CDI Conference 7 November 2013 Denise Bertuchi Assistant National Officer UNISON Education and Children’s Services

CDI Conference 7 November 2013 Adult Guidance With regards to the service for adults there is an ongoing tension between the twin pillars of cost and the commitment to quality through the matrix standard assessment.

CDI Conference 7 November 2013 Adult Guidance  There is much to applaud in the National Careers Service offer of guidance through online, telephone, and face to face support; which was built on the fully integrated operation formally provided by the Next Steps contract. The NCS for adults has set wide ranging aims and objectives which are being successfully matched by delivery targets throughout the country.

CDI Conference 7 November 2013 Adult Guidance and Targets An issue facing staff working for the NCS is that the work is target driven with too much time spent on recording the work that has taken place rather than on providing careers guidance. The time required to provide effective advice has been grossly underestimated Any move towards payment by outcomes will be detrimental to the quality of the service and a massive step backwards

CDI Conference 7 November 2013 Supply and demand – the role of Career Development “Independent careers advice and guidance has never been as important for young people as it is today..... Young people deserve better than the service they are likely to receive under the current arrangements. Schools cannot simply be left to get on with it” Education Select Cttee July 2012

CDI Conference 7 November 2013 What the CBI say Careers advice is on "life support" in many schools in England with teenagers having little knowledge of the workplace... careers guidance must improve for young people faced with a rapidly changing labour market

CDI Conference 7 November 2013 Demonisation of the careers service It has been open season on the professionals and the service with an endless unfounded critique by the government This is despite all the reports which provide evidence about the vital role the service and the professionals provide to the health of society and the economy

CDI Conference 7 November 2013 How did we get where we are? In the last 18 years this service has been privatised, nationalised, localised and now cauterised It has continued operating up until now due the commitment, professionalism and determination of its staff working with young people to secure the best outcomes for them in education, employment and training

CDI Conference 7 November 2013 Why the Careers service is essential Careers advisers are advocates for young people and adults They help navigate through the complex choices of qualifications,training,employment They work with government, employers and industry in meeting skills needs

CDI Conference 7 November 2013 The Careers Service role with Industry The CBI has identified that there are 47 different employment initiatives for employers in England alone, which offer funding and support for businesses taking on and training young unemployed people. Busy firms need the whole process to be easier to navigate

CDI Conference 7 November 2013 The Careers Service and the Economy The CBI report, Tomorrow’s Growth, argues that the UK will fail to close its chronic skills gaps without urgent action to boost advanced ‘learn as you earn’ training and more business-designed degrees and recommends the creation of more inspiring careers information and guidance and more support for schools to meet their statutory duties It also recognises the vital role to be played by face to face guidance

CDI Conference 7 November 2013 Challenges  the absence of regulatory rigour and safeguards within the new legislation and the cuts the service has faced have led to a postcode lottery on the type and level of careers advice available  the effectiveness of careers guidance is directly linked to the quality and accessibility of the services offered this relates to both targeted and universal advice

CDI Conference 7 November 2013 What is wrong with market forces and local determination? Can be subjective and dependant on local political views and knowledge of the importance of the careers service Research evidence supports this

CDI Conference 7 November 2013 UNISON Campaign The careers service is an essential public service and we are campaigning for the recognition that this and the professionals delivering the service deserve.

CDI Conference 7 November 2013 UNISON Campaign UNISON believes that high quality careers guidance: Is vital for all people at critical stages in their lives– at school, when leaving full-time education, entering the workplace, facing redundancy or changing direction Should be available for people when they need it, where they need it and through a channel that works for them

CDI Conference 7 November 2013 UNISON Campaign Benefits all young people, from whatever background or ability Must be delivered by impartial, professionally qualified careers guidance professionals And it vital for the health of the economy and society