Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG)

Good Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) helps young people make the right learning and career choices and enables them to find answers to the questions and issues which can arise in their personal lives.

New Quality Standards which set out what good quality IAG should consist of were launched on 31 October 2007. They set out the DCSF's expectations of the IAG services that local authorities will commission and manage after they assumed responsibility for these services from April 2008.

The Standards are also for use by providers of IAG such as Connexions services, learning providers, voluntary and community-service organisations and others. They have been widely welcomed and are endorsed by a large number of key stakeholders including the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) and the Institute of Career Guidance.

In the North East, the direct delivery of Connexions Services is the responsibility of each Local Authority, and in many cases, forms part of the work of the Integrated Youth Support Services teams. However, in both Tyne and Wear and Tees Valley Connexions hubs continue to provide some central services, including training coordination and IT support.

Connexions is a multi-agency service, which provides information, advice and guidance to young people, along with access to personal development opportunities. It aims to remove barriers to learning and progression, and ensure young people make a smooth transition to adulthood and working life.

Guidance about cross-working between local services that is necessary to provide support for young people who attend schools and educational establishments in a different LA area to the one in which they are resident is available through EveryChildMatters-Guidance.

Under the new arrangements schools and colleges may opt out of existing local arrangements. However, they can only opt out where existing provision is poor and where this can be properly evidenced. Guidance outlining the circumstances which determine the opportunity to opt out is available below.

A costs study accompanies this guidance, which provides a basis for local authorities to reach agreement on the appropriate levels of funding for any activities which are delivered independently.

Connexions Direct will continue to complement local services by offering online information, advice and support for 13-19 year olds.

Weblinks 

Improving Choices for Young People: Developing the Information, Advice and Guidance Workforce (July 2007)
Online resources for the information, advice and guidance workforce.

Information, Advice and Guidance Opt Out Process and Maintaining High Quality Services - Guidance (March 2007)

Information, Advice and Guidance Costs Study (March 2007)