Work
experience is an important part of preparing students for employment. It enables
students to learn about the world of work in a real life working environment.
For information contact Caroline Sharpe on 01724 296249, email caroline.sharpe@northlincs.gov.uk.
Work
experience gives students an understanding of working life and the skills needed
in the workplace. A company will generally not be used if a student has a part
time job there or if their parents work there. Before starting, students look
at equal opportunities and stereotyping. All students need and benefit from
real knowledge in the world of work.
Students
eligible to take part in work experience
Students
in the last two years of compulsory schooling can take part in work experience
(from the start of year 10).
What
students should do while on work experience
As
far as possible students should undertake real tasks to give them an idea of
the work carried out by the employer. They should learn how the company is organised.
Some students may see the more complicated parts of running a company. This
will give them an understanding of how enterprise, creativity and innovation
help business growth.
A
programme should be organised for the student, and employers should monitor
what the student has achieved. Every student should have a work experience log
book where they can record their progress. The employer can help by making sure
the student completes this and by completing the employer assessment section
for the student.
Role
of the parents / guardians
Parents
or guardians can offer valuable support when finding placements for students.
Written consent is needed from the parents / guardians before a placement can
begin. They will be given information about the placement. They will also know
how to contact the school if their child has any problems with their placement.
Before their child starts, parents / guardians are asked to provide any medical
information that could affect the health, safety or welfare of their child while
on work placement.
Limits
on the jobs students can do
There
are limitations on the type of work that students can experience. The school
work experience co-ordinator can give advice on this.
How
the school makes arrangements
The
work experience co-ordinator will plan a scheme of work for the student. The
scheme will cover health and safety preparation and the briefing of students
before going on work experience. When a company is interested in providing work
experience for a student, it will be sent contact details and the work experience
programme. Parents, employers and students then complete an approval and consent
form. The form shows that all parties agree with the arrangements.
Placement
suitability visit
The
school will assess the placement provider. The organisers ensure the company
will meet the student's health, safety and welfare needs while on work experience.
Specific
risk assessment for young workers
Employers
need to inform students of their main duties and tasks. They need to make clear
the type of work they want the student to carry out. They also need to explain
any risks and remind the students of their responsibilities while on placement.
Parents or guardians will be told of these risks. There is a piece in the employer
section of the approval and consent form for this. If parents / guardians or
employers have any queries they can contact the work experience co-ordinator.
Health
and safety at work
The
importance of health and safety at work will be taught before the work experience
starts. Students will be shown their own responsibility for health and safety
at work. The employer, at the start of the placement, will reinforce the health
and safety responsibilities.
Employment
regulations give all school students receiving training the same protection
and duties as employees. This is under the health and safety at work act and
other relevant statutory provisions.
The
need for employers to inform parents / guardians of the outcome of their risk
assessment is under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
1999. The approval and consent form will enable employers to do this if they
wish.
The
general duty of care that teachers owe to students extends to the arranging
of placements.
The
employer is the person most responsible for the health and safety of the student
while on work experience.
The
employer must explain fire, first aid and accident reporting procedures to the
student.
The
employer must explain to the student any hazards associated with the work area
and the work to be done. The importance of following safe working practices
must also be emphasised.
Where
needed, safety equipment and protective clothing must be available to the student.
It
is in everyone's interest that the employer ensures adequate supervision throughout
the placement. Supervisors should be aware of the purpose of the work experience.
They must have a good knowledge of health and safety and know a bit about the
student working with them.
Medical
information on students
The
schools will consider the health of every student before any placement is chosen.
For example, a student would be advised to avoid dusty places if he or she suffers
from asthma. The employer must be informed if a student is on medication. Parents
/ guardians are asked to provide any medical information that may affect the
safety and welfare of their child while they are on placement.
Reporting
of accidents, incidents and dangerous occurrences
The
employer has a duty to report any accidents, incidents or dangerous occurrences
involving the student that happen on site. These should be reported to the head
teacher or work experience co-ordinator. The employer should also try and contact
the parents or guardians at home if a telephone number has been provided.
Child
protection issues
Schools
prepare students to dealing with and reporting incidents that they feel uncomfortable
with during their work placement. Employers also need to take account of child
protection issues under the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000.
Insurance
arrangements
The
employers insurance company must be informed of an employers’ intention to take
on a work experience student. If a student will be travelling in a vehicle for
the purposes of work, the vehicle insurance must cover them.
There
are six principal areas of risk that may arise in the course of work experience:
- Injury
to students
- Injury
to others on the premises
- Injury
to others not on the premises
- Damage
to or loss of employers' property
- Damage
to or loss of other property
- Damage
to or loss of employee's property
Where
a liability can be demonstrated then:
Injuries
caused to others on the premises, others not on the premises, damage to others
property and damage to employee's property should normally be covered by the
employer's Public Liability Insurance policy.
Damage
to the employer's own property should normally be covered by the employer's
Material Damage policy.
Injuries
to the student while on work experience will be covered by the employer's Employers
Liability Insurance policy.
Students
will be made aware that if they cause injury or damage through a deliberate
act, they will not be covered by insurance. They may also be required to meet
the cost of any compensation the courts may award.
Teacher
visits to placement providers
The
work experience scheme requires a member of staff to visit the employer during
the placement. This enables the teacher to monitor and review the progress of
the student. Where a visit is deemed not to be reasonably practicable e.g. out
of the area, the school will contact the employer.
Hours
of work
The
employer, school and student agree the number and pattern of hours worked. Where
possible, standard working hours are encouraged. There is legislation in place
that specifies hours that students cannot work outside of.
Pay,
tax and national insurance
Students
taking part in work experience do so voluntary and do not get paid. They will
therefore not have to pay tax or national insurance. Employers can assist with
travelling or lunch costs if they wish.
Length
of work experience
There
are no fixed requirements for how long a student works on placement for. A block
of five to ten days is the average length of stay. This allows the placement
to be of enough depth to be of use. Students on an extended work experience
need to work at least one day per week if the experience is to be of real value.
Lunch
and break periods
Parents
/ guardians should discuss the arrangements for lunch and break periods with
their child. They should then make sure these arrangements are suitable. If
a student leaves the premises during lunch or break periods, liability cannot
be accepted if any incident occurs.
Out
of the area work placements
Some
students wish to do work experience outside of the area. Travel or accommodation
must be organised by the parents / guardians in such cases. There may be problems
with getting a placement suitability visit in these cases. The work experience
co-ordinator should be the first point of contact if information on this is
required.
Who
to contact at the school if there is a problem
People
can contact the work experience co-ordinator at all times throughout the placement.
The name and contact details of the co-ordinator will be given out before the
work placement starts.
The work placement procedure can be read below. Please note
you'll need a portable document format (PDF) file to
view it. This can then be downloaded for free from Adobe
Acrobat (full instructions for downloading the
reader are provided on the website).
