What you need to know?
Before implementing a work experience placement scheme within your place of work, it is important that you are aware of the basics.
DBS Checks
A DBS (formerly known as CRB) check, is not required for staff that will be supervising the young person on placement (between the ages of 15 - 17). A DBS check will only be required if an employee’s specific job purpose includes supervising young people under the age of 16 on work experience.
Therefore, employers have the right to refuse requests by education providers that requests DBS checks are carried out for young people between the ages of 15 - 17.
Visit the GOV.UK website for more infromation on the disclosure and barring service (DBS).
Liability insurance
Young people on work experience are now covered by the businesses, existing Employers Liability Insurance Policy. This is provided that your insurer is a member of the Association of British Insurers.
Visit the abi website for more information on liability insurance.
Assessments and management of young people
Employers are able to use existing arrangements for assessments and the management of young people. If employers have fewer than five employees, they are not required to have a written risk assessment.
However, if a young person has not been taken on in a few years, or if this is the first time a young person will be on a placement, it is important to ensure that care is taken in identifying the particular needs of the individual. To help provide you with a better understanding of the young person, you may review your existing risk assessments before their start date, or carry out a working risk assessment with the young person.
Pay and duration of a work placement
Young people can be taken on in a number of different ways, whether this be in the form of block placements or extended placements. Usually, if an employer hosts a young person of compulsory school age, for a short-term placement they are not required to pay them for their time.
Selecting candidates
Taking on a young person for a work experience placement, can help an employer to tap into a wider talent pool and reach individuals from diverse social backgrounds.
Be proactive in contacting education providers to discuss a work experience arrangement. This could be in the form of businesses implementing their company recruitment processes within the school or college, so that students gain first-hand experience of the recruitment process. This will allow you to identify the best person(s) for the available positions, whilst providing invaluable experience for the young people involved.
Employers locally are now increasing their ‘outreach’ activities and education providers are happy for the support. Whether this be providing a careers talk, attending a careers fair or mock interviews to name a few.