Careers Programme

Introduction

At Connex we are committed to providing all our young people with a comprehensive programme of careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) and work-related learning. Effective preparation for adulthood and enabling our young people to make choices, contribute to their own lives and community and be as independent as possible is at the heart of our work at Connex. 

The main statutory guidance related to Careers in education settings is currently the Careers Guidance and Access for Education and Training Providers (2023) alongside The Gatsby Benchmarks Gatsby Benchmarks | The Careers and Enterprise Company; neither of which focus on Careers Education for SEND schools therefore we have interpreted this guidance to ensure it is meaningful and relevant and therefore meeting the needs of our students. However, the aims of careers education are the same for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND):

1. Independent living.
2. Independent working.
3. Choice.
4. Hope and optimism.
5. Adaptability and resilience.
6. Access to and engagement in decent work in all its forms (personal, gift and paid work).
7. Opportunities to learn and make progress.
8. The pursuit of wellbeing and happiness.

Source: SEND Gatsby Benchmark toolkit (2018)

Careers, Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and The SEND Code of Practice

As a SEND school we are governed ultimately by The Department for Education SEND Code of Practice 2015. This key document states that it is important that young people start to think about their aspirations as early as possible and that, from year 9 at the latest, there is help to start planning for a successful transition to adulthood. This includes setting challenging and ambitious outcomes and exploring further education or training that will enable young people to secure paid work and other opportunities for a positive adult life.

For students with more complex needs, a coordinated assessment process or Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), which can continue up to the age of 25, can help set out goals and support needs in relation to the four areas of Preparing for Adulthood:

• Moving into paid employment and higher education
• Independent living
• Having friends and relationships and being part of the community
• Being as healthy as possible

All students attending Uplands will have an EHCP and a yearly review of this plan.  All students will have long term outcomes that are relevant for further education/work, independent living, community and relationships and good health. Long term outcomes will be reviewed at the end of each key stage or earlier if achieved or change is required.

A wide range of career related activity takes place leading up to an Annual Review, including gaining the student views about their future, enabling their full contribution to the review itself, reviewing career related outcomes and yearly targets and working with families and a network of professionals to ensure career guidance is relevant, impartial and based student aspirations and long-term outcomes.

The aims of CEIAG are the same for all young people: independent living and working, choice, hope and optimism, adaptability and resilience, access to and engagement in decent work in all its forms (personal, gift and paid work), opportunities to learn and make progress, and the pursuit of wellbeing and happiness.

Where the differences lie for young people with SEND is in how they need to learn, their priorities within that learning, how far they can get, at what rate they can progress and the willingness of the businesses and people around them to accommodate their needs.

Assessing the impact of the careers programme at Connex 

As part of a culture of continuous improvement, regular reviews are carried out and stakeholder feedback is utilised, for example through the annual review process and student and employer feedback from work related learning and employer visits, as well as utilising destination data, to continually strive to improve the careers programme at Connex.

Progress towards EHCP outcomes are a key indicator of the impact of our careers programme; supporting young people to develop their employability and communication skills in preparation for adulthood. 

The careers programme is reviewed through: 

• Regular communication and meetings 
• Termly planning meetings 
• Feedback from stakeholders
• Reviews three times a year 
• Improvement planning and our careers action plan

Connex Careers Team

The staff named above can also be contacted via the school office, on telephone number 01793 493905

Employers

Connex welcomes partnerships with local employers for career and work-related learning opportunities including work experience and employer visits or workplace visits for our young people.  Obtaining professional work experience in an area of their interest is of vital importance to our young people, in terms of skills development, future employment prospects, community involvement and personal wellbeing. There are also considerable opportunities and benefits for the employer, their staff and organisation.  

If you feel you might be able to support or provide any of these careers related activities, including work experience, please contact our Careers Lead, Victoria Carless on email: vcarless@connexap.org.uk

Connex Careers Policy

Careers Provider Access Policy