Training for careers leaders in schools NICE Symposium: Innovation in the training of career advisors Friday 6 October 2017 University of Padova, Italy David Andrews (Visiting Fellow) and Professor Tristram Hooley International Centre for Guidance Studies University of Derby, UK
Career guidance in England 1973-2012: the partnership approach Schools provided careers information programmes of career education work experience The external career guidance service provided career advice and guidance support for careers information support for career education
Two professional roles In the careers service Careers Adviser provided career guidance, in one-to-one interviews or small groups professional qualification – usually a one-year, postgraduate, taught course in a university (Qualification in Career Guidance) In the school Careers Teacher (later, Careers Coordinator) provided careers information and career education, and referred pupils to careers adviser usually a teacher but, more recently, some from other backgrounds no professional qualification in careers, but training courses available, some with accreditation
Career guidance in England from 2012: a school-commissioning model Schools provide careers information programmes of career education a range of activities with employers Schools have a statutory duty to secure access to career guidance for their pupils by commissioning the services of an external career adviser or employing their own careers adviser
The role of teachers As pastoral tutors information, advice and support As teachers linking subject teaching to careers teaching careers education Leadership roles Careers Leader senior leader with overall responsibility for careers
Careers Leader Leadership Advising senior leadership on policy, strategy and resources Preparing and implementing a strategic plan for careers Reviewing and evaluating the careers programme Reporting to senior leaders and governors Project Management Planning schemes of work for careers education Briefing and supporting teachers of careers education Monitoring teaching and learning in careers education Supporting tutors providing initial information and advice Monitoring access to, and take up of, careers guidance Managing the work of the careers adviser
Line Management Managing the work of the careers administrator Co-ordination Working with librarian to manage the provision of careers information Working with PSHE leader, and other subject leaders, to plan careers education Liaising with tutorial managers to identify pupils needing guidance Referring pupils to careers advisers Networking Establishing and developing links with colleges, universities and apprenticeship providers Establishing and developing links with employers Commissioning career guidance services
Actions to embed the role of careers leader We need to recognise in the role in national policy Careers leaders do not constitute a profession on their own some have an existing professional identity (e.g. teachers) “hybrid professional” some are not recognised as a professional (e.g. administrators, teaching assistants, mentors) some are already part of the wider careers profession (careers advisers) We need to professionalise the role while not claiming a new profession
National Occupational Standards for careers leaders Part of the NOS: Career Development Set out Performance Criteria and Knowledge & Understanding for the role of leading and managing career development work in an organisation Owned by the Career Development Institute (the UK-wide professional body)
Continuing Professional Development for Careers Leaders: what is needed Short, non-accredited, introductory courses Longer, accredited courses leading to a qualification Communities of practice
CPD for careers leaders: past and present Higher education certificate and diploma courses (1970s – present) (e.g. Canterbury Christ Church University, Understanding Careers Education and Guidance) Open learning resource pack (1990) Work-based qualification in coordinating careers education and guidance (1999) Competency-based qualification (e.g. Level 6 Certificate in Careers Leadership) TeachFirst pilot (2015 – 2018)
Case studies of 27 careers leaders: careers qualifications Training courses and qualifications Number Masters 2 HE certificate or diploma 6 Competency-based qualification 4 Qualification in senior leadership Teach First pilot Careers adviser qualification 5 Short, unaccredited courses only 9 No formal training
CPD for careers leaders: options for the future Programmes and courses mandatory core and optional modules choice of approaches taught course competency-based part of middle leadership qualification higher apprenticeship accreditation should be available Communities of practice face-to-face online