The new statutory requirements in careers guidance in England and the implications for careers provision under the Coalition government

Abstract

The Education Act 2011 passed responsibility for careers guidance in England from local authorities to schools, providing no extra funding or staff training. This paper reports on a project conducted in two schools in East London, which aimed to enhance careers work in response to the new requirements. It argues that whilst schools can enhance their careers programme, the new arrangements have left them with requirements they do not have the funding, expertise, or networks to fulfil. This move by the Coalition Government is contributing to a process of deterioration of careers provision in England, involving the undermining of the careers profession and the diminishing of professionalism in careers provision.