The findings are part of ongoing research into the provision of information, advice and guidance (IAG) in England and builds on initial research that was undertaken in September 2010, undertaken by the National Youth Agency as part of its work with the Local Government Association (LGA), supported through topsliced funding for local authorities.
The report presents the views of around 900 young people aged between 14 and 15 and around 500 teachers from across the country, gathered through an online survey.
The survey also revealed that two-thirds of young people thought that friends were also a useful source of general information, but a quarter thought friends were not at all useful with regards to careers advice and guidance.
A fifth of teachers said they had received training to support them in providing careers-related advice, but less than half of teachers felt well supported with regards to providing IAG.
Fiona Blacke, National Youth Agency chief executive, said: "The findings paint an interesting picture of how IAG is viewed and delivered across the country and builds further upon the initial findings of the small, qualitative pilot study undertaken in the South West and London in September.
"We are now undertaking our final strand of research, which includes focus groups, both online and face-to-face, to complete the study and provide a comprehensive picture of IAG across England."
- Baroness Shireen Ritchie, chair of the LGA's Children and Young People Board, said: "This research shows just how important it is to make sure young people themselves have a say in how careers advice is provided to them. It is absolutely vital that the voice of young people is heard in the design of any new service so that their specific needs can be catered for.
"The importance of helping young people to identify the path they want to take through life and supporting them at difficult times is fully understood by councils.
"The majority of young people are lucky enough to have trusted adults in their lives who they can talk issues over with. The new careers service for all ages that the government is proposing must provide the right support to parents, teachers and youth workers to help them give the right advice to those young people who turn to them.
"Where children have difficult backgrounds and benefit from an intensive, professional service, then councils will continue to be responsible for providing all the help they can to the most vulnerable."
