There has never been a more important time for all young people to have access to high-quality guidance—with education maintenance allowance going, the introduction of tuition fees and rising unemployment. Brian Lightman, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders on careers advice for students.
Our Approach
We help schools and other educational institutions to implement high-quality careers information, advice and guidance (IAG). Our approach is based on our 5-phase ‘framework for action’. This ensures that young people get the IAG most appropriate to their needs as well as aspirations.
1. Understand the young people
Using the relevant data supplied by the school and feedback from key staff, we consider and prioritise the needs of each individual pupil. We don’t take a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. In fact, we work towards understanding your school’s particular context and needs. Starting with taking your knowledge of your pupils to begin our work.
2. Identify the required careers IAG interventions
Based on our understanding of the needs, we will then identify the careers IAG interventions needed to support each individual. The range of interventions offered will vary from pupil to pupil. For instance, this could include simple signposting. Our work could also entail providing resources for pupils needing extra help. This could include well-thought-out ideas or intensive one-to-one support for young people..
3. Establish careers IAG support mechanisms
Once we understand the scope and range of interventions required, we’ll work with you to deliver them to the highest quality and best value. The provision of careers information, advice and guidance may be very fragmented. This could be due to local authorities and schools adjusting to their new responsibilities under the Education Act. We will help you to make the best of school-based provision. Additionally, we can access external provision through the all-age careers service and the local authority’s services for vulnerable young people. Where there are gaps, we will plug them with high-quality careers IAG. You will be provided with qualified and experienced careers advisers.
4. Manage transitions and tracking
Moreover, our services for young people can continue even after they have left school. Young people will be supported during their transition into their first destination as well as tracking of their progress. We can also work with post-16 providers and the local authority’s services in supporting you to meet your new responsibilities for tracking.
5. Promote positive IAG images
We’re confident that our approach to supporting young people with their careers IAG needs, will result in more young people making the right choices of provision at the right level for them. Above all, we will promote and feed back into the school community. This is done through careers advice for students and positive images of the pathways undertaken by past pupils. Additionally, this will help raise aspirations to reshape future careers IAG provision.
Learn more about our virtual careers advice services!
