If you’re a careers leader feeling drained from this year while already thinking about what the new statutory duty means for next year’s programme, then don’t worry – UCAS is here to help. Your key focus should be making careers meaningful for students and working with others to bring that to life.
Here are five practical tips to help you inspire students, engage staff, and achieve big impact on a tight budget.
1. Plan with a purpose
The good news is the statutory duty hasn’t completely changed. If you follow the Gatsby benchmarks, paying attention to the new ‘musts, shoulds, and coulds’, you’ll be fine. The DfE also doesn’t expect you to be fully compliant with changes by 1 September, but they do expect a plan. Join the UCAS webinar on 8 July to hear expert planning advice for next year, and use our year planner featuring key awareness weeks, events, and conferences as well as key dates, all in one place.
2. Make it a team effort
New guidance stresses the role of SLT and teaching staff, especially for Gatsby 4 as careers must now link across all the curriculum. Help colleagues see the benefits (like better student engagement), and highlight how they’re probably already contributing, you just need to record that.
3. Build your external network
Gatsby 6 now requires enhanced first-hand experiences of work. That includes events and activities, as well as traditional work experience (could be in person or online). You’ll need strong employer partnerships – so start networking now. Remember the duty is yours, not theirs, so think about what could be in it for them, such as a chance for them to develop their own staff through mentoring young people.
4. Personal guidance
Firmly on your ‘musts’ list should be a guidance session for every student by age 16 and another by 18, delivered by a Level 6 or 7 personal guidance qualified adviser (not the same as the Level 6 Careers Leader qualification). If you don’t yet have this in place, consider briefing your adviser better about students. Also ensure your plan follows the Career Development Institute’s (CDI) recommendation that sessions should be a minimum of 45 minutes.
5. Get help
A lot is being asked of you but you’re not alone. Leverage help from the CDI, CEC, and the UCAS Hub, which offers discovery events and planning resources to get you ready for the year ahead. UCAS sponsors The Careers Circle, an online community platform for careers leaders and careers advisers you can join, sharing best practice with monthly virtual coffee sessions and training opportunities.
You’ve got this – and UCAS is here to help.
