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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.

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Gatsby BM2, 4
SEND
Key stages

Into Film: Classroom Resources

Into Film have developed a wide range of engaging, curriculum‑ready materials designed to help young people explore the breadth of opportunities in the screen industries. 

Together, they provide practical activities, industry insights and clear pathways that support learners in developing skills, discovering careers and taking their next steps into the world of film, TV, games and beyond. 

Below you will find further details, descriptions and links to specific resources.

Gatsby BM1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Key stages

Compass Evaluation

A Compass evaluation enables education settings to quickly and easily evaluate their careers activity against the eight Gatsby Benchmarks. 
 
The Compass evaluation feature was built in partnership with the Gatsby Charitable Foundation to help practitioners easily discover their education setting's strengths and find areas for improvement. 

The Compass evaluation questions have had some small updates for 26/27 and updated question by question guidance is coming soon to reflect these changes.

PDF
Gatsby BM5
SEND
Key stages

The WOW Show

Take advantage of this free, flexible teaching tool which provides ‘meaningful’ virtual video encounters in line with Gatsby Benchmark 5 for young people to explore a significant range of workplaces and ‘meet’ near peers to understand what their jobs are really like.

Check out the latest film! 

Video
PDF
Gatsby BM1, 3
SEND
Key stages

OnTrack+ Practice Guide

OnTrack+ has been designed to help educators identify emerging support needs for learners in Years 7-11, strengthening sustained learner engagement and post-16 transition. 

OnTrack+ is available through Compass+, for eligible settings with a compatible MIS connection.  

This guidance outlines how to embed an evidenceinformed process for early identification and intervention, ensuring learners receive the right support at the right time while maintaining robust, responsible data practice. 

 

PDF
Gatsby BM1
Key stages
NEW

Post-16 Changes: What you need to know

Created by the CDI in partnership with Amazing Apprenticeships, these resources explain the Government's recently announced changes to post-16 pathways. The first new courses are expected to launch in September 2027, with further courses being introduced through to 2030/31. Explore everything you need to know about what these changes mean for young people.

PDF
Powerpoint

Keyword(s): all

Gatsby BM1, 3
Key stages

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)  

 

PDF
Gatsby BM2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Key stages

Accenture Digital Skills

This resource has been developed by Accenture (national) and is offered on a free learning basis.

A collaborative, peer to peer learning tool building the digital skills needed to stand out in today’s workplace:

  • Bite-sized, animated videos presented by digital experts
  • 110+ animated bitesize videos with content covering 7 digital courses presented by Accenture digital experts
  • Innovative use of social media tools to facilitate peer to peer learning
  • CPD accredited certificate received for completing the modules.