Work Placement
DAIS-POL-022
Work Placement Policy
Data and AI School of London, NCFE Approved Centre
Policy Owner: Work Placement Coordinator
Version: 1.0 | Date: April 2026 | Review: April 2027
NCFE Risk Level: High (where applicable)
Mode of Delivery: Fully OnlineThis policy applies only to NCFE qualifications that include a mandatory work placement element. Where a qualification does not require a work placement, this policy is held on record but is not operationally active.
22.1 Purpose and Scope
This policy ensures that work placements associated with NCFE qualifications are suitable, safe, and provide learners with the experiences required by the Qualification Specification. For data and AI qualifications, placements may be remote or hybrid industry projects.
22.2 Identifying and Approving Placement Providers
Before a learner is placed with an employer, the school will:
1. Confirm that the employer has appropriate Employers' Liability Insurance.
2. Complete a remote or in-person risk assessment of the placement environment.
3. Confirm that the placement activities align with the learning outcomes in the qualification specification.
4. Sign a formal placement agreement with the employer.
22.3 Placement Agreement
A formal written placement agreement is signed by the learner, the school, and the employer before the placement begins. The agreement covers: duties and activities; required hours mapped to the qualification specification; health and safety responsibilities; data protection obligations; and the process for reporting concerns.
22.4 Monitoring Placements Remotely
The learner submits weekly or fortnightly digital placement logs through the VLE.
The Work Placement Coordinator reviews logs and contacts the learner by video call or messaging at agreed intervals.
The employer submits a mid-placement and end-of-placement digital confirmation form.
Any concerns raised by the learner or employer are addressed within 2 working days.
22.5 Remote Placements
For placements conducted remotely (e.g. a data analysis project completed for an employer from home), the placement agreement must specify the remote working arrangements, a data sharing agreement must be in place if the learner accesses employer data, and the employer's IT security requirements must be communicated to the learner before commencement.
22.6 Placement Breakdown
1. Contact both the learner and employer to understand the circumstances.
2. Explore whether the placement can be resumed or whether a new placement can be arranged.
3. Inform the Head of Centre and document the situation.
4. Where a replacement placement cannot be arranged within a reasonable timescale, advise the learner of the impact on their qualification.
This policy is reviewed annually. Next review: April 2027. Approved by: Head of Centre. © Data and AI School of London, April 2026. NCFE Approved Centre.