Careers guidance in schools

Schools have a legal duty to provide independent careers guidance. Most families do not know it.

What it is

Schools must secure independent careers guidance for pupils in years 8 to 13, presenting the full range of education and training options including apprenticeships and technical routes.

Where it applies

All state secondary schools. The Gatsby Benchmarks are the standard schools are measured against.

How it works

The Baker Clause requires schools to give providers of technical education and apprenticeships access to pupils, so that academic routes are not presented as the only option.

The eight Gatsby Benchmarks cover a stable careers programme, labour market information, addressing each pupil's needs, linking curriculum to careers, encounters with employers and with further and higher education, experience of workplaces, and personal guidance.

What you can ask for

Ask who the careers leader is and what the programme includes for your child's year group.

Ask for a personal guidance interview — the benchmarks expect one by the end of year 11 and another in the sixth form.

If only university routes are being presented, ask specifically about apprenticeships and T Levels. The Baker Clause exists because that happened routinely.

Where to get help

The National Careers Service is free and open to all ages, by phone and web chat. The school's careers leader. The Careers and Enterprise Company publishes the benchmarks.