Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps are being taken to ensure the impartiality of the online careers advice service recommended in the Department's statutory guidance to schools.

The statutory guidance for schools on careers guidance and inspiration, published by the Department for Education, underpins the duty on schools to secure independent careers guidance for pupils in years 8-13. Organisations and careers services named throughout the statutory document and the accompanying non-statutory document are provided as examples of good practice and are not specifically endorsed by government. It is for schools to decide how best to fulfil their legal requirements in accordance with the needs of their pupils, and online careers advice services may form part of their independent careers provision.

As stated in the statutory guidance, the National Careers Service offers information and professional advice about education, training and work to adults and young people aged 13 years and over. Pupils and their parents can access support via a website, helpline and web chat. The National Careers Service contractors, website and helpline advisers all hold and adhere to the government’s Matrix Standard, the recognised national quality standard for information, advice and guidance services. Award of the Standard is contingent on the provision of an impartial, professional service.