Careers, Information, Advice and Guidance

Our Vision

At Heaton school we want our students to be fully supported to achieve their optimum career/life outcomes and to provide early and effective future lives development and support that is effectively aligned to the needs of young people with SEN(D).

We will support our students to reach their future aspirations of work and life through gaining the understanding, skills and experience they need to make progress and succeed in learning and work. We believe that by doing this well we are contributing to our student’s well-being and the well-being of their families as well as building links with wider society, local communities, and businesses.

What does CIAG look like at Heaton School?

CIAG at Heaton School is differentiated and student focused. It’s not a one size fits all programme and will be tailored to meet the needs, outcomes, aspirations, and circumstances of all our students using a student-centred approach. It is balanced and broadly based to develop the knowledge and skills of our students as appropriate to their age and stage of development.

Students at Heaton School will be offered opportunities from Year 7 to Year 14 to experience activities related to careers and planning future lives. (See Careers Programme)

Examples of current and continuing good practice:

• Parents meeting twice yearly to discuss student progress in areas of the curriculum as well as IEP’s and related targets. This process allows for parents, carers and families to gain insight into potential future pathways for the young person.

• Year 7 to Year 11 annual review meetings; progress towards ECHP outcomes discussed and amended if needed, reflected in review paperwork. Includes discussions around future plans and aspirations for life and work.

• Post 16 annual reviews – Year 12, 13 and 14 – More in-depth focus on transition post Heaton. Families advised and encouraged to look at options for post-19 provision and work.

• Preparation for Adulthood agenda embedded throughout the curriculum aimed at developing skills for future life, learning and work reflecting the 4 elements of Employment, Independent Living, Friends, Relationships and Community, and Good Health - these are threaded throughout our assessment pathways - Routes for Learning and H-Levels.

• Links with, and activities run by, external providers such as Pure Innovations and National Citizens Service, aimed at social and employability skills alongside British Values.

• Internal and external work projects including enterprise activities, charity events, sports events, and community visits.

• Employer encounters and work-place visits through community visits. For example, swimming pools and gyms, museums, cafes, supermarkets, other schools, activity centres and so forth.

• 1:1 guidance and support given to parents/families and carers as appropriate.

The framework for good careers advice and guidance

 The Gatsby Benchmarks provide the framework for career guidance, outlining the experiences and information each and every young person should have access to so that they can make an informed decision about their future.

Heaton School takes part in termly audits to assess the progress towards the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks using the Compass Careers audit tool.

1. A stable careers programme
2. Learning from career and labour market information
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
5. Encounters with employers and employees
6. Experience of workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance

As part of this process we have created an action plan to increase our coverage and implementation of these benchmarks and our policy across school. (CIAG policy and action plan)

Positive Outcomes for Heaton Students

Examples of the future outcomes we support our students to work towards are - Supported Employment, Further Education, Specialist College, Volunteering, Paid Employment, Supported or Independent Living, Supported Internships.

For more information on CIAG at Heaton School, see our Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance Policy or contact the careers lead - Jen Beresford on 0161 4321931.

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