The Importance

of Work Related Learning

Safeguarding Young People &

Vulnerable Adultsin the Workplace

Brief Guide forEmployers

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Contents4 The Benefits of Work Related Learning5 Safeguarding Young People & Vulnerable Adults in

the Workplace 6 Safeguarding Commitment7 Learner Responsibilities8 Emergency Contact9 Be a Fair & Safe Employer 10 Useful Links

LMC promotes equality of opportunities in anenvironment free from discrimination.

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The Benefits of Work RelatedLearningThank you for being involved with Lancaster &Morecambe College by offering Work RelatedLearning. Agreeing to accept a learner into yourworkplace can have as many benefits to yourbusiness as it does to the learner:

• Supporting the local community through therelationship with the college

• Supporting the learning process by allowing the learnerto put into practice, theory learnt in the classroom.

• Preparing learners for working life and citizenship byproviding them with first-hand experience.

• Developing learners’ personal, social and employabilityskills.

• Developing the attitudes and skills required for theworld of work (for example: communication; workingwith others; problem solving).

• Fostering an understanding of the importance ofsensible health and safety in the workplace.

• Taking an active role in developing our future workforce.

Every learner will have a tutor/assessor who will beyour contact. You should contact them immediately ifyou have any concerns about the learner’s welfare orprogress.

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Safeguarding Young People &Vulnerable Adults in the WorkplaceAs an employer, you should be aware that learnersparticipating in Work Related Learning are legallyregarded as the Employer’s employees for thepurpose of health and safety and, as a result, theemployer has a particular duty of care to:

1. Assess risks to the learner/young person before theystart.

2. Ensure the risk assessment takes into account theirinexperience, immaturity, lack of awareness of existingor potential risks and any possible learning difficultiesor disabilities.

3. Introduce control measures to eliminate or minimiserisks - specific factors relating to the Learner must beaddressed in the risk assessment i.e. prohibit the use ofnamed pieces of equipment or tasks.

4. Allocate a suitable, competent supervisor, CRB checkedwhere appropriate, to the learner for the duration oftheir time with you.

5. Provide PPE, free of charge, if required.6. Communicate any key findings of the risk assessment

and control measures to the learner on or before theystart.

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Safeguarding CommitmentThe following are key points that you should be awareof and agree to maintain whilst the learner is withyou. This applies to all learners but particularly younglearners (under 18s) and vulnerable adults.

• Provide a safe environment for the learner.• Allocate a supervisor who will be responsible for the

learner and ensure they know who to speak to if theyhave a problem/concern.

• Ensure the supervisor is aware of their responsibility tothe learner’s safety and wellbeing.

• Identify risks and put control measures in place tominimise any risk of injury.

• The learning environment remains free fromdiscrimination, inequality and any actions that aredetrimental to the learner’s safety and wellbeing.

• Treat all employees fairly, with dignity and respect.• Contact LMC if you have any concerns or if the learner

is involved in a serious incident or accident.

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Learner ResponsibilitiesThe following is discussed with the learner prior tothem being placed with you:

• Be punctual and appropriately dressed.• On first day, find out the fire evacuation procedures and

specific Health & Safety rules that they need to beaware of.

• Never use equipment or machinery without being givenappropriate instruction and supervision.

• Wear PPE where provided and when required.• Adhere to rules and regulations within the workplace.• Keep confidential information confidential.• Contact Employer and tutor immediately if ill or unable

to attend.

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Your Emergency ContactPlease inform the college if any of the followingoccur whilst the learner is with you:

• A learner has an accident reportable under RIDDOR.• A learner develops a work related health issue.• You become concerned over a safeguarding matter or

child protection issue relating to the learner.

Follow your own company’s procedure, in addition,please also contact Louise Evans, Head of Estates,Safety & Wellbeing at Lancaster & MorecambeCollege on 01524 521417 or e-mail hsw@lmc.ac.uk assoon as possible.

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Be a Fair & Safe Employer • Carry out induction and ongoing safety training.• Keep yourself up to date – react to changes in Health &

Safety laws.• Review Personal Protective Equipment provision

regularly.• Review Risk Assessments & control measures regularly

and if an incident/near miss occurs.• Protect young people and vulnerable adults in the

workplace.• Treat everyone fairly with dignity and respect.

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Useful LinksFor additional information relating to the learner’shealth and safety refer to the following websites.

www.hse.gov.uk

www.hse.gov.uk/workers/employers.htm

www.hse.gov.uk/youngpeople

www.britsafe.org (British Safety Council)

www.RoSPA.com(accident prevention)

www.hse.gov.uk/riddor (accident reporting)

www.health4work.nhs.uk(NHS advice for small businesses)

www.oeapng.info (guidance for outdoor learning)

Specific information relating to Risk Assessments canbe found on the HSE website.

This booklet can be found online atwww.lmc.ac.uk/college/publications

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Morecambe RoadLancaster, LA1 2TY

01524 66215www.lmc.ac.ukinfo@lmc.ac.uk