NEET Futures Placement Policy

The purpose of this policy is to set out how Street Lights Collective CIC will safely plan, arrange, monitor and review placements, work experience opportunities, employer engagement activity, training pathways, volunteering opportunities, apprenticeship routes and other progression opportunities delivered through the NEET Futures Initiative.

This policy exists to protect young people, families, staff, volunteers, practitioners, employers, education partners and the reputation of Street Lights Collective CIC. It ensures that placements are not arranged informally or simply because an opportunity exists. Every placement must be purposeful, safe, suitable, supervised and connected to the young person’s development.

This policy should be read alongside the Street Lights Collective CIC Safeguarding Policy, Risk Assessment Policy, Safer Recruitment Policy, Data Protection Policy, Mentoring and Boundaries Policy, Online Safety and Social Media Policy, Incident Reporting Policy, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, Financial Controls Policy and Code of Conduct Policy.

The NEET Futures Initiative is Street Lights Collective CIC’s futures, next steps and progression programme for young people who are at risk of becoming, or who are already, not in education, employment or training.

Street Lights recognises that many young people do not lack potential. They lack access, exposure, confidence, networks, preparation, trusted guidance and clear next steps. A young person without a plan can quickly become a young person without hope. The NEET Futures Initiative exists to interrupt that journey and create supported pathways into education, employment, training, placements, apprenticeships, enterprise and meaningful opportunity.

The programme is rooted in the Street Lights ethos of Presence. Power. Purpose.

Presence means walking with young people through the transition from uncertainty to direction.

Power means helping young people recognise their strengths, agency and ability to contribute.

Purpose means connecting young people to real opportunities, practical preparation and future pathways.

This policy applies to all NEET Futures activity organised, arranged, recommended, brokered or supported by Street Lights Collective CIC.

This may include:

• Work experience placements.

Short employer visits and workplace tasters.

Longer term placement opportunities.

Apprenticeship preparation and introductions.

College, training provider and employment pathway introductions.

Volunteering opportunities used as a progression pathway.

Enterprise, business, creative, sport, technology, trade or community based placements.

Mentoring linked to future planning and employability.

Online, hybrid or remote placement activity.

Any placement involving external employers, local businesses, community organisations, social enterprises, charities or partners.

This policy applies to directors, staff, sessional workers, trauma informed practitioners, volunteers, mentors, advisors, delivery partners, employers, placement hosts, youth ambassadors and any person acting on behalf of Street Lights Collective CIC.

Street Lights Collective CIC will keep this policy aligned with relevant UK law, statutory guidance and recognised good practice. This includes:

• Working Together to Safeguard Children.

Keeping Children Safe in Education where working with schools and education settings.

The Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004.

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR.

Equality Act 2010.

Modern Slavery Act 2015.

HSE guidance on young people at work and work experience.

Relevant local safeguarding partnership procedures.

Under health and safety law, employers hosting young people for work experience have responsibility for the young person’s health, safety and welfare while they are in the workplace. Street Lights Collective CIC, as a placement organiser or broker, will take reasonable steps to satisfy itself that placement related risks are understood and managed by the host organisation.

All NEET Futures placements must be guided by the following principles.

Safety first. No placement should proceed unless safeguarding, health and safety, travel and contextual risks have been considered.

Purposeful progression. Placements must support the young person’s development, confidence, skills, exposure or next steps.

Informed consent. Young people and where appropriate parents, carers, schools or referrers must understand the purpose, expectations and risks of the placement.

Suitability. Opportunities must be suitable for the young person’s age, needs, strengths, confidence, safeguarding context and readiness.

Trauma informed practice. Young people must be supported with dignity, patience, clear expectations, compassion and accountability.

Cultural relevance. The young person’s background, identity, lived experience and community context should be understood and respected.

No exploitation. Placements must not be used to obtain free labour, expose young people to unsafe practice or place unrealistic expectations on them.

Clear supervision. Every placement must have a named supervisor and clear contact route.

Right to stop. A placement may be paused or ended if safety, safeguarding, conduct, wellbeing or suitability concerns arise.

Learning and review. Placement activity must be recorded, reviewed and used to strengthen future practice.

Street Lights Collective CIC will use a structured placement pathway to reduce risk and improve outcomes.

Referral or identification of a young person who may benefit from placement support.

Initial conversation with the young person to understand interests, goals, strengths, concerns and readiness.

Consent and information gathering, including parent or carer consent where required.

Risk and safeguarding screening, including contextual safeguarding considerations.

Identification of suitable placement options.

Due diligence on the host organisation.

Placement risk assessment and agreement.

Preparation session with the young person.

Placement start, induction and confirmation of supervision.

Monitoring contact during the placement.

Review of learning, attendance, conduct, wellbeing and next steps.

Exit plan, progression route or follow up support.

Street Lights Collective CIC will assess whether a young person is ready and suitable for a placement before any opportunity is confirmed.

Suitability considerations may include:

• Age and legal requirements.

Personal interests and aspirations.

Emotional readiness.

Attendance and reliability.

Communication needs.

Safeguarding concerns.

Mental health and wellbeing considerations.

Special educational needs or disability.

Risk of exploitation or peer pressure.

Postcode, travel or community safety risks.

Any court orders, bail conditions, school conditions or social care plans.

The young person’s ability to follow reasonable instructions and boundaries.

Whether the placement is likely to support their future direction.

A young person must not be placed into an opportunity simply to occupy their time. The placement must have a clear purpose and must be suitable for their needs and context.

Before a placement begins, Street Lights Collective CIC will provide preparation appropriate to the young person and the placement type.

Preparation may include:

• Understanding the purpose of the placement.

Discussing expectations, attendance, punctuality and communication.

Explaining workplace conduct and professional boundaries.

Discussing confidentiality and respectful behaviour.

Travel planning and emergency contact arrangements.

Health and safety basics.

How to raise a concern.

Who the named supervisor is.

What to do if they feel unsafe or overwhelmed.

What support Street Lights will provide during and after the placement.

Preparation should be trauma informed. Staff should not assume that a young person knows how to navigate a workplace, speak to adults, manage anxiety, respond to correction or ask for help. These skills should be taught and rehearsed where needed.

Before a placement is agreed, Street Lights Collective CIC will take reasonable steps to ensure the host organisation is suitable.

Due diligence may include:

• Confirming the organisation’s name, address and main contact.

Understanding the nature of the organisation and placement activity.

Checking that the placement has a clear learning purpose.

Confirming the named supervisor.

Confirming working days, times and location.

Checking health and safety arrangements.

Checking insurance arrangements where appropriate.

Checking safeguarding arrangements where the placement involves children or vulnerable people.

Considering whether a DBS check may be required for a supervisor in specific circumstances.

Considering reputational risk.

Considering the suitability of the location and travel route.

Checking whether any tasks are unsuitable for the young person’s age, ability or risk profile.

Agreeing how concerns will be reported.

Where a placement is arranged through a school, college, local authority or another formal provider, Street Lights may rely on existing checks where appropriate, but must still be clear about roles, contact arrangements and safeguarding escalation.

All placement activity must include risk assessment proportionate to the opportunity. Risk assessment must consider both workplace risk and contextual safeguarding risk.

Host organisations are responsible for health and safety in the workplace. Street Lights Collective CIC will take reasonable steps to satisfy itself that health and safety arrangements are in place and appropriate for the young person.

Street Lights will seek confirmation that the host organisation will:

• Provide a safe induction.

Explain emergency procedures.

Provide appropriate supervision.

Provide any necessary protective equipment.

Ensure the young person is not asked to undertake unsafe or unsuitable tasks.

Explain how to raise health and safety concerns.

Report accidents, incidents and near misses promptly.

Comply with relevant health and safety duties.

Young people under 18 may be less familiar with workplace risk and may need closer supervision, clearer explanation and more frequent reassurance. Street Lights will consider this when matching young people to placements.

Safeguarding is central to all NEET Futures placement activity. Any concern that a child, young person or adult at risk has suffered or may suffer harm must be reported to the DSL in line with the Safeguarding Policy.

Safeguarding concerns may include:

• Disclosure of abuse, neglect or exploitation.

Concerns about inappropriate behaviour by an adult.

Grooming or exploitation concerns.

Sexual harassment or sexual harm.

Bullying or intimidation.

Online contact that feels unsafe.

Threats connected to postcode, peer group or gang conflict.

Violence, intimidation or weapons concerns.

Mental health crisis or self harm concerns.

Pressure to carry items, money, substances or information.

Concern that a host organisation is unsafe or unsuitable.

If there is immediate danger, emergency services should be contacted on 999. The DSL must be informed as soon as possible.

Street Lights Collective CIC will ensure that appropriate consent and information sharing arrangements are in place before a placement begins.

This may include:

• Consent from the young person.

Parent or carer consent for children under 18 where appropriate.

Information from schools, colleges, social workers or referrers where relevant.

Emergency contact details.

Relevant health, access or support needs.

Safeguarding information that is necessary to keep the young person safe.

Agreement on what information may be shared with the host organisation.

Street Lights will only share information that is necessary, proportionate and relevant. Confidentiality will be respected, but safeguarding concerns will be shared where required to protect a young person or another person from harm.

Every placement should have a written agreement proportionate to the nature of the opportunity.

The agreement should confirm:

• Name of the young person.

Name of the host organisation.

Placement address or online platform.

Start and end date.

Days and times.

Named supervisor.

Street Lights contact person.

Purpose and expected learning outcomes.

Tasks and activities.

Health and safety arrangements.

Safeguarding reporting route.

Travel arrangements.

Attendance expectations.

Conduct expectations.

Consent and emergency contact information.

Review arrangements.

All placements must have a named supervisor at the host organisation and a named Street Lights contact.

Monitoring should be proportionate to risk and may include:

• Check in before the placement starts.

Confirmation that the young person has arrived safely.

Early check in after the first session or first day.

Regular contact with the young person.

Regular contact with the host supervisor.

Review of attendance and conduct.

Wellbeing check ins.

Final review and next steps planning.

Where a young person is vulnerable, under 18, anxious, at risk of exploitation or facing contextual safeguarding concerns, monitoring should be more frequent.

Professional boundaries must be maintained throughout placement activity.

Host organisations, staff, volunteers and mentors must not:

• Contact young people through personal social media accounts.

Meet young people outside agreed placement arrangements without permission.

Offer gifts, money or personal favours outside agreed policy.

Transport young people alone unless this has been risk assessed and approved.

Share personal information unnecessarily.

Invite young people to private homes.

Use young people for unpaid labour that does not support learning.

Place young people in unsafe or unsuitable situations.

Make comments that shame, belittle or exploit a young person’s background or vulnerability.

Any boundary concern must be reported to the Placement Lead or DSL.

Street Lights will prepare young people to understand placement expectations. These include:

• Attending on agreed days and times.

Communicating if delayed or absent.

Following reasonable instructions.

Respecting staff, customers, visitors and other participants.

Using appropriate language.

Following health and safety instructions.

Keeping confidential information private.

Avoiding social media posting about the placement unless agreed.

Reporting concerns promptly.

Where behaviour concerns arise, Street Lights will respond in a trauma informed and restorative way where appropriate. Serious concerns may result in the placement being paused or ended.

Travel arrangements should be considered before the placement begins. This is especially important where young people may face postcode conflict, unsafe routes, anxiety, disability, caring responsibilities or financial barriers.

Street Lights may support travel planning by:

• Checking the route and timing.

Considering safer routes.

Agreeing arrival and departure expectations.

Providing emergency contact details.

Considering travel costs where funding allows.

Recording any financial support in line with the Financial Controls Policy.

Any travel reimbursement must be authorised and recorded in line with the Financial Controls Policy. Young people should not be placed at financial disadvantage because of a placement where reasonable support is available.

Some placements may include online meetings, digital tasks, remote mentoring, online employer sessions or hybrid activity. These must be managed in line with the Online Safety and Social Media Policy.

Online placement activity must include:

• Approved platforms where possible.

Clear session times.

No private personal account contact.

Clear expectations for cameras, chat and recording.

Safeguarding route for concerns.

Consent for any recording.

Data protection consideration.

Appropriate adult oversight for children where required.

Young people must not be asked to share unnecessary personal information online or communicate privately with adults outside agreed arrangements.

Street Lights Collective CIC is committed to fair and inclusive access to placement opportunities. The Organisation will seek to reduce barriers connected to race, culture, class, faith, disability, neurodiversity, gender, care experience, criminal exploitation risk, poverty, trauma, school exclusion or family circumstances.

Reasonable adjustments may include:

• Additional preparation sessions.

Clearer instructions.

Reduced hours or phased start.

Travel support.

Support with clothing or equipment where funding allows.

Accessible placement environments.

Communication support.

Additional check ins.

Carefully matched supervisors.

Trauma informed briefing for the host organisation.

All incidents, accidents, near misses, safeguarding concerns, complaints, online concerns, data breaches and conduct concerns must be reported in line with the Incident Reporting Policy.

The following must be escalated immediately:

• A young person is missing or cannot be contacted when expected.

A safeguarding disclosure is made.

A young person is harmed or injured.

A weapon, threat or violence is reported.

A young person is pressured, exploited or groomed.

An adult behaves inappropriately towards a young person.

A serious health and safety concern arises.

There is a data breach involving personal information.

The placement environment appears unsafe.

There is a serious breach of professional boundaries.

Emergency services must be contacted where there is immediate risk of harm. The DSL must be informed as soon as possible.

Street Lights Collective CIC may pause, change or end a placement where this is necessary to protect the young person, host organisation, staff, volunteers or the Organisation.

Reasons may include:

• Safeguarding concerns.

Health and safety concerns.

Young person distress or wellbeing concerns.

Poor attendance without engagement.

Serious conduct concerns.

Unsuitable placement tasks.

Host organisation concerns.

Community safety or postcode risk.

Travel safety concerns.

The placement no longer meets the young person’s needs.

Where possible, endings should be handled respectfully, with reflection and next steps. A placement ending should not be treated as failure. It may provide important learning about readiness, support needs and future pathways.

Street Lights Collective CIC will record placement activity in line with its Data Protection Policy.

Records may include:

• Referral information.

Consent forms.

Risk assessments.

Placement agreements.

Host organisation checks.

Attendance records.

Check in notes.

Incident reports.

Safeguarding records.

Evaluation forms.

Progression outcomes.

Safeguarding records must be stored securely and separately from general programme records where appropriate. Access must be limited to those who need to know.

Street Lights Collective CIC will review placement activity to ensure it remains safe, effective and aligned with the Organisation’s mission.

Quality assurance may include:

• Young person feedback.

Parent or carer feedback where appropriate.

Host organisation feedback.

Attendance and completion data.

Review of incidents and concerns.

Review of progression outcomes.

Review of equality and access.

Learning from placements that end early.

Board reporting where appropriate.

This policy will be reviewed at least annually, or sooner if there is a serious incident, safeguarding concern, legal change, funder requirement or significant change in NEET Futures activity.

Appendix A: Placement Readiness Checklist

Appendix B: Host Organisation Due Diligence Checklist

Appendix C: Placement Agreement Summary

Appendix D: Young Person Placement Agreement

I understand the purpose of my placement and agree to attend on the agreed days and times. I will communicate if I am delayed or unable to attend. I will respect staff, customers, visitors and other people in the placement environment. I will follow reasonable instructions, health and safety guidance and confidentiality expectations. I understand who to speak to if I feel unsafe, worried, overwhelmed or unsure.

Appendix E: Policy Approval