
Afternoon
After lunch I draft the Terms of Reference for an upcoming task and finish group meeting.
We are bringing together a fantastic group of colleagues from across Wales, representing a range of AHPs. These colleagues kindly volunteer their time and expertise to help shape a new resource.
Our aim is to develop a practical and engaging guide that showcases the value of practice-based learning (PBL) in mental health settings. It includes clear examples from practice, reflective questions, cross-sector working tips, and practical ideas to support student learning. This group’s experience, insight, and feedback are vital in shaping a meaningful and useful tool for educators and placement providers. Our summer student intern helps ensure that the student perspective remains central to the resource.
Before heading home, I catch up with a Speech and Language Therapy lecturer who is leading an innovative, mental health-focused placement in collaboration with their local public health team. As AHP PEFs, a key part of our role is to showcase good practice and promote shared learning across professions. I am delighted that she agrees to share her experiences at our practice-based learning webinar in September - a brilliant opportunity to inspire and inform others across Wales and beyond!
Evening
In the early evening, I attend a Teams call with the practice-based learning coordinator at a local university to support a group of pre-registration dietetic students preparing for a brand-new placement opportunity. As a team, we are launching a pilot placement in the private sector, in collaboration with the HEI and Health Board partners, using long-arm supervision - a first for dietetics in Wales. This approach to supervision can be an effective way to increase placement capacity and provide students with diverse learning experiences.
The Teams session is an important opportunity to help the students get ready for their placement, as we talk through logistics, their upcoming project, and questions.
The students will lead an interprofessional catering project focused on advocating for the physical health and nutritional needs of people with learning disabilities and mental health conditions. It’s a truly meaningful initiative and a genuinely uplifting way to end the day.
Learn more
If you would like to get in touch, please contact the Allied Health Profession (AHP) Mental Health Practice Education Facilitator (PEF) Team.