I always started with a risk assessment and then complete a mini induction with a Safe System of Work for the tasks they would experience or complete. This would be done with the student and ideally a member of staff from the school to varify that training had been given. The school normally has its own paperwork etc that would need to be completed beforehand.

As pre-16's they are still legally children rather than just young persons so there is an additional level of care required. Howvere, this is not difficult to achieve. Review your existing risk assessments for the work or areas that you hope the child will be able to experience and check for matters that will require additional controls. Decide what these are and record them. These are usually things like constant supervision, limits on use of tools and prohibitions on activity or areas that you will probably see as common sense. There is also a duty to ensure your findings are shared with the parents or carers of the child. This is often done by the school after the assessment is agreed with you but best to check because the duty is with you. Finally you must assess each student for individual matters that could impact on your assessment. For example, a child may have asthma or be quite unable to carry weights that other bigger children may find acceptable. This is usually done on day 1 or if possible as part of the pre-placement set up Last of all, look at what you have produced and ask, does it outline the risks and controls to keep the child safe and can the parents or carers understand it in order to give their informed consent to their child attending. Can be done on one sheet of A4 at most and doesn't need to be full of risk ratings etc The type of placement you describe is quite common but you will need to check with clients on 3rd party sites that they are happy with a child accompanying your staff, not all will be. HTH but p.m. me if you need further help p48

Hi, We work with pre16 students. As mentioned check your risk assessments and take into account that some young people will require additional control measures. There was a case study I saw on the HSE website that a school was prosecuted because a guard on a machine was not suitable for a young person and he injured his hand. Make sure you have an induction for young people which may be different from one for adult members of staff and I have a training schedule on mine to show that the young person has been trained on your risk assessments and safe systems of work. As mentioned before you should contact your insurance company as there is a higher risk to young people due to their lack of experience Hope this helps Rob