Is this common? School paying pupils to help out.

[Reading Mum]

My nephew goes to a decent comp (not an 11+ area and even if it was my brother wouldn't have done anything about it). He works hard, is a bright lad and has done well and come away with mostly 6s and 7s for his recent GCSEs. School obviously love him - they have made him head prefect and have asked him to help with some of the yr 7 maths as he got an 8 in that and is doing A level. All good so far but I heard today from Mum (brother and I don't speak) that he hasn't started his helping/mentoring yet as they are waiting on a DBS check, and they are going to be paying him £10 ph for doing it. He is chuffed as school are showing such confidence in him and he will be earning some money. I, on the other hand, feel a bit uncomfortable about the whole thing. My DD is expected to do her bit in the wider school community at various times but that does not extend to being paid as, essentially, a TA at the age of 16 with no training.
Is this common?

[Guest55]

I find that pretty shocking and I'm surprised teachers are allowing it!

[Reading Mum]

I am glad it is not just me that thinks this is all wrong.
I am sure he would have helped out for free but now he will feel obliged to do it.

[anotherdad]

Very odd. Doesn't doing that sort of thing impose all sorts of obligations and responsibilities onto him and the school? After all, the relationship is now a contractual and employment one. How will the school account for the expenditure?

[Reading Mum]

No idea. He is only 16 and has just started his A levels. Helping out at a club or something is fine as he could miss it if he had lots of work to do but this seems too grown up for him to be taking on. He should be able to focus on his own studies rather than plugging a gap in the school setup. My brother is useless so will just let it happen and the lad himself is too nice for his own good so would never complain. I think the school are taking advantage (and can't believe their luck as they remember his older brother who was not a model pupil)

[mad?]

I'm shocked by this as well, but only because public money is being spent on it. Having had 2 DC go through 6th form I do not think they would have been any less expected to do their 'duty' in this regard if they were not being paid for it. The obligation would have been the same, if not more. It does seem very strange though and I understand if your nephew might feel caught in a landslide of obligation if he is being paid for the work.

[Guest55]

Has he had any safeguarding training? Is he working with students without a teacher present?

I'm concerned for him if he is with students under 16 on his own ...

[Reading Mum]

As far as I know he has had zero training- the concept that he needs a full DBS check is quite worrying. Will have to try and find out what is being asked of him

[mystery]

Sounds a little odd - is it possible that what you have been told is inaccurate? But the DBS info sounds correct but maybe implies that he is not going to have adult supervision.

https://www.ucheck.co.uk/dbs-checks-for-under-18s/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If it were my child, I would not be that comfortable for him to do it no adult in the room because if another child spreads an allegation amongst the group it is hard for him to defend himself their word against his and all that. But it is unlikely but he definitely should avoid the one to one situation for this reason.

Getting paid ... unusual but possible I suppose. Maybe means they are expecting a lot more volunteering out of him than would be the norm.

A primary school child of mine was once asked to clean urine off the girls' toilet floor (not hers) with a friend in return for 10 house points. They did it. I was not too impressed.

[stroudydad]

Sounds a little odd - is it possible that what you have been told is inaccurate? But the DBS info sounds correct but maybe implies that he is not going to have adult supervision.

https://www.ucheck.co.uk/dbs-checks-for-under-18s/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If it were my child, I would not be that comfortable for him to do it no adult in the room because if another child spreads an allegation amongst the group it is hard for him to defend himself their word against his and all that. But it is unlikely but he definitely should avoid the one to one situation for this reason.

Getting paid ... unusual but possible I suppose. Maybe means they are expecting a lot more volunteering out of him than would be the norm.

A primary school child of mine was once asked to clean urine off the girls' toilet floor (not hers) with a friend in return for 10 house points. They did it. I was not too impressed.

DBS checks are the now required for any 16-17 year old in a responsible role who has regular contact with a minor, adult supervision or not.
I have a prime example.
I run a martial arts school, and my 4 children are my students. However the two older ones (16&17) are also assistant instructors. So I have the craziness that my oldest 2 have to have DBS to teach their younger brothers even though I am present and I have to have one to teach my children.