Legal compliance for industry placements

When you host a T Level student, you take on some of the same responsibilities you already have for your own staff. 
This page explains what you must do, what your school or college will do, and how to work together to make sure placements are safe, compliant, and successful. 

Before the placement starts 

Your school or college will support you with every step. Together you’ll check: 

• Health and safety 
• Risk assessments 
• Insurance 
• Safeguarding and DBS checks 
• Prevent (keeping students safe from radicalisation) 
• Equality and reasonable adjustments 
• Data protection and confidentiality 

You’ll both agree any actions before the student begins. 

Health and safety 

You must: 

• Provide a safe working environment. 
• Give students a proper induction and training. 
• Make sure tasks are suitable for their age and experience. 
• Supervise them appropriately at all times. 
• If your business is in a higher-risk sector (for example construction, agriculture or manufacturing): 
• Review the age restrictions for machinery or hazardous tasks. 
• Make sure any students using equipment are old enough and properly trained. 
• If you work with partners or subcontractors: 
  You’re responsible for checking, they have suitable health and safety arrangements in place too. 

If you don’t comply: 

• You could be liable if a student is injured or unsafe while working for you. Your insurer may also refuse to cover claims. 

Find out more: 
HSE: Young people and work experience guidance 

Risk assessment 

You must: 

• Complete or review a risk assessment before the placement starts. 
• Update it if new risks appear. 
• Involve your school or college in identifying any specific concerns. 
• For remote or hybrid placements, assign a mentor or buddy to check on the student’s wellbeing regularly. 

Insurance 

Your existing Employers’ Liability Insurance normally covers students on industry placements, provided your insurer is an ABI or Lloyd’s member.

You do not usually need additional insurance. This reflects the national Health and Safety Executive (HSE) position for work experience learners.

You should:

• Check your policy is up to date.
• Inform your insurer you are hosting a student (especially for placements over two weeks or involving atypical tasks).
• Contact your insurer if you are unsure whether your cover applies.

If you work with partners or subcontractors:

• Confirm that their insurance also covers the student.

Safeguarding 

Schools and colleges are legally responsible for the welfare of their students - but you must cooperate fully. 

You should: 

• Have safeguarding policies in place and follow them. 
• Avoid situations where a staff member is alone with a student. 
• Keep regular contact with the provider about how the student is doing. 
• DBS checks:  
• Your provider will advise whether staff supervising students need a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. 
• Basic DBS checks may be requested where students are under 18 or vulnerable. 
• Enhanced DBS checks are only required in specific sectors (for example health or early years) or when staff are providing personal care. 

If you don’t comply: 

You risk breaching safeguarding law and could be prevented from hosting students in future. 

Find out more: 
GOV.UK: DBS checks 

Prevent (protecting students from radicalisation) 

Schools and colleges must protect students from being drawn into extremism. You and your staff play a part by staying alert and reporting any concerns. 

Your provider will brief you on: 

• How to recognise possible risks. 
• How to raise a concern quickly. 

Find out more: 
Prevent duty guidance for England and Wales 

Equality and reasonable adjustments 

You must follow the Equality Act 2010.  This means treating all students fairly and making reasonable adjustments for those with disabilities or additional needs. 

Your school or college will: 

• Share relevant information (with the student’s consent). 
• Work with you to agree adjustments before the placement begins. 

Data access and security 

Your normal data protection and cyber-security procedures apply to placement students. 

You must: 

• Follow the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. 
• Limit access to confidential or sensitive data. 
• Provide guidance and training before the student handles any personal information. 

Find out more: 
Information Commissioner’s Office: Guide to data protection 

Consequences of non-compliance 

Failing to meet legal or insurance requirements could result in: 

• Liability for accidents or data breaches. 
• Withdrawal of your right to host placements. 
• Potential legal or reputational consequences. 
• Always speak to your school or college if you’re unsure about any requirement — they’re there to help. 

Quick compliance checklist 

Support and further help 

Your school or college will help with: 

• Risk assessment templates 
• DBS check arrangements 
• Safeguarding advice 
• Reporting procedures 
• Reviewing policies if needed