Careers guidance

Some young people are being failed by poor careers education and guidance. The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) review, How fair is Britain?, demonstrated that one of the drivers for positive equality outcomes is good quality careers education and guidance as it affects aspirations, subject, career choices and future pay and progress. However, it found that provision varies due to confusing requirements, weak inspection and insufficient teacher training.

The report indicates that disabled people, women and ethnic minorities are being failed in particular, either because the guidance does not meet their needs or does not effectively challenge stereotypical thinking.

Alan Christie, EHRC director of policy, said: “Schools should have [a] statutory duty to secure independent, impartial careers support for pupils, as in the Education Bill, but we also want there to be a requirement to challenge stereotypes and raise aspirations for different groups of pupils.”