Information Entitlements
The development of Connexion Resource Areas / Careers Libraries is informed by various legislation, standards and guidelines.
Standard 3 of the national Quality Standards for Young People's Information, Advice and Guidance (2008) relates to young people's entitlement to the information they need to make well-informed and realistic decisions about learning and careers. This is defined as including information on the full range of learning and career options; progression opportunities and pathways to HE; labour market information; information about financial support; the local area prospectus; the Connexions service; Connexions Direct; and awareness of community, voluntary and other developmental activities.
Quality, Choice and Aspiration - A strategy for young people's information, advice and guidance (2009) . gives recognition to the capacity that technology has for enabling young people to acquire relevant information quickly from a variety of sources before making their decisions
Supporting Choices 11–19+ (produced by the National Association of Connexions Partners, the Institute of Career Guidance and the Association for Career Education and Guidance) provides a framework for implementing a 14-19 entitlement to Information, Advice and Guidance. The following extract from the document acts as a useful guide for staff developing and managing the content of Connexions Resource Centres / Careers Libraries:
All young people should have ready access to high quality information about opportunities and choices.
Information provision will:
- Cover the full range of issues and opportunities needed to support the young person’s personal, social emotional and career development as identified through the Connexions Resource Centre Index (CRCI).
- Provide details of all relevant opportunities and choices available locally, and in neighbouring travel to work and learn areas for:
- Learning Work
- Health and personal welfare
- Volunteering
- Sports & leisure activities
- Rights, entitlements and responsibilities
- Information, advice, guidance and support
- Be available at key points of transition when important career decisions have to be made, and in particular at ages:
- 13/14+
- 16+
- 17/18+ (and up to 25 for young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities)
- Support choices and pathways for progression throughout ages 11 – 19+
- Promote equally positive images of achievement and progression through academic and vocational pathways
- Promote their health and well-being.
Information provision needs to be:
- Up-to-date
- Easily accessible for all levels of ability and need, clearly produced and in formats readily understandable to all users
- Supported in its use through taught careers education and PSHE activities and ‘Pathways’ events for young people and their parents/carers at 14+, 16+ and 18+
- Consulted and evaluated with young people to ensure it meets their needs.
