March 2026
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This conference focused on next steps for careers guidance in England.
It followed the Department for Education’s latest updated statutory guidance, with expectations for all secondary schools, colleges and independent providers to have implemented the revised Gatsby Benchmarks from September 2025. Delegates discussed implementation progress, issues and next steps, with the renewed emphasis on embedding careers education across the curriculum, strengthening senior oversight within education settings, and the requirement for institutions to be able to demonstrate the impact on learners' progression.
It also took place following the Curriculum and Assessment Review’s final report and recommendations published in November 2025, with their focus on how pupils are supported to understand progression routes and make informed choices - alongside implementation of Ofsted’s new inspection framework, which places greater weight on leadership oversight and how well schools prepare pupils for next stages of education, training and employment.
Practicalities, governance & priorities for staff
The conference brought stakeholders and policymakers together to consider immediate priorities and practical implications for schools and colleges, including requirements for evidencing impact, implementing clearer lines of accountability, and how to tackle additional workload associated with reporting. This included what will be needed for readying school governance structures, career mentors and subject teachers to embed adequate careers education across the curriculum, as well as demonstrating progress through Compass and Compass+ which support schools and colleges to report, benchmark and track strategic careers advice.
Delegates discussed strategies for improving access to targeted CPD for subject staff, clarifying on reporting expectations, and assessing resource implications where schools or career hubs have limited capacity.
Work placements, employer engagement & provision for pupils facing disadvantage
The agenda examined key issues for meeting the Government’s pledge to guarantee work experience for young people and strengthen employer encounters. We expected discussion to reflect employer calls for clearer practical support, including in the organisation and coordination of placements, avoiding duplication of safeguarding checks, and frameworks for local coordination to reduce the cost and administrative burden of participation.
With the expectation of a two-week work placement by the age of 16, sessions considered operational requirements, how career hubs and local partnerships can assist in consistent provision across regions, and the role of brokerage and incentive mechanisms to engage small and medium-sized enterprises.
Delegates considered targeted approaches for tackling issues facing pupils with disadvantage or additional needs, including availability of appropriate placements. Support for employer awareness and reasonable-adjustment training was discussed, as well as transport and access funding for disadvantaged pupils, and standardised safeguarding checks for placement hosts, alongside strategies for areas where local employer capacity is uneven. Options for utilising digital tools to widen access to careers guidance were also considered.
Progression pathways, skills & Youth Guarantee implementation
Plans set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper were examined, looking at transitioning to the new Jobs and Careers Service moving forward. Sessions focused on coordination between schools, colleges and the new service.
The role of combined authorities in engagement with employers and improving regional coordination was considered, looking at new measures proposed in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. We also expected a focus on developing targeted investment in underserved areas, and strategies for monitoring outcomes of placements, as well as options for tailored employment services and qualifications in line with regional labour market requirements.
Priorities for ensuring that guidance and work placements prepare learners for post-16 qualification options and progression pathways were discussed. This included frameworks for effectively involving employers in curriculum design to better align learning with providing skills needed in the workplace, and effective practice in utilising labour market intelligence to inform placement content.
Careers guidance support for successful delivery of the Youth Guarantee was explored, including early identification of those at risk of being out of education, employment or training, coordination with local employment services to reduce NEET risk and support re-engagement.
Careers workforce
Further sessions looked at priorities for expanding training pipelines to help build dedicated careers capacity, including integration of careers guidance into initial teacher training and professional development for subject teachers. Longer-term investment needs and strategies for retention of careers professionals were assessed, alongside how employer input can help embed business insights into training.
As well as key stakeholders, those attending included parliamentary pass-holders from both Houses of Parliament and officials from the Department for Business and Trade; Department for Education; Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; Home Office; Department of Education, NI; Department for the Economy, NI; Department of Education and Youth, ROI; Skills England; Home Office; and the Welsh Government.
