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Effective leadership of careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG)

National College research into the area of CEIAG in schools reveals the significance of developing support systems alongside curriculum change to ensure that young people can make informed choices about pathways to success.

It also reveals the importance of providing impartial information and advice, personalised to the needs of each individual.

Our research suggests that CEIAG is integral to school effectiveness and improvement and that where CEIAG is most effective, students are supported to make the right choices and go on to succeed both in the school or college environment and in their future career.

Supporting information

The following report summarises the findings of a set of six case studies, undertaken during November 2010, which explored the effective leadership of CEIAG in a small sample of secondary schools in England.

Leading CEIAG

The report describes different curriculum models with the integration of CEIAG across the curriculum being schools’ preferred approach, with a strong emphasis on partnership working. Its leadership and management follow a distributed model with staff operating at a range of levels to secure its development and implementation.

Putting progression at the heart of CEIAG

A clear and effectively simple vision: CEIAG provision that anticipates and responds to a rapidly changing external environment, provides all students with the skills to make informed, appropriate decisions about their progression and is sustainable within the current financial climate.

Leading wrap-around, holistic CEIAG provision

CEIAG provision that would not just be a careers talk. The aim was for a co-ordinated, coherent and wrap-around experience. In terms of a curriculum model, CEIAG is delivered primarily through PSHCE lessons, in what was termed a "spiral curriculum".

Leading an integrated approach to CEIAG: putting the child back at the centre of the agenda

A CEIAG ethos embedded in the day-to-day practice of the school. It is principally delivered through vertical tutor groups, with a focus on in-house training and development.

Leading a fully integrated approach to delivering CEIAG

The vision and ethos of CEIAG driven by specialisms in business and enterprise and applied learning. These specialisms are providing energy and creativity, and support students to grow into confident, articulate young women who will be able to secure their own economic wellbeing.

Raising student aspirations through CEIAG to improve student outcomes: maximising partnership work in an inner-city context

Enabling students to think differently about their future underpins the school’s CEIAG ethos. High unemployment in the area and significant numbers of students living in social housing and/or without English being spoken at home led the school to identify the need to stimulate an economic imperative in their students.

Non-teacher led CEIAG embedded within an integrated curriculum

CEIAG that is part of the curriculum, not an "add on" to the curriculum. The school has created a personal development programme, inclusive of CEIAG. Managed by the subject leader for citizenship and delivered by a core team of teachers.

Next steps

Read our research on CEIAG from 2009-10, including links to available support and resources from partner organisations.