The Connexions SLA ensures for each school the continued commitment that 1 in 3 of the pupils will have a minimum of one hour's face-face contact time with an adviser; for all pupils to have small group or class based sessions led by an adviser; for advisers to engage in other activities in the school, including parents evenings, parent or teacher meetings; to support pupils outside of school time.
In addition, a council contribution will be made to support the full cost of the work required to support those pupils and students who come within two key groups:
- Those Children who are Looked After (LAC)
- Those children with 'Special Educational Needs and Disabilities' (SEND) who have an EHC Plan
The service offer enables schools to demonstrate that they are fully meeting their statutory commitments in this area and will contribute towards the Gatsby 'Good Careers Guidance' benchmarks.
High schools
- A named Adviser linked to the school (plus additional advisers where school size demands this) throughout the academic year.
- One to one Information, Advice and Guidance counselling sessions with up to 1 in 3 of the students in your school from advisers qualified to the highest level for careers guidance practice in schools.
- All students interviewed will be offered a summary of their session(s) in the form of a Career Action Plan or similar document as well as supporting careers information.
- Attendance at review meetings for those with Education Health and Care Plans.
- Feedback to school staff on planned destinations.
- A focus on interventions with those students who are vulnerable and/or with special educational needs.
- Home visiting of students where attendance at school is poor.
- Group and Class work sessions – a minimum of two sessions led by a Connexions adviser per each pupil in the school (or a variation of this arrangement that best meets the needs of the school). The group sessions will be planned alongside other activities and will have learning outcomes as outlined in the CDI Career Development Framework
- Helping students with applications to Apprenticeships, Colleges and Universities; arranging visits to training providers and colleges.
- Support to those seeking Apprenticeships with help and advice on applications, CVs and interview skills.
- Supporting students to make choices using packages and resources, eg. KUDOS, Grofar, Unifrog.
- Attendance at Parents evenings and any other events planned by the school.
- A full Post 16 Destinations analysis and report on the activities of school leavers.
- An annual update of destinations of past cohorts and the opportunity to track leavers for three years.
- Invitations to events such as ‘Get Up & Go’ for those pupils seeking vocational pathways at 16 plus.
- Exam Results Day(s) – Adviser attendance in school on results days and additional support during the summer period for those needing help finding a place in learning.
- Support with the organisation of any in-school careers activities and events.
- Connexions management support to audit CEIAG in the school and to work toward the 'Quality in Careers Standard' (QICS).
Special Schools
- A named Adviser linked to the school (plus additional advisers where school size demands this) throughout the academic year.
- Connexions works to provide a fully customised service that recognises and responds to the needs of each pupil/student and their families.
- Contact with advisers for both the young person and their parents/carers as well as teachers, will be regular
- Face to Face guidance around work and learning interests and choices and identification of appropriate pathways in line with 'Preparing for Adulthood'.
- Provision of reports relating to Transition.
- Person Centred Planning sessions
- Advice about specialist provision – where appropriate.
- Signposting for advice and information to other appropriate services
- Advice about independent travel training provision.
- Home Visits can be undertaken where appropriate
- Attendance at Parent’s Events/Evenings/Consultations Y7 –Y13/14.
- A minimum of Two Class/Group work sessions per each pupil in the school or a variation of this arrangement that meets the needs of the school. This may follow a pick and mix model based on needs of each year group and/or by ability/vulnerability.
- Arranging of visits and assessments to specialist 16 plus provision, including out of area Independent Providers – where appropriate.
- Continuous support to pupils and parents/carers during holiday periods, including home visiting where necessary.
- Support for PSHE programmes and for other activities, campaigns or projects as appropriate. This can include visits to 16+ providers.
- E-Clips – free, careers specific information, supporting one-one guidance outcomes and actions.
- Connexions management support to audit CE-IAG in the school and to work toward the 'Quality in Careers Standard' (QICS).
Middle Schools
- A named Personal Adviser linked to school.
- One to One Guidance interviews with a proportion of Yr 8 pupils (1 in 3) and any other pupils as identified by the school as having potential to benefit from adviser intervention.
- A focus on interventions with those students who are vulnerable and/or with special educational needs.
- All students interviewed will receive a written summary of their session(s) in the form of a Career Action Plan or similar document as well as supporting information.
- Attendance at Yr 8 Parents evenings/events.
- Class/Group work sessions - to fit the school's careers programme and the CDI Framework
- Feedback to School Staff where appropriate on pupil career-learning interests and ambitions, and on any potential barriers to progression identified.
- Home Visits will also be undertaken where appropriate and/or requested.
- Continuous support to pupils and parents/carers during holiday periods, including home visiting where necessary.
- E-Clips – free, careers specific information, supporting one-one guidance outcomes and actions..
- Support with any in-school CE-IAG events.
- Connexions management support to audit CE-IAG in the school and to work toward the 'Quality in Careers Standard' (QICS).
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