From September 2012, the Education Act 2011 placed the duty, which was previously that of the local authority, to secure access to independent and impartial careers guidance for pupils in years 9-11 on schools. From next month this duty will be extended to include pupils in years 8, 12 and 13.
This week, the children’s charity Barnardo’s has published research which suggests that the new system is failing pupils, mainly due to the lack of face-to-face guidance available. The government’s National Careers Service offers telephone and web-based support but the research found that the service is not widely used.
Ofsted have said that it will prioritise the inspection of careers guidance and the government has issued statutory guidance, which schools must have regard to when fulfilling this duty to their pupils. There has been no extra funding for schools to meet this obligation but they will have to find a way provide meaningful support and the earlier the better.