Policy & Practice: Briefing - Advice and guidance standardsextended

Why do we need new standards? Youth Matters spoke about the need to support young people through difficult transitions and the increasingly complex decision-making they face around education, work and other life issues. In recent years, of course, Connexions has been at the forefront of much of this work, but now the responsibility and funding is being devolved to local authorities - in effect, children's trusts and schools.

These standards detail what should be provided and how.

What do the standards look like?

For each standard there is a generic description, then a "level one" description of minimum expectations, followed by a brief description of what higher-level practice might involve. For example, standard one concerns information, advice and guidance (IAG) on offer to young people in their new school or college and the range of settings available at post-14 and post-16. The minimum expectation is that young people should receive an introduction from tutors, a personal session with an adviser, and information about online support services. Higher-level practice would see every young person given a directory of services.