Information for parents/carers

What is work experience?

Work experience is when students spend time in an adult working environment carrying out tasks and duties more or less as an employee, but with the emphasis on learning about the world of work. The variety of placements is limited only by safety and security restrictions, insurance cover and by the availability of some types of work. The placement will not necessarily reflect the eventual career choice but should allow a broad experience of the world of work.

How long does it last?

Work experience normally lasts for one or two weeks. Some placements are for one or more days per week over several weeks or months.

Who is involved?

All students should have the opportunity to undertake a work experience placement in year 10 or 11. Many more students also have a placement in year 12 or 13.

How does it help the student?

Work experience helps students to:

• Understand the world of work
• Improve and appreciate their skills and talents
• Gain confidence
• Accept the importance of school and college work
• Gain knowledge of particular jobs or careers

Organisation of the placement

Work experience organisation varies from school to school and in some cases is organised by the Work Experience Scheme Central Placement Service. In most cases your son/daughter will be asked to complete an application form and will be matched with placement offers. 

Where students/parents organise placements themselves, it is imperative that the school receives details in sufficient time (at least 8 weeks) before work experience begins, so that insurance and health and safety checks can be carried out. Students are generally discouraged from taking placements with their own parents, friends or part-time employer.

Planning the placement

You can help your son/daughter by:

• Discussing types of placement that would be of interest
• Encouraging unusual ambitions eg non-traditional placements
• Ensuring the application form is filled in neatly and returned promptly to school

Information you should receive

Details of the placement from the school including:

• Name and address of placement provider
• Contact name and telephone number
• Brief details of the tasks and learning objectives
• Dates and hours of work
• Other special requirements eg clothing, vaccinations etc

From the placement provider: (if your son/daughter is of compulsory school age):

• Information about any significant hazards in the work place and measures taken to eliminate or minimise the risks that they present to the student

Final preparations

The school will brief students prior to work experience on:

• Health and safety in the work place
• Standard of behaviour expected
• What to do if things go wrong

Interview/Previsit

You can help by ensuring that your son/daughter knows the answers to the following questions:

• How do I get to my placement?
• How long does it take to get there?
• Who do I report to on the first day?
• What are the hours of work and arrangements for lunch?
• What do I need to wear?

During the placement

Work experience can be quite a challenge. You can help by:

• Checking that the placement is going well
• Encouraging a mature response to any difficulties
• Encouraging your son/daughter to persevere even if the placement is not what they expected
• Letting the school know if there is a real problem
• Checking that the work experience diary is completed regularly
• Informing the school and the employer if your son/daughter is sick

A teacher will normally visit the student while he/she is on placement.

Insurance and Health and Safety

All employers providing work experience placements must be approved by the Oxfordshire County Council Work Experience Scheme. The scheme checks that employers have the necessary insurance to cover students and that appropriate health and safety arrangements are in place. Oxfordshire County Council also insures students against personal injury that is not the employer’s fault. Parents of Year 10 and 11 students will be asked to sign a form giving consent for their son/daughter to take part in work experience. You will also be asked to provide information on any relevant medical conditions that may affect the choice of placement or that the placement provider should be aware of.

Hours of work

These will usually be the hours worked by young employees of the organisation and will normally be longer than school hours but not more than a standard eight hour day (excluding breaks) .Students should not work for more than five days in any consecutive seven day period.

Travel to work

Oxfordshire County Council insurance does not cover injury to students travelling to and from work experience. Parents must assume their normal responsibilities for their child’s safety when travelling to and from a work placement.

Payment

Work experience is part of students’ education and employers should make no payment for work performed.

Confidentiality

Students are expected to hold in confidence any information about the employing organisation that they may obtain during work experience.

Reporting accidents

Placement providers are required to report any accident or incident involving a student to the school. If you have any concerns please contact the school.

After the placement

Many young people find work experience is a key influence on their choice of career and in developing their self-esteem.

• Talk over what your son/daughter has gained from the experience
• Discuss whether it has changed their career and training plans