Quality in Careers
Standard

Careers Adviser giving students careers guidance

Supporting schools to achieve their Quality in Careers Standard

Being champions of all things Careers Education, Information, Advice, and Guidance (CEIAG), it will come as no surprise that we are huge advocates for the Quality in Careers Standard and are delighted to support school leaders in working towards achieving this. But it isn’t just us who endorse this, it is “strongly recommended” by the Department for Education in their updated Statutory Guidance for schools to work towards, achieve, and maintain this national Standard as part of your ‘careers strategy’. It is also recognised and valued by Ofsted and other key education bodies as a hallmark of excellence in Careers Education, Information, Advice, and Guidance (CEIAG).

We’ve supported over 100 schools and MATs to successfully achieve the award, guiding them through every step of the process. From assessing your current provision to creating a targeted improvement plan, we’ll ensure you meet the Standard’s rigorous criteria with confidence.

We have teamed up with Ixion Holdings, an awarding organisation that offers the quality award (the Quality in Careers Standard). Our team of Assessors and support consultants then fully re-assess your CEIAG programme, before sending this off for external verification by the awarding body, who will determine if you are meeting the Quality in Careers Standards.

Why work towards the Quality in Careers Standard? 

There are lots of reasons why we encourage schools to work towards achieving this quality award, here’s just a few:

Demonstrate to students, parents/carers, and stakeholders that you are fully committed to preparing young people for their future careers. The Standard is a clear signal that your school values career planning as a key part of education.

Working towards the award helps inspire motivation, aspiration, and achievement in your students by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need for life after school.

The Standard is fully aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks for ‘Good Career Guidance’. Analysis by the Careers & Enterprise Company found that, in 2022/23, schools and colleges holding the Standard achieved higher-than-average Gatsby Benchmarks scores – 6.1 compared to the national average of 5.5.

The award helps evidence to Ofsted that you are delivering a high-quality careers programme in line with the Department for Education’s statutory guidance. It also provides you with a clear framework to develop and continuously improve your careers provision.

By achieving the Quality in Careers Standard, you’re not just meeting expectations – you’re setting the bar for excellence in careers education.

Take your CEIAG above the rest and give your students the very best start to their future. Together, we’ll help you achieve the Quality in Careers Standard and showcase your commitment to excellence.

Throughout the Quality in Careers Award process, I’ve had lots of guidance and support from several people at Progress Careers, who have always gone above and beyond for us here at Carlton le Willows.

Liam Scott, Careers Lead, Carlton Le Willows

Relationships with senior school staff are very good such that many aspects of careers IAG work is delivered in partnership rather than simply a contractual requirement. This is signifi cant and is testament to Progress Careers hard work in winning trust by adding value to its off er and understanding schools’ needs. The organisation recognises the need to be innovative and therefore competitive

Assessor, Matrix

We have achieved the Quality in Careers Award and reduced our NEET figures to zero! I feel this has only been achieved due to the ongoing support and dedication of Progress Careers.

John Whitgift

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