are envisaged. In addition the specific objectives for the activities, which are to take place, should be discussed. It is important that both sides understand what each expects of the other. this staff preparatory visit should be carried out only by an experienced educationalist who has undergone appropriate training prior to the planning visit taking place. Discussions must take place with Health and Safety section of education Services prior to the planning visit.
A preparatory visit is essential in order to: • identify who will be the link person(s) and establish working methods; • define the scope of the proposed young persons’ activity; • agree joint approaches, where appropriate, towards securing funding; • maximise benefit in terms of outcomes for the young person; • agree a development plan for the project with timescales; • agree learning outcomes with timeframe for the placement; • agree responsibilities, supervision levels and channels of communication; • take note of health and safety and insurance matters within the companies and any other organisations which the young people are to visit or work within;
• assess accommodation arrangements;
• examine the range and type of activities and placements available; • check the insurance cover for the young people in the workplace;
• ensure that the staff training the young people are appropriately qualified.
The visit should set in place an ongoing dialogue between the intermediary or link person in the educational establishment, and company which will be important in order to develop and foster links.
You should provide clear objectives for the young person’s activity as you see it at the outset of the visit. Consideration should be given to all aspects of the activity, e.g. scope for curriculum coverage, method of collecting information, range and type of data to be gathered, how experience of the workplace in another country will relate to the young person’s study programme.
Take information about your school that will provide some background and an overview of the curriculum or qualification towards which the young person is working. Provide translations of essential items wherever possible.
Look for opportunities for the young people to have some recreation, cultural and leisure activities, and if possible to meet socially with other young workers if in the workplace, or with other young people for lessons, extra-curricular activities, sports, social events etc. Cost out the activities which the young people are to take part in and the cost of local travel, food, entrance fees, etc.
Investigate the proposed accommodation arrangements and their suitability for all concerned. Check the area in which the accommodation is situated and ensure that levels of supervision are appropriate and adhere to Glasgow City Council policy.
Confirm who will be the supervisor throughout the placement.
During the visit reflect on the ways in which opportunities occur for learning about each other’s cultural, working and educational backgrounds. An experience of different methodology and approaches may generate a basis for comparison that can provide fresh ideas and a new outlook. It may also be useful to be aware of potential opportunities for a project in the area, or in the workplace, that will be of benefit to the young people concerned or other groups of young people in the future. Other groups of young people will also benefit from authentic materials and data that can be brought back.
Collate general information on the town and the region. Useful information will include a town plan, bus/train timetables, location of banks, post office, chemist, doctor and dentist (with phone numbers). You may also wish to consider what sports and cultural provision exists locally and what places of interest could be visited at weekends, together with costs.
Record what you think has been agreed. Exchange a written record of the agreement so that there is a clear awareness of the expectations of both sides. An additional copy that has been translated into the host language should help to avoid complications due to misunderstandings. Appendix 18 details checklists for international work experience.
if you are not linking with another school/university/college the following additional points may be relevant to your preparatory visit.
Collect information about the company, its structure (an organisational diagram would be helpful), its services and products, how it fits in to its local business environment (e.g. the major employer, one of a number of similar companies etc.).
Assuming that at least outline agreement has been reached over a proposed work placement, obtain further information about the specific work involved or role to be shadowed and aim for at least one meeting to try to appreciate and understand the type of person involved (e.g. degree of formality/informality).
Secure a discussion with the most appropriate person to gain a view of any additional project in which the student could be involved. For example, in the case of work shadowing it would be very wearing for both shadower and shadowed if this were a continual process. Also some meetings or activities might be inappropriate for a young person to attend, for example on the grounds of safety or confidentiality. It would therefore be sensible if a project could be agreed in advance that the student could follow with the minimum of fuss and interference. Examples include improving the signposting within a building, looking at an alternative layout for a public area, or preparing information in English.
Obtain confirmation of working hours including lunch and other breaks, arrangements for midday meals and costs, security arrangements, general dress code, details of any special clothing that may be required.
If young people are to make the journey unaccompanied travel the leader should travel exactly as the young people will and note any problems, the actual journey times, whether it is a good idea to take any packed food and whether the journey was planned so that connections are convenient. It is important that the arrival time is not too late for an early start on the following morning in unfamiliar surroundings.
On your return write up what has been discussed and agreed and send a copy, as soon as possible, to the receiving company together with a set of individual Placement Details Forms.
As soon as possible after the visit prepare an overview of the important points to include in full, clear and unambiguous information for children and young people and parents/carers.
It may be helpful to draw up a commitment criteria document for the children and young people and company involved which is signed by the children and young people and parents/carers.