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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Understanding how to effectively evaluate your careers provision
This resource helps Careers Leaders effectively evaluate their careers provision using feedback from learners, parents and carers, subject staff and other staff who support learners (including Careers Advisers) to increase its impact. This resource also supports Careers Leaders to:
- Collect, maintain and use accurate data for each learner on their aspiration, intended and immediate education, and training or employment destinations to inform personalised support (Benchmark 3)
- Use longer-term data (including destinations data) as part of their evaluation process (Benchmark 3)
My Journey, My Future
This programme is focused on the different stages of transition experienced by young people on the journey from education to the world of work.
CDI Technical Education Programme
As part of the CDI Technical Education Programme, this short video supports careers professionals to understand the forthcoming changes to Post‑16 pathways at level 3 and below.
Between the Lines: Preparing for University
We’re excited to launch Between the Lines, a brand-new careers resource developed by the University of London Careers Service to support students preparing for university, especially those from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds.
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.
Coffee With: Helping young people explore the world of work through real stories and career guidance
Careers education works best when everyone's involved - because every lesson is an opportunity to show students where their learning leads.
Coffee With gives every student, every subject teacher, and every Careers Leader what they need to make it work in practice, not just on paper.
Support students and key stakeholders to understand all pathways
We have brought together a range of key resources and support to help ensure that students, staff, parents and carers are informed about and understand the full range of education and career pathways available at ages 16 and 18. Explore these resources for clear, at-a-glance overviews of post-16 and post-18 options, including academic, technical and vocational routes.
Future Skills Questionnaire
The Future Skills Questionnaire (FSQ) is a tool to measure learners’ career-readiness. FSQ covers key aspects of knowledge, skills and attitudes that are important for successful transitions. To access FSQ, eligible education settings must connect a compatible Management Information System (MIS) to Compass+.
Gatsby Benchmark Toolkit: Schools, Special Schools & AP
The Gatsby Benchmark Toolkit for Schools, Special Schools and Alternative Provisions provides practical information and guidance on the updated Gatsby Benchmarks .
Evenbreak: Career advice and resources
We’re here for candidates with any long-term health condition or disability – be it physical or mental health, sensory or cognitive. We’re not a charity. Or driven by profit. We are a social enterprise that exists to ensure:
- Inclusive employers can reach and retain a skilled and diverse pool of talent.
- Talented disabled candidates can access a range of opportunities with employers who put talent first.
People know about the business benefits gained from an inclusive workplace.
Careers Impact System peer-to-peer review
The Careers Impact peer-to-peer review is an expert-facilitated, collaborative process that brings external challenge to strengthen careers leadership and improvement planning. It supports institutions to test their thinking, refine priorities, and embed high-quality careers provision across the system.
NCFE-Accredited Online Essential Work Skills Courses
Online NCFE-accredited Essential Work Skill Courses for Key Stage 4&5.
- Introduction to Futureproof Career Skills (3-hours)
- Finding a Futureproof Career (7-hours)
- Developing a Winning Mentality (7-hours)
- Speaking Confidently in Public (7-hours)
- Making Good Financial Choices (7-hours)
- Level 3 Award in Essential Work Skills
This is a costed resource, with a specific fee assigned to each course.