UK Parliament Emphasizes Importance of Collaboration for Supporting Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Education and Career Planning

Strategic Insights -

The UK Parliament has emphasized the importance of collaboration among schools, colleges, local authorities, and other agencies to ensure that young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have access to the careers advice they need. Statutory guidance documents have been published to outline the roles and responsibilities of each entity in supporting the participation of young people with SEND in education and training.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK Parliament has published statutory guidance for schools and colleges on providing careers guidance and for local authorities on their duties relating to the participation of young people in education, employment, or training.
  • Schools, colleges, and local authorities must work together to ensure that young people with SEND have access to the careers advice they need, with a focus on identifying those in need of targeted support.
  • Statutory guidance states that local authorities should work with schools, colleges, and other post-16 providers to support young people to participate in education or training and to identify those in need of targeted support.
  • The Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance are expected to be used by schools and colleges to develop and improve their careers programs, with a focus on addressing the individual needs of each student.
  • The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) runs a Community of Practice focused on inclusion, which brings together schools, colleges, and training providers to share good practice and develop resources for supporting young people with SEND.
  • The UK Parliament is taking action to improve careers guidance for young people with SEND, providing support, resources, and SEND-specific training for Careers Leaders and Special Educational Needs Coordinators.

Statistics:

  • The statutory guidance documents are clear about the important role that schools, colleges, and local authorities must play in supporting young people with SEND to access careers advice.
  • The Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance include a focus on addressing the individual needs of each student, with specific benchmark 3 considering the individual needs of each student.
  • The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) funds support schools and colleges to achieve the Gatsby Benchmarks, with a focus on increasing young people's exposure to the world of work.
  • The CEC has a Community of Practice focused on inclusion, which brings together schools, colleges, and training providers to support each other in their local community.

Sources:

  • Answer from Alex Burghart MP (27 May 2022)
  • Participating in Education, Employment and Training, DfE (statutory guidance)
  • Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance (statutory guidance)
  • Careers & Enterprise Company (Community of Practice)