Responsibilities

Health and Safety

Meet all the health and safety requirements as directed by the work placement team ensuring all risks are controlled prior to the start of the placement.

Preparation

Find out about the young person’s abilities and interests to help you to develop a suitable programme. This could be done by including an application process prior to agreeing a placement.

Planning

Plan a schedule of activities/tasks for the young person to undertake during their placement. Consideration should be given to making it as close to a real work environment as possible.

Supervision

Identify a member of staff to support and supervise the young person on placement.

Awareness

Brief your team about the young person’s placement and ensure they know the placement plan; the young person’s allocated supervisor and the team’s role in contributing to success of the placement.

Induction

Carry out an induction at the start of the placement which will provide the young person with appropriate training and guidance, including a health and safety briefing and any PPE required.

Communication

Inform your school contact, provided before the placement, if the young person does not attend, is absent/ill or if you have any concerns during the placement.

Feedback

Give constructive feedback to the young person at the end of the placement and seek their views on the placement.

Reflection

Have a debrief session with your team and identify any improvements to your programme and feed back to the work placement team as appropriate.

Coordination

Overall management and coordination of their work placement programme.

Verification

Ensure all placements have been approved according to their local authority‘s management of work placement arrangements prior to the placement start date.

Validation

Check for age restrictions - The Education (Scotland) Act 1980 states that pupils below the statutory school leaving age can participate in work placements from 1 May prior to their statutory leaving year.

Preparation

Prepare young people for their placement including acceptable behaviour, procedures for emergencies, sickness/ absence/lateness reporting and general health and safety guidance.

Suitability

Match the placement to align with the young person’s studies, career aspirations, abilities and capabilities.

Information

Need to share appropriate information about on the young person in relation to their physical, social and emotional wellbeing and any specific support needs (in compliance with Data Protection).

Communication

Provide a named staff member to liaise with the employer to provide support and guidance whenever necessary.

Support

Make regular contact with the young person during their placement and support them to maximise their learning from the placement.

Reflection

Ensure the quality assurance process includes input from both the employer and the young person and feedback any ideas for enhancements to the programme.