Addressing the needs of each young person
Learners have different careers guidance needs at different stages. Careers programmes should help learners navigate their concerns about any barriers to career progression. In addition, opportunities should be tailored to the needs of each learner, including any additional needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged learners, young people with SEND and those who are absent.
What good looks like
A school, special school, college or provider's careers programme should actively seek to challenge misconceptions and stereotypical thinking, showcase a diverse range of role models and raise aspirations.
- Schools should keep systematic records of the participation of learners in all aspects of their careers programme, including the individual advice given to each pupil and any subsequent agreed decisions.
- For learners who change schools during the secondary phase, information about participation and the advice given previously should be integrated into a learner’s records, where this information is made available. Records should begin to be kept from the first point of contact or from the point of transition.
- All learners should have access to these records and use them ahead of any key transition points to support their next steps and career development.
- Schools, special school, college and providers should collect, maintain and use accurate data for each learner on their aspirations, intended and immediate education, and training or employment destinations to inform personalised support.
- Schools, special school, college and providers should use sustained and longer-term destinations data as part of their evaluation process and use alumni to support their careers programme.
The resources below are designed to support you with Gatsby Benchmark 3. To explore all of the Gatsby Benchmarks in greater depth, download the toolkit that best aligns with your setting.
This guidance provides Careers Leaders with steps to map and enhance their current careers provision that is underpinned by learning outcomes to support learners to make aspirational and informed decisions, make effective and sustained transitions and to develop career readiness skills.
Maintain detailed records of every pupil’s involvement in the careers programme, including any one-to-one advice they have received, and decisions made. This should include insights into career options, decisions and aspirations. For pupils with education, health and care plans (EHCPs), annual review information can also be included.
Collect accurate, up-to-date data on each learner’s aspirations and intended destination to inform personalised careers provision, particularly for learners at risk of disengagement/NEET. Ensure that systems include information and detail from any EHCP process or any other relevant multi-agency support.
Make effective use of your learners’ careers readiness data to identify disadvantage or vulnerability. Access this handy Future Skills Questionnaire (FSQ) Checklist for support with learner engagement and sharing the FSQ and the Help Centre article.
Use Compass+ to keep systematic records of learners’ participation in career activities, and advice given. Collect and analyse data on aspirations, destinations and career readiness to provide personalised support.
Organise activities that introduce learners to a wide range of role models and career paths from diverse industries and backgrounds. Actively challenge misconceptions and raise learners’ aspirations by presenting various career options. Use the Alumni section in Compass+, under the Interests and destinations tab in the Learner Profile, to record contact details and consent from learners who wish to join your alumni and contribute to the delivery of careers in your school or special school.
Education Leaders and Governors:
Education Leaders and Governors: For further information on each Benchmark, to support you in your role, please see the Education Leader, Secondary and College Governor Guides.
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Young Professionals
This resource has been developed by Youth Employment UK and is a fantastic opportunity for young people to develop their skills.
Xello (Cascaid)
Xello is an engaging online program that prepares students for post-secondary success in academics, career and life. With Xello, you’ll have everything you need to help your students build the skills and knowledge to create actionable plans for the future, regardless of their chosen pathway.
WOW Show careers guides
Watch two exciting new WOW Show programmes about careers in the NHS – designed for home schooling and beyond.
World Down Syndrome Day Resource Hub
On the 21st March we create a single global voice advocating for the rights, inclusion and well being of people with Down syndrome. This year we want to End The Stereotypes.
Sign up to access our free resources to learn why this message matters and how you can help.
What’s your strength?® cards – Celebrating neurodivergent strengths
An interactive card activity made in collaboration with neurobox. The cards have been designed for neurodivergent individuals, or those who support them, to explore strengths; and organisations striving to be more neuroinclusive.
This is a costed resource.
What’s your strength?® cards - teen pack
Award winning self-awareness tool that empowers young people to discover their own skills and qualities and realise how amazing they are!
This is a costed resource.
What’s your strength?® - Let’s get started!
An interactive card activity made in collaboration with Skills Builder, Let’s get started! empowers young people to discover their own skills and qualities and realise how amazing they are!
This is a costed resource.
What’s your strength?® - Free Downloads
Careers Adviser, Katherine Jennick, the creator of the award winning What’s your strength?® cards, has developed a number of strength-based tools which are free to download.
What’s Next? - Free online course
The University of London Careers Service have developed a new free, impartial and accurate online careers course resource for school and college students (aged 16-18), to help them learn more and make good, well-informed career decisions about their post-18 careers options.
What's next?
Developed by Endeavour Training.
This resource is an employability and further education advice pack for young people and parents.
What is an Entrepreneur? SEND activity
Developed by the team in the Black Country Careers Hub this short resource is designed to support young people with SEND to understand what an entrepreneur is. This resource features in the My Skills My Future programme.
What Employers want
This activity has been developed by College Park School and is part of the My Skills My Future programme. It contains a lesson plan and accompanying resources aimed at young people in SEND group 1.