Government launches careers advice resource for schools

The free resource pack follows the release last October of the government’s latest careers advice strategy document Quality, Choice and Aspiration.

This laid out the importance of impartial careers advice, covering a range of options in the context of the reform of 14 to 19 education and the raising of the school leaving age to 18.

The pack includes specific guidance for governors, head teachers and careers co-ordinators, including details on how to measure the quality of careers advice.

Guidance for schools on working better with Connexions staff is also provided.

A DVD is included laying out the main options for young people aged 16 years old and is designed to help parents and carers support young people with their careers decisions.

The standard of careers advice is in need of improvement according to a British Youth Council and National Children’s Bureau survey of more than 500 12- to 26-year-olds last October.

This found that around eight out of 10 respondents were critical of the careers advice they had received.