Academics rubbish government's careers service policy

The report by the University of Derby, called Careers Work with Young People: Collapse or Transition?, says current policy "is having a potentially disastrous impact on the careers profession".

Data collected from 144 local authorities revealed that only 15 will maintain what the researchers termed as a "substantial" universal careers service. They identified 12 councils as making extreme cuts to Connexions services and at least 49 as reducing or removing the universal careers element of the Connexions service. At least 105 councils have reduced staffing levels and 50 have closed Connexions centres.

Schools take over responsibility from councils for securing careers guidance from September next year, but the requirement for them to provide careers education has been removed.

Ahead of this change councils are stripping Connexions services of funding, with many experienced advisers leaving the profession.

The report criticises the lack of transition planning by the government, which "has led to considerable local confusion".

The report also questions the government’s motives for the changes.

One motive it claims is the introduction of a free market in careers advice. The report questions such a mode, saying it will be too limited as the only "customers" will be schools. According to the authors, this leaves parents, universities, colleges and employers effectively with no say in the types of careers services that are bought, even though they "have a substantial direct stake in the career support that is delivered".

There are also questions marks as to how the government will ensure careers guidance is of a high standard and Ofsted’s role in inspecting this new responsibility.

Adult career guidance will be taken over by a national careers service but the report says there is confusion as to whether this will compete with other careers service providers to run services in schools.

The Department for Education said: "We want all young people to receive the quality careers advice and guidance they will need to help them make the best choices about their future careers. We also know that it’s schools and teachers that know their students best, which is why we trust schools to make the right decisions about the support their pupils need.
 
"The new National Careers Service from April 2012 will offer young people a single point of access to online and helpline support. It is down to local authorities to decide best how to fulfil their statutory duty to support young people’s education or training – they are accountable to their local communities and should front up for the decisions they take."