Work experience

DCSF published Guidance on the employment of children in August 2009. This outlines the special rules which apply to the employment of children under the school leaving age. It is aimed at local authorities (LAs), employers, parents and other stakeholders, and includes some best practice advice. Section 10 deals specifically with work experience and Section 15 deals with safeguarding children and young people.

Guidance on the employment of children

Advice for schools

Work experience is permitted by law only for students during Key Stage 4 and beyond. All arrangements for students in maintained schools must be made by the LA or the governing body of a school on their behalf.

Advice for employers

Employers are asked, when preparing a programme of work experience for a young person, to take responsibility for their social welfare as well as their physical welfare. Employers should do all they can to ensure their employee's relationships with young people on work experience are appropriate to their age and gender, and do not give rise to comment or speculation. Attitude, behaviour and language all require care and thought.

Paragraphs 2-7 of the Annex and Appendix 14 of Safeguarding children and safer recruitment in education provide guidance on these issues.