Benchmark 1: a stable careers programme

This benchmark provides a foundation for the other seven benchmarks.

• Every school, special school and college should have an embedded programme of careers education and guidance that is known and understood by students, parents, teachers, governors and employers.
• Every school, special school and college should have a stable, structured careers programme that has the explicit backing of the senior management team and an appropriately trained person responsible for it.

• The careers programme should be published on the school’s website so students, parents, teachers and employers can access and understand it.

The programme should be regularly evaluated with feedback from students, parents, teachers and employers as part of the evaluation process.

Careers Leaders: The CEC have a useful guide to help you make a successful start as a Careers Leader and help your school meet their statutory obligations - Click Here

Example Resources:

SEND Gatsby Toolkit

SEND Careers Health Checklist

Baker Clause with careers programme example

Meeting the Gatsby Benchmarks example

Careers Policy example

Careers strategy example

Employer engagement strategy example

Entitlement statements

KS3 Careers programme example

KS4 Careers programme example

KS5 Careers programme example

Further reading:

Careers Guidance Strategy for SEND

Good Careers guidance - perspectives from SEND sector