The duty to provide careers advice to all pupils lies with schools. Schools will either have a careers adviser based in school or commission support for their pupils to receive generic careers advice from an independent organisation or careers adviser. Careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) is delivered through the schools careers education programme.

The National Careers Service provides online careers support.

If you are 16- 19 (up to 25 with an EHCP) and not in education employment or training (NEET), Connexions can support you to explore your career options.

Connexions offer duty sessions at The Civic Centre in Wolverhampton on Tuesday mornings and at The Way in Wolverhampton on Wednesday afternoons. If you are 16-19 (up to 25 with an EHCP) and NEET you can contact us for an appointment.

• Connexions, Civic Centre, St Peters Square, Wolverhampton, WV1 1SH
• 01902 554499
• Connexions@wolverhampton.gov.uk
• Website

Students with Special Education Needs and or a disability (SEND) should be supported by a person-centred approach using either a one page profile or a vocational profile. This looks at what a young person is interested in as well as outlining their strengths and where they would need support. This helps the young person to make informed choices about what they want to do next.

Where a young person, who has a special educational need but not an EHCP and is unsure of their next steps during Year 11, school can make a referral to Connexions for further individual careers advice. Where a young person or parent feels that they need further support, they need to approach school to ask for extra support.

Students with Special Education Needs and or a disability (SEND) should be supported by a person-centred approach using either a one page profile or a vocational profile. This looks at what a young person is interested in as well as outlining their strengths and where they would need support. This helps the young person to make informed choices about what they want to do next.

Students can explore their career aspirations and vocational options at Jobs – Your Future Black Country.

If you have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and live in Wolverhampton, you will have Connexions service available to you from 13 to the age of 25.  There is a Connexions Careers Adviser linked to each of the schools, colleges and sixth form centres in Wolverhampton.

If you live in Wolverhampton but attend specialist education out of the area, the SENSTART team will let Connexions know that you will require career advice and you will have a named Connexions Careers Adviser.

The Connexions Careers Adviser will provide information, advice and guidance about the post 16/ post school options and help plan for the young person’s future. They will provide information about continued education, foundation learning or work-based training, including information regarding open days and visits to providers. 

The Connexions Careers Adviser will also provide ongoing advice and guidance to support the transition of a young person to the new provision and continue to support the young person in their post 16 provision on a one-one basis and via Wolves Workbox. As part of this process Connexions Careers Advisers will attend the EHCP review meetings with young people, parents/carers and professionals.

The young person will see their Careers Adviser in year 9, year 11 and their post 16 leaving year in their school. 

Starting Early and Getting Ready: From Year 9 Onwards 

Local authorities must ensure that young people with an Education Health and Care plan (EHCP) at year 9 and every annual review thereafter includes a focus on Preparing for Adulthood. Planning must be person centred and include preparing for: 

• Learning and employment
• Living as independently as possible
• Friendships, relationships and the community
• Health and well-being

The careers adviser will talk about Preparing for Adulthood and complete the ‘Getting Ready’ document with the young person. The careers adviser will write a report which will support the young person’s annual review.

Year 11 and Post 16 leaving Year

Connexions Careers Advisers will complete guidance interviews with all young people with EHCP’s in year 11 and their post 16 leaving year and complete careers advice called a Career Pathway Plan. This will be used to support the young person’s annual review and their future outcomes in their EHCP.  

Further information about the service can be found at Connexions Wolverhampton.