Hidden talents: examples of transition of careers guidance from local authorities to schools

This Local Government Association commissioned report helps collate case study examples of local authorities supporting schools in their enhanced role to provide independent and impartial careers guidance to young people. Eight LAs were selected by the LGA and NFER carried out telephone interviews with the key strategic lead on the transition of careers guidance from local authorities to schools. LAs nominated a school in their authority and NFER carried out telephone interviews with senior leaders and careers coordinators in seven schools. Key findings LAs are supporting schools to meet their new careers guidance duty firstly by encouraging the continued participation of young people in learning, tracking young people’s destinations, and identifying those with no clear pathways. Secondly, by providing direct support to schools, for example updates on policy matters and training on commissioning independent external careers guidance. Thirdly, LAs are supporting schools with the commissioning of careers guidance services from external providers. The schools in this study report that what has helped them to feel well prepared to take on their new statutory duty is: being well informed and supported by the LA and local partnerships; embracing the new legislation and carrying out their own preparation for the transition; having a well-qualified careers coordinator on their staff: and building on their current careers guidance systems. Schools are collaborating with a variety of different organisations to provide careers guidance. However, on the whole, schools indicated that they do not work with other schools to commission careers guidance provision because their priority is to procure careers guidance that is designed to meet the needs of their own students

Careers 2020: options for future careers work in English schools.

Careers work in English schools has endured much turbulence recently. The government has now established a statutory duty on schools to secure provision, placing commissioning of careers advice and guidance in the hands of schools rather than local authorities or central government. But the duty is framed very loosely, comes with no funding and offers no clear model of provision. The previous funding for face-to-face guidance from qualified careers advisers has been removed, as has the duty for schools to provide careers education. So what should schools’ careers offers look like in future? How can schools ensure the quality of the career development support that is so vital for young people, and particularly so for those who cannot rely on their existing networks for advice and opportunities?Pearson Think Tan

Responses by the Secretary of State for Education to the Education Select Committee

Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Education, appeared before the Education Select Committee on 18 December 2013, to answer questions from Committee members related to various aspects of education policy, including careers guidance. It was the first time his views on careers guidance have been expressed in the public domain. This analysis of his comments is based on the uncorrected transcript2, which the Secretary of State will have an opportunity to correct. The transcript is therefore not yet an approved formal record of the proceedings

Girls' career aspirations

"This report evaluates the extent to which careers education, guidance and other provision raise aspirations and inform the choices of courses and careers by girls and young women to support their long-term achievement. It identifies weaknesses and examples of good practice in these areas... This small scale survey looked at the choices of courses and careers made by girls and young women at various stages in their education and training." - Cover & page 4

New strategy to transform the quality of careers education, advice and guidance for young people

This paper, based on David's experience of having been directly involved in careers work for young people over 35 years, offers some personal suggestions about what should be included in the forthcoming strategy for careers education and guidance. The aim of this strategy should be to ensure that the careers support that young people experience provides them with the help that they need to progress successfully through learning and into work. It should prepare them for lives and careers where they will have to navigate a complex and challenging landscape of education, training and employment

Recent developments on the roles of employers and of careers professionals: a pivotal phase in determining future careers provision for young people.

This policy commentary reviews key statements and reports issued in February and the beginning of March 2014, including; Statements by Lord Nash (Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Schools) on the Government’s intentions with regard to the forthcoming revised Statutory Guidance for Schools; A speech by Nick Clegg (Deputy Prime Minister) in which he commented on careers guidance in schools; A progress report issued by the National Careers Council; and A Briefing Note issued by the Careers Sector Stakeholders Alliance.Careers Englan

Gathering career wisdom from Facebook and other social media

Tristram Hooley (Head of the International Centre for Guidance Studies – www.derby.ac.uk/icegs) discusses why careers professionals and their clients should be interested in social media