Careers Leader
Careers Leaders are responsible and accountable for the planning, delivery and impact measurement of their school, special school or college’s strategic careers plan and progressive careers programme.
It’s a key role that involves aligning careers provision to the strategic priorities of the school, special school or college and overseeing work towards meeting the Gatsby Benchmarks in a meaningful way for young people.
The Careers Leader needs to be someone who can:
- Take responsibility for continuous improvement of the strategic careers plan and the progressive careers programme, which should be planned and implemented to ensure positive outcomes for young people.
- Coordinate and manage the various elements of the careers programme informed by a strategic careers plan aligned to school, special school or college priorities.
- Liaise with external partners, such as employers, learning providers and career guidance services.
- Pay careful attention to feedback from all stakeholders and to the destinations of pupils.
Developed with you in mind, we’ve made it easy to quickly find the trusted, high quality resources you need to make a difference. We’ve identified, and regularly update, key resources that can directly support you as you plan, implement and measure the impact of your strategic careers plan and progressive careers programme and as you work towards achieving the Gatsby Benchmarks.

Careers Impact internal leadership review
The Careers Impact internal leadership review supports a quality assured, sustainable and strategic approach to careers leadership.
The review forms part of the Careers Impact System, which is a process that drives continuous improvement in careers education. It sets clearly defined standards as to what good looks like in careers leadership and is directly linked to wider school and college improvement.
Spotlight
Careers Leader Induction: Free Online Learning
Careers Leader Induction: Free Online Learning
Guided Learning Hours: 2-4 hours
Careers Leader training
Transform your careers programme and develop your skills as a Careers Leader to strategically embed careers in the curriculum.
Gatsby Benchmark 1 Module 1: Creating a Strategic Careers Plan
The following resource and support are designed to support a Careers Leader to create a strategic careers plan. The resource and support include ‘Building a Strategic Careers Plan’ guidance document and a Careers Leader recorded webinar on this element of Benchmark 1.
Gatsby Benchmark toolkit – schools
Access case studies of best practice in schools, as well as tips and practical suggestions for successfully implementing the eight Gatsby Benchmarks.
Gatsby Benchmark toolkit – colleges
Identify what ‘good’ looks like across all eight Gatsby Benchmarks, see useful case studies, and follow practical suggestions for putting the benchmarks into practice.
Gatsby Benchmark toolkit – SEND
If you are working to deliver the Gatsby Benchmarks for young people with SEND – in any setting – you will find lots of practical help in this toolkit.
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Careers Leader training
Transform your careers programme and develop your skills as a Careers Leader to strategically embed careers in the curriculum.
Candoo
CANDOO® is a fun and engaging game designed to get young learners thinking about and discussing STEM-based careers. It can be played as a game on its own or built into wider careers activities.
You can purchase this resource from the website.
FES Connect Activity
‘FES Connect’ is a national community for Post 16 careers leaders and practitioners, supporting development and sharing of best practice to ensure every learner is supported to find their next best step.
An opportunity to share examples of what's working well across the country in careers education via online seminars, newsletters showcasing best practice and an FES Connect chat board.
Click here to register.
Generation Logistics Education Hub
A dedicated, downloadable, resource library of KS3 to KS5 curriculum-relevant material for teachers and career advisors to explore the fast-paced, well-paid world of logistics.
Careerpilot Pathway Planner
The Careerpilot Pathway Planner (PP) is an online tool which provides effective, efficient and targeted personal guidance at three levels to meet the individual needs of Year 11-13 students, using triage and a whole-school, integrated approach.
Amazing Apprenticeships Resources
Amazing Apprenticeships is a leading organisation in the education sector, working with schools, colleges and employers, tackling misconceptions and promoting the benefits of apprenticeships and technical education.
They work closely with the Department for Education and a wide range of other partners and stakeholder organisations in England and internationally, to ensure that more individuals and businesses can access the benefits of apprenticeships.
Animated film explaining what apprenticeships are and their benefits, watch here!
Parental Engagement: Action research project report and toolkit
Engaging parents and carers of college students, or those working with a training provider, has an extra layer of complexity. This report explores the approaches taken by 3 different settings, providing resources and inspiration.
The SEND in Mainstream Toolkit
A toolkit for careers leaders, teachers and inclusion leaders to support students with SEND in mainstream settings.
Student Finance
A series of resources developed by the Student Loans Company (SLC) to help young people understand their financial options.
Looked After Children: Personal Education Plan in Careers
Personal Education Plan Careers Resources
Removing Barriers to Inclusion - An Employer Toolkit for Disability Confidence
Empower your business to embrace inclusivity with this comprehensive toolkit. Packed with actionable strategies, inspiring success stories and practical resources, it guides employers in creating disability confidence, improving accessibility and unlocking the potential of a more diverse workforce. Start building an inclusive, thriving workspace today.
HSBC Resources
HSBC have a number of resources available to support young people when thinking about their career pathways from work experience opportunities to activities to support them in thinking about the different pathways into a career at HSBC.