Careers guidance
outside school have focused on vulnerable When developing advisory services for complex system of education and training
young people or those who are already young people, impartiality is key. Many reports opportunities for students. Options for a student
NEETs and has been delivered through the highlight that teachers allocated the role of to consider include vocational or academic
Connexions Services. careers co-ordinator were often able to off er focus, GCSEs, Diplomas, A levels, further
While this has been eff ective in students much more advice and guidance education colleges, 6th form colleges, university,
some areas for some individuals, on the academic path through A levels and higher education, internships, Apprenticeships,
it is now recognised that all university than more vocational routes because full-time employment, part-time employment,
young people should have they were unaware of the possibilities the latter not to mention the specifi cs of subject and
could off er students. career choice.
With routes through education and By having an impartial and consistent level
training into employment becoming of advice from all sources working together,
increasingly complex, it is vital to be the student will be able to narrow this down
aware of all options and provide an even- quickly to focus more on the specifi cs of
handed approach to their consideration. both the short and long-term implications of
T_h is is where a partnership approach with their choices.
access to high quality support and that gifted the Connexions careers practitioner is key, Accountability is the fi nal issue to be
and talented students need just as much as the teacher who knows the student well aware of when developing a careers strategy
guidance as less academically able students. is supported by an external service which within a school. With public spending being
Meeting individual needs and gathering demonstrates impartiality and expert increasingly scrutinised, the government
the views of the service user is a policy that knowledge of the labour and learning markets. has to ensure that all money is spent cost-
is prominent throughout the public Young people base their decisions on advice eff ectively and achieves results. To ensure
sector, in order to ensure from a wide number of adults around them, that careers education IAG investment is
that developments including parents and teachers. CfBT works worthwhile, schools should have regular
are eff ective and in partnership with parents and teachers to assessments with feedback from the students.
relevant to the ensure that everyone can contribute from T_h is will help to develop the service as the
target audience. their area of expertise, but that the messages economic situation changes and young people
At CfBT, we are not confusing or contradictory for the remain in learning until age 18. Everyone
are constantly young person. within the school should take responsibility
asking service By running programmes in school which for ensuring that all students have access to
users “how has it worked for you?” to try and keep parents up-to-date with their child’s the high quality support they need. Now,
inform practice and improve services. progress and general changes within jobs more than ever before, it is essential that
When working with young people this markets, parents will be better informed this should be a basic standard within all
can provide great insight into the impact of to help off er advice based on the current secondary schools. DD
services and allow professionals to adapt to situation, rather than how they remember
ensure that they are meeting the range of it when they were leaving school. Schools • Joanna van de Poll is from the CfBT
needs that have to be accommodated. can also play a big role in helping parents to Education Trust. Visit www.cfbt.com
Our work supports teachers and senior realise how they can help their child to make
staff to take learners’ views into account when decisions and how to recognise when a young Further information
developing the school careers strategy and person needs more targeted support. Find the Education Evidence Portal at www.
we have developed a product, “Dare to Ask”, T_h e introduction of Diplomas has been eep.ac.uk and for more on IAG, visit www.
which we can make available to help with this. another step in developing an increasingly qcda.gov.uk/18073.aspx
Delivering Diplomas • Volume 1 No 1 Autumn 2009 51
50-51 iag.indd 13 18/9/09 11:11:24
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