Study into Connexions' career services sparks backlash

The report said that four out of five young people found formal careers advice only "a little bit" or "not at all" helpful, with most preferring to seek advice from parents, teachers and youth workers.

Unison is among those leading an attack on the research, which was carried out by the National Youth Agency and the National Foundation for Educational Research.

Denise Bertuchi from Unison says the study is based on limited evidence, with the National Youth Agency only surveying 79 young people.

She added: "The report fails to recognise the positives; in areas where Connexions is well funded and well advertised, it does some great work with both universal young people and Neets.

"However, in other areas where funding is inadequate or nearly non-existent then Connexions does struggle to support young people. This can only be addressed by ensuring that there is consistency and coherence."

The National Connexions Network (NCN) says the study's findings are at odds with prevailing independent research into its careers services, including a DfES survey of more than 5,000 young people, which found that over 90 per cent of respondents were satisfied with the service they received.

NCN said in a statement: "The weight of evidence from larger and well structured surveys of young people, as well as the detailed evidence from a series of Ofsted inspections, of the practice of careers advice and guidance over the past nine years shows there to be a qualitatively positive impact of Connexions on the career and other choices of many young people."

It added: "It is regrettable that this NYA survey is released at a time when a number of (but not all) local authorities are choosing to severely cut Connexions funding as they manage reductions in area-based grants. NCN sincerely hopes that it is not aimed at providing some cover from the criticism that is being heaped on those areas that have taken such action."

The LGA study also contradicts a survey of young people carried out by the Viewpoint Organisation in May into Sunderland’s Connexions service.
 
Out of 378 year 11 students surveyed, 36 per cent described advice from Connexions staff as "very useful" and 58 per cent as "useful". Just six per cent said the formal careers advice service was "not very useful".

Julie Sattler, a youth worker working as a community adviser for Connexions was among the CYP Now readers who disagreed with the LGA's findings.

She said: "We support clients from all backgrounds and abilities and work hard to help them to build and fulfil their aspirations."

The NYA said in a statement: "We recognise some of the findings may not be what people want to hear but NYA believes this research provides a useful contribution to the debate about information, advice and guidance and we will continue to assist and support young people in raising their voice about the things that matter to them."