Health & Safety clarification for work experience students

The Government has outlined plans to make it easier for employers to take on work experience students, as some firms have been hampered in the past by the prospect of special risk assessments for young people.

The Health and Safety Executive has now issued revised guidance to employers and the Department for Education has worked with Ofsted to publish guidance on how Ofsted will inspect Health and Safety for work experience students.

Finally, to give employers peace of mind, the Association of British Insurers is offering reassurance that firms don’t have to take out special policies to cover students on work experience.

Minister for Employment, Mark Hoban, says: “Too often in the past, the crazy cornucopia of confusing rules discouraged employers from taking young people on. That’s why we have been working across Government to make sure the rules are clear and easy to understand.”

Minister for Skills, Matthew Hancock, adds: “The new guidance radically reduces the burdens placed on schools and local businesses. ‘Sensible questions’ will replace the mountains of paperwork which has resulted in many businesses refusing to offer work experience to young people.”