National Youth Agency: Concerns expressed that guidance plans focus too much on careers

The document, Quality, Choice and Aspiration, includes plans for careers education to be available up to the age of 18 in line with the raising of the participation age; the pilot of careers work in primary schools and new plans to give younger pupils work experience. Every young person is to have access to a mentor; new technologies and social media to deliver careers advice will be developed; and more help for disadvantaged young people will be on offer.

But a key organisation supporting advice work has criticised the lack of detail on how young people experiencing difficulties can be helped to overcome barriers. Youth Access, the national membership body for advice, information and guidance, advised on early drafts of the report, but chief executive Barbara Rayment, said the final document was skewed towards responding to careers advice.