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Years 9, 11 and 13, particularly, are key transition points in a secondary school setting.  This is a time period when young people should be developing their own independence, making their own decisions, taking responsibility for themselves and their actions.  The decisions the person makes, with your support, are significant as they influence their life path or journey.

Below is a checklist or list of pointers for consideration to assist you in supporting the young person you care for:

• Encourage your young person to research their options by using the links in the 'Student Area' and in the 'Useful Links' sections.
  • Consider the long-term career aspiration and work backwards to the point you are at now. Some career choices require specific qualifications, for example degrees; some universities require particular qualifications at Level 3 and Level 2.  Therefore it is important to consider the long-term goal both for planning and motivational purposes.
• Check the dates of open events/days/evenings and put them in your diary. They will normally be published on the provider's website.
• Encourage the young person to discuss their options with their tutor, head of year/sixth form, the careers leader, the careers officer and the careers advisor. Alternatively contact the National Careers Service.
• Ensure application forms are completed and submitted on time. Sixth form and college applications typically open in October. The deadline will vary from provider to provider.  By submitting your application on time, it informs the provider of the demand for the courses in the following academic year, how they will resource them and construct the timetable.  Providers will try and avoid popular subject combinations being timetabled at the same time.  However, please be mindful that the courses that have low numbers and are not financially viable could mean they do not run.
• If the application deadline has passed because the young person has changed their mind or was late in deciding, still contact the provider as they may still accept your application.
• If the young person is interested in an apprenticeship or traineeship encourage them to register with the National Apprenticeship Service– a number of larger companies advertise their apprenticeship opportunities for school leavers between November and February.
• For careers, apprenticeships and work experience in the health and care sector within Lincolnshire, register with https://www.lincstalentacademy.org.uk/. This organisation acts on behalf of the NHS and wide range of non-NHS health and care organisations.
• Encourage the young person to see beyond the core role of organisations and to avoid misconceptions, for example:
  • The NHS is not just about health and social care or medicine and nursing. There are a wide range of opportunities in non-health and care roles, for example within the estates department or in background business, administration, accountancy and legal functions.  This example would apply to all organisations but even more so with bigger organisations.
  • The voluntary or charity sector can be seen as an area where people work for free, i.e. volunteer. This is a major misconception because there are a range of good careers in this sector, especially if the young person is particularly passionate about a topic, cause or an area supported by this sector.
• If you are worried about finances contact sixth forms, colleges and training providers and ask about the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund.
• Help the young person to have a career plan! We would recommend having three plans:
  • Best case plan
  • Worst case plan
  • The likely plan (somewhere in between the best and worst case)
• Support the young person to develop a realistic back-up plan, just in case, in addition to their main/preferred plan. Young people will either plan with optimism or with pessimism which can mean neither are realistic. 
• If the young person has a special educational need(s) or a disability, speak with their key worker or the special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) for specialist guidance.
• If the young person is LGBTQIA+ or considering their sexuality and their main website, https://www.stonewall.org.uk/, will provide useful guidance.If, as a parent or carer, you feel it is beneficial to attend the young person's careers guidance interview then this can be arranged by contacting the Careers Leader Mrs A Kemp or Careers Officer on 01673 843415.