Offering a work experience placement to a school student

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I am self-employed and a sixth-former I know mentioned that she hadn't found a placement for work experience which is happening this month.

Does anyone know whether it's ok for the students to do work experience with a sole trader rather than a company?

And is there any expectation that I would pay them? (I can't afford to).

I've managed to put together a list of tasks I think would occupy her for a couple of days and cover a variety of business skills.

I do feel she would have got better experience going into a big office or whatever for the full week but as she hasn't managed to organise that, would my offer of a couple of days working with me be worthwhile?

There is no expectation of pay, you may want to consider whether you can contribute to travel or lunch costs but this is not expected.
If she’s expected to do a week or two work experience through school then be aware you may get a visit/call from the council to check you’re adequately risk assessing for a young person and that the working environment is safe.
(I was the work ex coordinator at my old job).

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable however some sole traders do not carry employer liability insurance and you will need this.

If the work experience is organised by the school/college eg Year 10 standard work experience or 6th form work experience that is formally required by the school or college then there is no expectation of payment. If it is not then NMW must be paid.

It might be worth checking with the school if this is permitted from a safeguarding perspective.

OP said it's a 6th former. Many 6th formers will be working anyway, sometimes for sole traders. My son organised several unofficial work shadowing opportunities for himself.

Although actually, they were not unofficial in that his Btec course required him to complete x amount of hours of work experience during the course and it was logged with college and contributed (including him taking a week off

The only reason for mentioning safeguarding is that, if it is organised by the school or takes place during school hours, they may want to risk assess it. It is different to a 16yo having a job or organising work experience themselves at weekends or during the holidays.