Careers (CEIAG) at Children’s Support Service

Our vision at CSS – “Be the Best You Can Be”, underpinned by our values of Respect, Resilience and Aspiration, form the foundation for our careers programme. We believe that every young person should have the chance to find their “best next step”, and our careers programme is designed to help all pupils to do that. Our message to pupils is this: every day in school is an investment into your future!

Our Careers programme is built around the eight Gatsby Benchmarks, and our aim is to provide age-appropriate Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance of the highest quality to our students during their time with us, however long that may be.

We realise that since we are an alternative provision, our pupils may have experienced disruption to their education or face barriers to their future pathways, so our approach to CEIAG is personalised to make sure each pupil receives appropriate support in making informed decisions about their next steps.

The Gatsby Benchmarks: a framework for excellence

Our Careers programme is built around the eight Gatsby Benchmarks, which represent best practice in careers education:

1. A stable careers programme – a structured careers programme with clear leadership and commitment

2. Learning from career and labour market information – pupils, teachers and parents have access to up-to-date information about future pathways, study options and career opportunities

3. Addressing the needs of each pupil – we provide personalised support according to individual needs and circumstances

4. Linking curriculum learning to careers – all teachers highlight the relevance of the skills and knowledge developed in their subject for a wide range of career pathways, as well as progression routes

5. Encounters with employers and employees – pupils have opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace – we aim for at least one per year

6. Experiences of workplaces – pupils have opportunities to have first-hand, meaningful experiences of workplaces to help their exploration of career opportunities and expand their networks

7. Encounters with further and higher education – pupils have opportunities for meaningful encounters with providers of the full range of learning opportunities, including sixth forms, colleges, universities and independent training providers – please also see our Provider Access Policy.

8. Personal guidance – by the age of 16, every pupil will have at least one personal guidance meeting with a qualified Careers Adviser

Key Stages 1 & 2

Learning

The PSHRE programme in Key Stages 1 & 2 incorporates the recommendations from the PSHE Association to include learning about both Economic Wellbeing and Careers Education: aspirations, learning and work.

Encounters and Experiences

We are part of the “My Future My Basildon” programme which is designed to provide pupils with opportunities to encounter role models from the world of work. We want this to help them to start thinking about what they might like to do in their future working life,  as well as learn about the world of work and how this is connected to their education. Below is the programme for 2025 – 2026.

We also provide opportunities for encounters with employers and employees where possible, in collaboration with our Secondary PSHRE and Careers department.

Key Stage 3

Learning

All Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils access Careers education through their weekly PSHRE lessons, where they are encouraged to start considering how their personality, skills, qualities and interests might align with a future career path. They will:

• explore their own strengths, interests and values
• learn how and where to research jobs and careers
• begin to understand and develop employability skills using the Skills Builder Framework – listening, speaking, problem-solving, creativity, adapting, planning, leadership and teamwork
• experience financial education including making financial decisions and managing money
• learn how all subjects include elements of careers education (GB4)

Encounters and Experiences

All Year 7, 8 & 9 pupils will be given opportunities to:

• have at least two encounters with providers of further education training, technical training and apprenticeships (Gatsby Benchmark 7, Provider Access Policy)
• meet with local employers and employees to learn about different career paths (Gatsby Benchmark 5)
• experience workplaces through visits and activities in line with the Equalex Framework (Gatsby Benchmark 6)                     

Key Stage 4

Learning

In Years 10 and 11, the focus is on preparing for next steps and selecting appropriate post-16 destinations with our intensive, personalised support to prepare every pupil for their chosen pathway. All Key Stage 4 students continue to access Careers education through their weekly PSHRE lessons, where they will:

• undergo comprehensive careers profiling via the Morrisby careers platform (Careers Advice & Guidance Online Platform - Morrisby) to identify suitable career options
• create a professional CV
• learn how to apply for jobs, college courses and apprenticeships
• experience a practice interview to build confidence in this area
• receive ongoing financial education about payslips, salary deductions, pensions and savings, budgeting and making good financial decisions, including online
• further recognise how subject learning links to careers (Gatsby Benchmark 4)
• take part in 1:1 and small-group activities with our DWP Schools Work Advisers

Personal Guidance

All pupils in Key Stage 4 are given at least one 1:1 meeting with our Connexions Careers Adviser, who provides impartial guidance on suitable next steps for each pupil (Gatsby Benchmark 8). Students with an EHCP are also seen by the Preparing for Adulthood Adviser from Essex County Council. We work closely with families to offer support in the decision-making process. Additional meetings can be arranged if required.

Encounters and Experiences

During Key Stage 4, pupils will have the opportunity to:

• have at least two meaningful encounters with providers of further education, technical training and apprenticeships (Gatsby Benchmark 7, Provider Access Policy)
• have meaningful encounters with local employers and employees from a range of sectors and industries (Gatsby Benchmark 5)
• have meaningful experiences of workplaces through visits, activities and work experience opportunities in line with the Equalex Framework (Gatsby Benchmark 6)

Medical Education Teams

The students supported by a medical education teams are dual coded and we are the subsidiary provider. In the main the responsibility for careers education sits with a student’s ‘home’ school as our programmes are short-term interventions with the goal of reintegrating students back to their mainstream. 

In Key Stage 4, students receive Careers Education within their Curriculum Enrichment lessons, including learning about next steps. During 1:1 Reintegration lessons, tutors work with students on post-16 opportunities. This may involve researching courses and career options, completing a CV, and filling out applications

In Key Stage 3, during Curriculum Enrichment lessons, students explore routes into work, training, vocational and academic opportunities.

Work is carried out with referring schools to ensure that every student with MET has the same opportunities for careers education, information, advice and guidance as their peers.

CSS Careers Team

Please get in touch if you have any questions or you need advice:

Careers Leader: Claire Howell claire.howell@css-essex.co.uk  01268 542367

Connexions Careers Adviser: Elaine Munson elainemunson@southend.gov.uk 

Link Governor: Ruth Wootton rw.mancom@css-essex.co.uk

Careers Champions

Each subject area has a “Careers Champion” who leads on CEIAG in their department as directed by the Careers Leader.

Partner Organisations

We have strong links with the following education providers and employers who support our pupils through visits, talks, workplace experience and aspirational opportunities:

Further Education providers:

• South Essex College
• USP College
• TCHC College
• Chelmsford College
• Writtle College

Apprenticeship and Training providers:

• Essex Youth Service – Apprenticeship Hub
• J-et Hairdressing
• Debut Hair and Beauty Academy
• GSQ Brickworks

Employers and Industry partners:

• Medical Mavericks
• British Army
• Morgan Sindall
• Indecon Construction
• Ductu “Open Doors” programme

If you are an employer or education provider who is interested in working with us, we would love to hear from you as we are always looking to expand our network of partners. Please contact Claire Howell (Careers Leader) claire.howell@css-essex.co.uk

Useful links and resources

Pupils are encouraged to research their options widely. Some useful sources of advice online include:

Exploring Careers

National Careers Service – explore careers, test your skills, find links and information

Morrisby Careers Platform – our online careers guidance tool (pupils will receive login details)

Skillsometer – discover careers that match your skills, using Labour Market Information

Careerometer – explore and compare different career paths, using Labour Market Information

iCould – career ideas and real-life career stories

Where Next? – labour market information for the Essex area

Southend Careers Service – the home of Connexions Careers Advice service

Apprenticeships

Essex Apprenticeship Hub – find apprenticeships and careers support in Essex

Amazing Apprenticeships – explore technical education and apprenticeship opportunities

Gov.uk Apprenticeships – search and apply for apprenticeships

Specific Careers

British Army careers – explore the wide range of roles available in the Army

Go Construct – explore the wide range of jobs available in the Construction industry

Jet Hairdressing – find out about hairdressing and barbering opportunities near you

Developing skills

Barclays Life Skills – activities to equip you for the world of work and beyond

Careers Policy

Download our full CEIAG policy here:

Our Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) policy sets out our commitment to providing a high-quality service to our pupils and details how we meet the Gatsby Benchmarks and our statutory duties under the Baker Clause.

Provider Access Policy (Baker Clause)

As required by law, we allow approved providers of technical education and apprenticeships access to our pupils to inform them about their offer.

If you are a training provider, apprenticeship provider, or further education college and would like to arrange a visit to speak to our students, please contact Claire Howell (Careers Leader) claire.howell@css-essex.co.uk

We welcome a range of enrichment activities including:

• Assemblies and talks
• Workshops and taster sessions
• Careers fairs
• Information stands at parents' evenings

Download our Provider Access Policy (Baker Clause) here: Provider Access Policy

Measuring Success

We regularly evaluate the impact of our careers programme as follows:

• Destination Data – tracking our pupils into their post 16 destinations
• Pupil Voice – gathering pupils’ view on the quality and usefulness of careers activities
• Careers Leader reports – feedback and updates to governors / Management Committee and Senior Leadership
• Compass+ self-evaluation – monitoring our provision each term against the Gatsby Benchmarks

Our most recent Compass+ scores are as follows:

We are always looking to improve these scores, and our aim is to achieve 100% in all eight Gatsby Benchmarks.

Recent Destination Data

In 2025 71% of our Year 11 leavers progressed to education, employment or training. This figure is an improvement on the previous year and we are always striving to increase the percentage of pupils who to make a positive transition to a post 16 destination in education, employment or training at the end of Year 11. Our Positive Destinations programme assists us in achieving this.

How parents / carers can support

We encourage parents and carers to take an active part in supporting their child in making decisions about their future career pathway. They can do this by:

• talking to their child about their interest, strengths, skills and qualities
• attending college open events with their child
• looking at online resources (see links above) together with their child
• discussing careers with their child’s Personal Tutor in weekly calls or termly in-person meetings
• attending any school careers events with their child
• contacting the Careers Leader (claire.howell@css-essex.co.uk) if they have questions or concerns about supporting their child in this area

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Careers at CSS

At CSS we ensure that:

• all students, regardless of background or barriers, receive high-quality careers education and guidance
• stereotypes (including concerning careers) are challenged, including gender, race, disability and all other protected characteristics
• careers provision is adapted for students with SEND or other needs

 

 

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Related documents

 

Provider Access Policy