Staffordshire County Council’s Responsibility
The government states that all young people aged 16-18 must be in some form of education, employment or training, in accordance with the Raising Participation Age initiative. It is the duty of the local authority to ensure that this is the case, and to support those who are struggling to access provision.
Whilst at school, impartial careers information, advice and guidance should be made available to pupils and must be delivered by a level 6 qualified careers adviser, provided by the school. Once a young person has left school, it then becomes the responsibility of their new learning provider to offer this support. For young people outside of learning the local authority provides the same offer of careers information, advice and guidance to all 16-18 year olds in year 12 and year 13, and 16- 25 year olds with an EHCP, throughout Staffordshire. This role is carried out by the council's Careers and Participation Service.
A young person can leave school on the last Friday in June if you’ll be 16 by the end of the summer holidays. They must then do one of the following until 18:
- stay in full-time education, for example at a college
- start an apprenticeship
- spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training
If your son, daughter or the person you are caring for is struggling to decide what they want to do or would like some advice or guidance related to education, training or work, please contact us to discuss their options. We will be able to provide support or signpost them to a service who can help.
Careers and Participation Service Offer
The Careers and Participation Service work with 16-18 year olds (to 25 years with an EHCP) who find themselves not in education, employment or training and are unsure as to what to do next. The team is made up of appropriately qualified Careers Advisers and Transition Mentors.
The team can offer impartial careers information, advice and guidance about all post-16 options available, in and around Staffordshire including all education and training opportunities, and advice around employment options.
Advice can be offered flexibly to suit the young person, by telephone, video calls, face to face meetings at local venues or possibly in their own home. Advice and support can be offered to young people directly, or to parents/carers initially. Parent/carers or young people can contact the service to discuss their needs and explore options that suit them.
Feedback for our Careers Advisers and Transition Mentors
We welcome your feedback, please use the links below to provide feedback on the service you have received from either our Careers Advisers or Transition Mentors.
If you require any help, you can get in touch using the email link.
