The Northamptonshire Strategy for Young People’s Information, Advice, Guidance and Support (IAGS)

What is our vision?

Northamptonshire’s vision for 14-19 reform is set out in the county’s Learning Entitlement Framework for Young People aged 14-19 (see the county strategy section of this website). This framework includes their access to:

• curriculum that enables them to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to research, plan and implement a successful pathway through the 14-19 phase of their learning (careers education and work-related learning);
• tutor, mentor or supervisor support;
• impartial information, advice, guidance and support; and
• up-to-date, online information about choices and an online application process.

In Northamptonshire, this provision is summarised as Careers Education, Information, Advice, Guidance and Support (CEIAGS).  It is intended to empower each individual to:

• Be motivated, aspirational and high achieving – taking responsibility for their own future and progression;
• Develop themselves – to understand and develop their personal qualities, strengths, interests, aptitudes, aspirations, attainment and skills, and know how to apply these to the choices they make;
• Research opportunities – learning about and evaluating opportunities in education, training and work; and
• Make and carry out decisions – choosing pathways that are appropriate for them and that will enable them to achieve their potential.

The county is working towards achievement of the Quality Standards for Young People’s IAG, the six principles of impartial careers education and the national IAGS strategy. We use the regional quality award for CEIAGS, Career Mark 5, as the framework to do this.

Who is involved?

Without partnership, the vision for CEIAGS will never be achieved. Organisations working together include:

• Learning providers – mainstream and special schools, pupil referral units, colleges of further education, work-based learning providers.
• Connexions Northamptonshire.
• The Local Authority.
• Aimhigher.
• Northamptonshire Education and Work Service.
  

How is the CEIAGS strategy implemented and supported?

The CEIAGS Strategy is commissioned by the 14-19 County's Strategy Group (Achieving Economic Well-being Outcomes Group). It is lead by Linda Bristow, the IAGS Development Manager, working with representatives from the partner organisations above.

The county's CEIAGS Forum includes Linda Bristow, the five 14-19 Area Directors – Elaine Brooker (East Northants), Nick Brosnan (SWAN), Nick Pyke (Northampton), Graham Baty (North Northants) and Dawn Vessey (Wellingborough); the county's 14-19 Development Adviser, Liz Cundy; the three Learning Provider Advisers (LPA) from Connexions Northamptonshire, Sue Curtis, Stuart Carr and Gemma Johnston-Smith. Contact details for these people can be found in the 'consultancy' page in the IAGS section of this website.

On their appointment, the four area IAGS Super Champions will join this group.

Our strategy continues to focus on enabling the county to:

• Improve CEIAGS at the point of delivery to young people.
• Involve young people in the design, delivery and evaluation of CEIAGS and the strategy to improve it.
• Evidence that the county meets young people’s need for high-quality programmes of impartial careers education, and information, advice, guidance and support that enable them to successfully navigate learning pathways to, through and beyond the 14-19 phase of their learning.
• Achieve the twelve National Standards for Young Peoples IAG and meet the Statutory Guidance for Impartial Careers Education.
• Value the contribution made by CEIAGS to the success of 14-19 reform.

Following area CEIAGS audits in the five 14-19 consortia, the county’s strategy for IAGS has been revised. You can view the draft revised strategy here . It includes development points under the following headings:

• Structures
• Maintaining the profile and importance of CEIAGS
• Roles and responsibilities
• Involving young people
• Capacity building of providers of CEIAGS
• Work-force development
• Impartial:
  - Core curriculum
  - Information
  - Advice
  - Guidance
• Supporting parents
• Stereotyping and equality of opportunity
  

Where can you find out more?

You can find a copy of the draft revised CEIAGS Strategy for Northamptonshire here:

•   County Strategy for CEIAGS 2009-10 (Draft 5) [PDF 85KB]
  

To find out more about the strategy and CEIAGS Forum for your area, contact:

• Sue Curtis (Daventry, South Northants and Northampton)
• Gemma Johnston-Smith (East Northants and Wellingborough)
• Stuart Carr (North Northants)
  

Most of the information you need is in the IAGS section of this website.  Click on the main IAGS tab for details.  If you still can’t find what you want contact Linda Bristow on 01604 614903, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it