This one day online conference will consider next steps for careers guidance in England’s primary and secondary schools, and post-16 settings.

It will be an opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to examine the DfE’s strategic action plan for careers guidance following its expected publication.

They will discuss what will be needed for policy and implementation, with the plan anticipated to build upon recommendations and address concerns made in:
• the Education Select Committee’s inquiry into Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance, along with the Government’s response
• Ofsted’s Independent review of careers guidance in schools and further education and skills providers, published last year.

Areas for discussion raised by the Education Committee, include:
• funding for school careers programmes and upskilling for teachers
• addressing gaps in access to quality work experience following the pandemic
• and access to quality careers guidance for disadvantaged students and students with SEND.

Delegates will also look at key challenges identified in Ofsted’s thematic review, including:
• how to increase the amount of time available to schools to effectively deliver careers guidance
• options for better linking careers guidance to a school’s curriculum
• improving close working between school leaders, teachers and careers staff
• enhancing the use and collection of destinations data.

The role of Careers Hubs will also be considered, looking at best practice in facilitating partnerships between employers and providers, and approaches to engaging employers.

The quality of careers guidance and how it can be raised in schools, post-16 settings and non-school youth organisations will be discussed, alongside priorities for the equal promotion of academic, technical and vocational routes following a change in the law last January which requires all year 8-13 pupils to have at least six opportunities to meet with technical education providers.

Following the announcement of the primary careers programme, delegates will assess progress. We expect discussion on best practice in developing cross-curriculum approaches to implementing careers guidance in primary settings and raising aspirations for children, and for supporting staff.

Those attending will also consider future options for policy and issues for its possible implementation, including the Labour Party’s proposals to ensure every student has access to two weeks of work experience, as outlined in their Breaking Down the Barriers to Opportunity mission statement, with the commitment to train over one thousand careers advisors.

We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with: Alex Iles, Head of Careers Strategy and Infrastructure, DfE; John Yarham, Deputy Chief Executive, The Careers and Enterprise Company; and Dr Carol Davenport, Associate Professor and Director of NUSTEM, Northumbria University.