Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 28
Careers Leaders struggling with insufficient allocated time and resources in schools and colleges.
Conclusion
Careers Leaders are much needed in schools and colleges, but many are struggling to fulfil their responsibilities effectively due to lack of time amid competing pressures, and almost half have less than a day per week allocated to their role. This is a crucial role that must be given the appropriate time and resource.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees on the importance of Careers Leaders, highlights existing support and training provided via the CEC, and commits to considering how best to strengthen the role and support them further as part of the Strategic Action Plan for Careers.
Paragraph Reference:
28
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
43. The Government agrees with the Committee on the importance of the Careers Leader role. They are essential to delivering a careers programme and the Gatsby Benchmarks. We recognise that the Careers Leader role can be challenging, but there is growing evidence that Careers Leaders are increasing the quality of careers provision in schools and colleges. For example, 82% of secondary schools and colleges had a Careers Leader in 2022/23, up from 72% in 2021/22 and 67% in 2020/21. 44. The Department provides investment funding for the Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) which is focused on improving Careers Leader capability, impact and sustainability. Over 2,600 Careers Leaders have completed the Careers Leader Training, a fully funded national training programme that covers topics such as leadership and management, effective curriculum design and implementation, evaluating careers programmes and developing employer partnerships. The CEC continues to develop resources and support for Careers Leaders through online communities of practice, peer networks, and bespoke professional development to help them develop their careers programmes and maximise impact. 45. As part of its Strategic Action Plan for Careers, the Department will consider how best to strengthen the Careers Leader role to ensure that careers remains an integral part of the school curriculum and is given the status it deserves. We will look at what can be done to support Careers Leaders to focus on strategic leadership of careers, including how we can better support them to bring the Gatsby Benchmarks to life. We will also explore how to better identify and share effective practices from schools and colleges that are getting careers right.