Work placements and shadowing

Shadowing can be one of the most powerful ways to inspire the next generation of chiropractors. For many students, spending time in a clinic is their first real insight into the profession and can help them decide whether chiropractic is the right career path. To ensure shadowing is valuable for students, respectful to patients and compliant with your professional responsibilities, it's important to approach it thoughtfully.

Start with patient consent

Patients should always be informed beforehand if a student will be observing their appointment.

  • Explain who the student is and why they are visiting.
  • Make it clear that participation is entirely voluntary and be prepared to discuss any questions or concerns
  • Obtain verbal consent before the appointment begins.
  • Respect a patient's decision if they decline.

Students should never observe a consultation or examination without the patient's knowledge and agreement.

Set clear expectations

Before the visit, provide students with basic information about:

  • What they can expect to see.
  • Appropriate behaviour in a clinical environment.
  • Professional standards and confidentiality.
  • Clinic dress code.
  • Arrival and departure times.

A simple welcome pack or email can help students feel more prepared and professional.

Risk Assessment

Carry out a risk assessment regarding the individual involved (covering general health & safety matters and your hygiene risk assessment framework). Equip the student with appropriate PPE, as required by your clinic protocols.

Anyone coming to the clinic as a job shadow/work experience/observer should also be familiarised with fire safety procedures.  

Emphasise patient confidentiality

Students should understand that anything they observe in clinic is confidential.

Good practice is to ask shadowing students to sign a simple confidentiality agreement before their visit, covering:

  • Patient privacy.
  • Personal information.
  • Clinical discussions.
  • Records and documentation.

Students should not have access to patient records or clinical systems, or be allowed to use their phones throughout their time shadowing.

Focus on observation, not participation

Shadowing should primarily be observational. Students should not:

  • Provide treatment.
  • Offer advice to patients.
  • Assist with examinations.
  • Handle confidential records.

Instead, encourage them to observe and reflect on:

  • Communication skills.
  • Clinical reasoning.
  • Patient-centred care.
  • The running of a healthcare practice.
  • The wider role chiropractors play within healthcare.

Explain the reality of practice

Students often arrive expecting to see techniques and treatments. While these are important, take time to explain the wider profession too. Talk about:

  • Patient communication.
  • Professional responsibilities.
  • Continuing professional development.
  • Ethics and regulation.
  • Running a clinic.
  • Working with other healthcare professionals.

Helping students understand the full picture creates a more meaningful experience.

Create Opportunities for Questions

Some of the most influential moments happen between appointments. Build in time to discuss:

  • Why you chose chiropractic.
  • What you enjoy about the profession.
  • The challenges of practice.
  • University pathways.
  • Career opportunities.

Be honest and balanced. Students benefit most from authentic conversations.

Consider safeguarding

Definitions of young people and children by age

  • A young person is anyone under 18.    
  • A child is anyone who has not yet reached the official minimum school leaving age (MSLA). Pupils will reach the MSLA in the school year in which they turn 16. 

For those under the age of 18

Under Health & Safety law, work experience students are classed as employees.    

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, you’re responsible for ensuring that young people employed by you (including those doing job shadowing/work experience/observation) are not exposed to risk due to:

  • Lack of experience;
  • Being unaware of existing or potential risks;   
  • Lack of maturity

The school or college organising the placement will probably want to check that you have risk management arrangements in place.

  • For environments with risks less familiar to the individual, you will need to manage these risks. This will include induction, supervision, site familiarisation, and protective equipment (incl. hygiene risk assessment).     
  • If you have specialist equipment such as lasers and x-ray facilities on the premises, you should factor this into your assessment.    
  • It is important to check that the individual has understood the instruction and training which will include, for example: the hazards and risks in the workplace and the health and safety precautions in place.    
  • Check that the individual knows how to raise any health and safety concerns.

Extra considerations for those under 16

Those under 16 (MSLA) are considered a child, so in addition to the considerations above, you may also have further responsibilities for safeguarding.    

It’s recommended that you only consider a person aged 14 or 15 (under 14 would not be advisable) as a job shadow/work experience person/observer if they are part of a structured scheme from a school or college. This allows you to consult with the school on safeguarding requirements.   

If you have specific queries about health & safety for a job shadow/work experience person/observer in the workplace contact Make UK on 0121 456 0233.    

Quote British Chiropractic Association and subscription number, 9000013410.

Insurance

The advice provided in this guide only applies to clinics/practices insured through BCA Insurance Services (Employers Liability). 

Individuals doing shadowing/work experience are regarded as employees for the purposes of the insurance policy and would therefore fall within the scope of Employers’ Liability cover, subject to the policy terms and conditions. This includes ensuring that suitable risk assessments are completed and that individuals are familiar with the practice’s health and safety procedures, including fire and emergency arrangements.

If your clinic or practice is insured with an insurer other than BCA Insurance Services, confirmation of cover should be obtained directly from that insurer.

Make it meaningful

Not every clinic can offer week-long placements and that's okay. Even two hours of your time could inspire a future chiropractor and make a lasting difference to the profession we all care about.

By opening your clinic to students, you're not just providing work experience, you're helping secure the longevity of a profession that has supported communities for generations.

A few hours of your time could inspire a future chiropractor and make a lasting difference to the profession we all care about.