Education select committee launches careers guidance inquiry

The committee is asking for written submissions giving views on the age at which careers guidance should be provided to young people, as well as what role local authorities should play in supporting access to such provision.

The inquiry will also consider the quality and impartiality of careers guidance provided by schools and colleges, if schools are prepared to fulfil their new duty, and the level of face-to-face guidance available to young people.

Meanwhile, the committee will pay particular attention to the effectiveness of targeted support offered to specific groups of vulnerable young people, including looked-after children, children eligible for free school meals, teenage parents, young offenders, those with special educational needs or disabilities and those at risk of dropping out of employment, education or training.

The inquiry will also explore the link between careers guidance and the choices young people make on leaving school, as well as the overall coherence of the careers guidance offered to young people across the country.

All written submissions should be presented to the committee by 3 September 2012.

The Education Act 2011 places a duty on schools to access independent careers guidance for pupils in years 9 to 11 from this September.

By law, the guidance must be impartial, promote the best interests of pupils and include the full range of post-16 education and training options.

The government published statutory guidance for schools on the issue in April. The guidance stopped short of requiring schools to use qualified careers guidance professionals and suggests that face-to-face guidance should only be used where schools deem necessary.