Our Services
“Excellent careers guidance makes sure there is equality of opportunity. It unlocks potential and transforms outcomes for people of all ages” (Careers Strategy: Making the Most of Everyone’s Skills and Talents, December 2017)
Directions offers a range of services, tailored to your school/academy’s requirements. This allows you can choose the number of days you may require and gives you control on how to use these. We aim to be as flexible as possible to work with you to agree on a programme to suit your school/academy and students’ needs and budget.
We provide personal guidance for students from experienced and professional advisers who are qualified to level 6/7, and regularly undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Our services help provide support to comply with statutory duties and the Gatsby Benchmarks. We also offer services to achieve and maintain quality awards such as the Quality in Careers Standard.
Independent Careers Guidance meetings/interviews
- Individual Careers Guidance meetings with an experienced Careers Adviser, professionally qualified to level 6/7
- A Career Action Plan which can be shared with the school/academy
- Drop in sessions available
- Support in keeping systematic records of personal guidance given to students
Group Activities and Workshops
- Small and class-sized groups on a range of focused activities, including the range of options at key stages 3, 4 and 5
- Employability skills/apprenticeship workshops
- Delivering careers related assemblies and presentations
- Support with arranging ‘meaningful encounters’ with employers, apprenticeship providers and colleges/universities
Consultancy and School Support Services
- Support with meeting Statutory Guidelines, Gatsby Benchmarks and Quality Awards
- INSET for staff delivering Careers Education Programmes
- Preparation for OFSTED
- Assist with collecting data – e.g. Intended Destination Survey, September Guarantee & Activity Survey
- Support with tracking activities to enable NEET reduction
- Support with keeping systematic records of personal guidance given to students
- Advising staff and students on gaining ‘workplace experiences’
- Observation of Practice of careers staff
- Support and deliver services under local/national initiatives; e.g. Make Happen
Careers Education and Guidance Programmes
- Work with the Careers Leader & school/academy staff to plan, review and evaluate the careers policy and/or structured careers programme in order to meet the needs of every student
- Organise careers fairs, mock interview days and other events
- Support and advice on maintaining up-to-date impartial careers information resources and labour market information
- Support with the careers programme, including producing resources and lesson plans
- Liaise with relevant agencies including Employers, Further and Higher Education and Training Providers
- Support with arranging ‘meaningful encounters’ with employers, apprenticeship providers and colleges/universities
Additional Needs (SEND, vulnerable, disadvantaged and gifted & talented students)
- Individual Careers Guidance meetings, including a Career Action Plan, which can be shared with the school/academy
- Group work on a range of focused activities
- Liaison with Essex County Council’s Children and Young People with Disabilities Service
- Support with transition to college or training
- Individual and/or group activities for specific students e.g. Gifted and Talented, Pupil Premium and those on Flexible Learning programmes
Supporting Parents/Carers
- Attend parent/carers’ events, including options events and consultation evenings
- Appointments with parents/carers in schools/academies
- Contributions to parent/carers’ newsletters