Agenda item

The scoping report presents the Task Group with the initial information gathered and asks them to decide whether to proceed with the review based on the suggested methodology and timetable and agree some appropriate visit/meeting dates or to revise the suggested methodology and timetable.

Members considered a report that outlined the proposed scrutiny topic submitted by Cllr D’Agorne on national and local developments in the provision of careers education, information and guidance (CEIAG) to young people in schools.

Members noted that since September 2012 schools were now legally responsible for securing access to independent and impartial careers guidance for all pupils in Years 9 to 11. Careers guidance  consisted of services and programmes intended to assist pupils to make and implement education, training and occupation choices and to learn how to manage their careers. In developing their provision for pupils schools were free to decide what careers provision to make available in accordance with the needs of their pupils. Schools could choose to either buy into the Local Authorities programme of careers activities or develop their own initiatives.

Officers confirmed that the Local Authority were working towards achieving the matrix Standard which was the governments badge of quality for information and advice about learning and work. To achieve this standard officers needed to demonstrate that they provided a high quality and impartial service.

Members noted that each school also had the opportunity to achieve one of the quality awards that were available for providing a high level of CEIAG provision.

In answer to Members questions officers confirmed that:

·        Huntington Secondary School and York High were the only two schools in York to hold the Local Quality Mark which equated to the National Standard.

·        as a provider City of York Council (CYC) ensured all staff providing CEIAG were either qualified to level 6 or were working towards it.

·        the  matrix Standard would be awarded to CYC later this year.

·        Manor and Canon Lee were the only two Secondary Schools in York who currently did not purchase any level of careers guidance from CYC.

·        a free core offer was available to schools to help with children that were or could fall within NEET(Not in Education, Employment or Training).

·        a Service Level Agreement (SLA) was drawn up with all those schools who choose to purchase a service from CYC.

·        the CYC 14-19 Team were working with Years 11 and 12 students to raise awareness of vocational alternatives such as apprenticeships.

·        training providers  were a mix of public and private sector providers who found placements for employees and delivered National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ’s).

·        representatives from all secondary state schools within the City had formed a Careers Network Group.

The task group considered the suggested methodology and timetable and agreed that to enable them to indentify the standard of CEIAG for young people in York they would:

·        receive from officers examples of all the programmed careers activities on offer, a standard model of an SLA and the fees charged.

·        invite all the Careers Network Group, training providers such as the Chamber of Commerce, Nestle, Aviva, North Yorkshire Business and Education Partnership Ltd (NYBEP) and the 14-19 team to an information gathering event.

·        talk to a selection of young people and parents to gather their views on their CEIAG experience.

·        attend a college open evening or Year 9 options talk.

·        receive feedback from the Youth Council and the ‘Tell me that I matter Panel’.

·        consider the transition years from KS2 in Primary Schools to Secondary Schools and what focus Primary Schools apply.

·        consider visiting a number of state schools within the City.

·        possibly supplement the information gained by sending a questionnaire to all schools.

Cllr D’Agorne informed Members that he would also provide feedback on a Leeds Conference he had attended regarding ‘The Importance of Employee Engagement’.

Members agreed that the review should be completed by 31July 2013.

Resolved: (i) That the review based on the timetable detailed in  Annex E and above be agreed.

(ii) That a selection of informal and formal meetings be arranged.

(iii)   That an information gathering event be organised.

(iiii) That officers send further back ground information to Members

Reason: To ensure compliance with scrutiny procedures, protocols and the committees annual workplan.