Connexions Rochdale

Why should we have an Information Resource in my school?

• The Education Act 2011: The duty to secure Independent and Impartial Careers Guidance for Young People in Schools - Statutory Guidance, requires that careers guidance includes "information on all options available in respect of 16 - 18 education or training, including apprenticeships and other work-based education and training options", and for those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, this advice should also include information on the full range of specialist provision that is available."
• The guidance also states that "Schools have a role to play in supporting their pupils to make well informed and realistic decisions by providing access to impartial and independent information and guidance about the rangeof education and training options that are most likely to help young people acheive their ambitions." 

For more information go to the full document

• One of the 6 key areas for assessment for Inspiring IAG, the Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance Quality Award for Greater Manchester, is 'Information and Communication'.
  The provision of an Information Resource could contribution towards this.
  
  What does it cover?

  A range of current*, unbiased and accurate information in a variety of formats, aimed at different ages and abilities, that promotes equal  opportunities, on:

General Information:

Occupational Information:

 Opportunity Information:

• FE prospectuses (all local FE colleges)
• HE prospectuses can be ordered centrally from eurorscgheist
• Training information (Apprenticeship information; information from training providers)
• Apprenticeships and other vacancies for school and college leavers cnx2jobs and National Apprenticeships Service.

*Materials should be current – normally not more than 2-3 years old, although prospectuses, software etc should be the current edition and occasionally (eg books on job search), older materials may be acceptable.

Use an appropriate classification system: the Connexions Resource Centre Index (CRCI User Guide) is available to download from CEGNET.

Suitable furniture (eg shelves at a height appropriate for all users; tables, chairs, browsing area, notice board, wall space for CRCI posters etc) should be used.

Easy access to careers software and suitable websites should be available throughout the school/college, including adjacent to printed materials.

Where?

The Connexions/careers information resource should be in an area of the school or college open to all students – the school library/Learning Resource Centre is ideal, particularly as it is likely to be open and staffed more frequently than other areas.

It should be easily accessible (students, especially in school, often have limited time) and well publicised.

When?

Careers Education is currently statutory until September 2012 for keystages 3 and 4, so access to Connexions/careers resources should be from year 7 onwards.

Consider...

How to induct students – when should this (and refresher sessions) take place, what form should it take, who will do it?

• Providing guidelines on how to use the resources.

Access should be as often as possible – eg before/after lessons, breaks, lunchtimes etc.

Who?

Involve appropriate people in running the Connexions/careers resource – eg librarian, student library assistants, admin staff etc.

Involve your Personal Adviser – eg through your funding arrangements.

Publicise the Connexions/careers information resources to staff, students, parents etc.

How?

Remember that help and advice personalised to your own situation is available from the Careers Solutions Information Team.
This includes training for relevant staff or students on

• Maintaining the Connexions/careers information resources
• Using of careers guidance programs
• Provision of CRCI box labels and a range of signage available on a cost-recovery basis.

For further information contact the Information Team: