Work Experience For A 14-Year-Old?

[anaxcrosswords]

Ha - this is one of those occasions when daddy doesn't have the answer. My daughter just emailed to ask if I had any ideas about what she should look at for work experience, and I really don't know.
She is extremely intelligent, consistently top of class; literate, creative, and equally strong in sciences, maths etc.
I suppose my first concern is what she's allowed to do at her age in terms of employment law. Yes, for work experience she could always stack supermarket shelves or work in a sandwich shop - but while I have every respect for people in such trades I think my daughter should be looking for something that can make use of her intellect, and I just don't know what sort of opportunities exist at that level for someone of her age.
Would really appreciate any advice.

[rockyracoon]

My son is looking for the exact same thing at the moment. We had a meeting at school for the parents where the organisation that was dealing with work experience gave us a talk, apparently it's not about what they want to do or what's suitable but more about being responsible, getting themselves to work and observing what a day in the office/shop blah blah is all about. The rules and regulations that companies have to abide by to allow work experience youngsters means that a lot just won't entertain them.

Good luck in your quest, I think you'll need it and so will I. :)

[kettledrum]

I don't know about the legal niceties, and it obviously depends on where you live ....
My granddaughter lives in Central London & was at a school with a high proportion of children with non English-speaking parents. They were always looking for someone to supervise their children's homework.

[shoota]

A newspaper office or a lawyers office perhaps?

[Prudie]

I organise the work experience placements at my work and rocky is absolutely right about the purpose - it's to experience the responsibilities of getting to work on time, interacting with others,behaviours in the workplace etc. You will find that most places will not take advantage of your daughter's intellect, H&S, data protection blah blah often don't allow them to, the work places chosen will also have been through a rigorous assessment before being allowed to accept young persons so not too many worries there. Ask her what she's interested in, maybe she'd prefer an office type placement or help at a school or maybe something off the wall that has no connection with her future.

[anaxcrosswords]

You read my mind Shoota! I just sent her an email suggesting her local weekly freesheet.

[shoota]

We used to get work experience kids at the Police station occasionally.

[atalanta]

Would she like to help at the local public Library ?