Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Education report entitled How well do schools prepare children for their future published in May 2017, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of taking steps to encourage an increase in the number of qualified careers guidance counsellors and the number of institutions in which they work.

The careers strategy makes clear that personal guidance from a qualified practitioner is important to help individuals make informed choices about their education, training and careers.

Secondary schools and colleges are responsible for making sure their students receive independent careers guidance with a qualified careers adviser whenever significant study or career choices are being made. We recognise the value of personal guidance and expect all schools to work towards meeting the eight Gatsby Career Benchmarks by the end of 2020. The benchmark on personal guidance advises that all young people should have a careers interview by the age of 16, and the opportunity for one further such interview by age 18.

To target support for those who need it most, the government has announced £2.5 million of funding for new innovative, cost effective models, for delivering personal careers guidance in schools and colleges. The funding will be used for personal guidance for young people, the training and ongoing continuing professional development of career guidance professionals and the development of a pipeline of qualified career guidance professionals for the future.