We have put together some questions that we have been asked (and their answers). Your query may be among them. If not please contact the team using our contact form.
The college I work for has already achieved the matrix quality standard for information advice and guidance services, how do the IAG standards fit in with the matrix Standard?
The IAG standards are to support the development of consistently high quality and impartial IAG. They define the expectations of services that local authorities will commission and manage.
It has been recognised that organisations who have achieved matrix already provide a high quality of CE/IAG. Therefore, if your college has achieved the matrix Standard then you are part of the way to achieving the IAG Quality Standards.
The Connexions Development team have mapped the IAG Quality Standards and the matrix Standards. The document below illustrates how the standards map against the matrix Standards:
| IAG Standard | matrix Element(s) relating most closely to IAG standard |
| 1. Young people are informed about how information, advice and guidance services can help them and how to access the services they need | 1. People are made aware of the service and how to engage with it |
| 2. Young people receive IAG on personal wellbeing and financial capability issues that they need | Some crossover with elements 3 and 4 but these are part of the ‘Personal Development Curriculum’ advocated within the 14-19 reforms and, therefore, fairly new |
| 3. Young people have the information they need to make well-informed and realistic decisions about learning and careers | 3. People are provided with access to information and support in using it |
| 4. Young people have the advice and guidance that they need to make well-informed and realistic decisions about learning and career options | 4. People are supported in exploring options and making choices |
| 5. IAG services promote equality of opportunity, celebrate diversity and challenge stereotypes | This relates, in varying degrees, to elements 1, 5, 6, and (to some extent) 7 and 8 |
| 6. Young people (reflecting the make-up of their communities) are engaged in the design, delivery and evaluation of IAG provision | This standard relates to elements 1,2 and 5 but mostly to the feedback/quality improvement elements (7 and 8) |
| 7. Parents and carers know how IAG services can help their children and know how these services are accessed | Elements 1,2, 7 and 8 relate to this standard but not explicitly in terms of working with parents |
| 8. IAG providers understand their roles and responsibilities | Most closely relates to elements 5 and 6 but to all elements to one extent or another |
| 9. Programmes of career and personal development for young people are planned and provided collaboratively | 5. Service delivery is planned and maintained (although there is no reference to ‘programmes of career and personal development’ here) |
| 10. Staff providing IAG are appropriately qualified, work to relevant professional standards and receive continuous professional development | 6. Staff competence and support they are given to deliver the service |
| 11. IAG services are regularly and systematically monitored, reviewed and evaluated and actions are taken to improve services in response to the findings | Continuous quality improvement is ensured through monitoring, evaluation and action |
| 12 Processes for commissioning impartial IAG services are effective and result in services that will meet the needs of young people and their parents/carers | This relates quite closely to element 5 (Service delivery is planned and maintained) but obviously there are no references to ‘commissioning’ |
How many hours of CEG schools are required to deliver?
Careers Education is a statutory requirement from years 7 onwards. There are no set allocations for careers education but Careers Education and Guidance in a Nutshell suggests:
This can be across the curriculum.
I have recently been appointed careers co-ordinator, I am unsure what my roles and responsibilities are. Where can I find information and support about what I need to do?
The role of the careers co-ordinator is to assist young people's career learning, planning and development by leading and managing the development of careers education and IAG (CEIAG) in the school.
Your Connexions PA and the central Connexions services are able to offer you support with planning CE/IAG and training. Contact the Development Team or Client Information Team for advice or support.
CEGNET provides lots of information, lesson plans and practical help on leading, managing and delivering effective careers education. There is also a job description for a careers co-ordinator.
I am a teacher in a Salford Secondary School and am planning to deliver some lessons via PSHE about local labour market information (LMI). Are there any resources to help me with this?
The Work Matters website provides information and supporting tools for labour market lessons. There is a folder which accompanies this and all schools in Salford can obtain a copy free of charge from Connexions. Speak to your Connexions Personal Adviser or contact the Development Team on 0161 245 4871 or e-mail.
Careers Advice produce sector fact sheets which provide LMI forecasts for a number of sectors.
LMI is important for a number of reasons:
Cnx2 Your Future and the Moving On report can provide useful information relating to local progression and opportunities.
What do young people need to know?
What are the benefits of providing a strong careers education programme?
Young people are expected to make more and more decisions about their future, at increasingly early ages.
A strong careers education programme can support young people to make decisions about their future in a more informed way. The ability to make a decision with knowledge and confidence is a skill that will support people throughout life, so starting early is crucial. The three main areas which careers education should focus on are Self Development, Career Exploration and Career Management
Other benefits of a strong programme are:
How can I get support to enhance CE/IAG in my organisation?
You can contact the Development Team who provide support to suit your requirements. You can also go to CEGNET a website dedicated to supporting the delivery of careers education, information, advice and guidance.
Why should I bother with the Quality Standards for Young People’s Information advice and guidance?