Work experience

Work experience placements have many benefits to pupils, including providing insights into the skills and attitudes needed to work in particular sectors or with certain employers. Schools and LEAs have a legal responsibility to look after the welfare of their pupils and must take reasonable steps to ensure work experience placements are safe.

Schools need to consider health and safety issues, insurance, hours and payments, subsistence, the reporting of accidents, limitations on the type of work and child protection issues.

Useful links:

BBC jobs - work experience
Information on work experience placements offered by the BBC and online application.

Managing health and safety on work experience - guide for organisers (pdf)
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance.

The Right Start - work experience for young people: health and safety basics for employers (pdf)
HSE guidance.