Work Experience - Out of Area Placement Information
Work Placements in a Neighbouring Local Authority and Work Placements Abroad
Work Placements within the East Midlands Region
LEBC works closely with the East Midlands Regional Group consisting of Lincolnshire & Rutland, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire. Together the group has agreed a protocol for vetting employer placements to ensure the same standard of employer assessor, the assessing process and the documentation gathered and produced.
Where a learner is taking up a work related learning opportunity or work experience placement in a neighbouring Local Authority (within the East Midlands Region), the expectation is that the home learning base/school is to follow the guidance, as set out in the Local Authorities Code of Practice. In particular, where a health, safety and welfare check is being undertaken by an agency other than LEBC, LEBC must be satisfied that the checks are being carried out by competent persons and they operate their checks in line with Local Authorities standards and requirements.
It is a requirement with all placements that employers meet set health and safety criteria and that consideration is given to the young person on placement (i.e. possible lack of skills, confidence and maturity). Where a learner may undertake a placement in a neighbouring county additional consideration should be given to travel and possibly overnight arrangements by both the parents/carers and the home learning base/school following guidance on safeguarding procedures.
Work Placements outside the East Midlands Region
In the event of a home learning base/school wanting to place a student outside of the East Midlands Region (Lincolnshire & Rutland, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire or Northamptonshire), LEBC has agreed to visit employers in additional areas on behalf of home learning base/schools in Leicestershire – these areas consist of Staffordshire and some parts of Warwickshire to include Atherstone, Bedworth, Nuneaton, and Rugby (correct at January 2010).
Any other areas outside of those mentioned would have to be agreed through the Local Authority. The Local Authority has a responsibility to support self placements that are either not approved by LEBC or are currently outside the jurisdiction of any working agreements currently in place with LEBC. It is necessary to inform the Local Authority of such a situation as an Application Form will need to be completed and returned to the Local Authority for final approval.
All students on placement must be monitored by the home learning base/school by means of at least a phone call to both employer and student but preference is to have a competent staff member of the school visit the student on placement to check their progress and performance.
Work Placements Abroad
Work placements abroad do have the benefit of offering a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity for a learner. However, the necessity to safeguard and promote the welfare of a learner should not be underestimated. Placements abroad are not approved for students under 16 years of age and it would be suggested that this takes place during holiday periods when the duty of care becomes that of the parent/carer and not the home learning base/school, nor would it be as part of, or counted towards a recognised work related learning programme.
Where a home learning base/school is approached by a learner or parent(s)/carer(s) regarding a work placement abroad, the approach should be referred to a senior manager with responsibility for work related learning within the home learning base/school.
The senior manager for work related learning should then contact his/her respective Local Authority to discuss the following, bearing in mind the official stance of each authority:
- The health and safety regulations of the country in question;
- The differences in insurance requirements
- The challenges associated with a different language and culture
- Assessment of risks involved in travelling, including health and vaccination requirements;
- Provision of contacts, if the learner has any worries or problems, and who to contact during an emergency and how easily the situation can be managed from their home learning base/school environment.
- Additional preparation required, so the learner knows what to expect and what is required of him/her.
Leicester Maintained Schools
It is the view of Leicester City Children and Young People’s Service (CYPS) that maintained schools that come under its jurisdiction in terms of safeguarding, should not arrange work placements abroad. For further discussion and explanation of this policy decision, contact should be made with the following services within CYPS:
- Safeguarding Unit – 0116 299 5880
- Health and Safety Team – 0116 252 7709
Leicestershire Maintained Schools
Leicestershire Children and Young People’s Service (CYPS) has taken the view that, maintained schools within its jurisdiction in terms of safeguarding should not arrange work placements abroad, unless it can be proven that, this experience is essential to fulfill the requirements of a vocational placement, and it can be proven that the experience offered is not available within the United Kingdom. Under these circumstances, contact should be made with the following services within CYPS in order to obtain advice:
Health, Safety and Training Service – 0116 305 6363
Insurance Manager, County Treasurer – 0116 305 7658
Residential and Outdoor Education – 01509 890119
Safeguarding Unit – 0116 305 7409
