Unison is now preparing to start proceedings against councils it says have failed to uphold their duty because of cuts to staff and closures of Connexions centres.
Denise Bertuchi, assistant national officer at Unison, told CYP Now: "Many local authorities will not be able to fulfil their duties under the 2008 Education Act."
She cited a parliamentary debate in January where skills minister John Hayes said councils should make arrangements to move careers advisers seamlessly from the current system to the planned all-age careers service to minimise any hiatus. "This hiatus is unacceptable and is not only damaging to the future of our young people but will be placing local authorities in legal jeopardy," Bertuchi added.
Steve Higginbotham, president of the Institute of Careers Guidance, said councils are cutting Connexions services prematurely, since government is yet to amend council responsibilities. "There are already local authorities that are no longer meeting their statutory duty," he said. "They still have the duty to provide access to careers services to all young people, but they are jumping ahead."
A National Connexions Network spokesman said that while no legal challenges have been launched, the threat of action is real: "The level of cuts being applied is leading to a decline in the quality of services."
