Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many careers advisors were working in schools in the (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21, (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23 academic years.

Secondary schools are responsible for making sure their pupils receive independent careers guidance. The Department’s statutory guidance is clear that every pupil should have opportunities for personal guidance interviews with a qualified careers adviser whenever significant study or career choices are being made. The Government’s expectation is that every pupil should have at least one such interview by the age of 16, and the opportunity for a further interview by the age of 18.

The figures in the school workforce census do not represent the total number of careers advisers, since many schools and colleges commission the services of an external, qualified careers professional. Schools are encouraged to search for qualified careers practitioners in their area on the UK Register of Career Development Professionals. As of May 2022, there were approximately 1,800 careers professionals on the register.

The Careers & Enterprise Company also connects schools and colleges with employers to provide meaningful encounters with the world of work for young people. One way they do this is through their Enterprise Adviser Network, which is an integral part of the Careers Hub Network. Enterprise Advisers commit around one day per month to work with individual schools or colleges to help unlock relationships with other local businesses and provide strategic guidance to develop their careers plan.

In addition to the careers advice offered through their school or college, pupils can also access careers information, advice and guidance through the National Careers Service, which is accessible for those aged 13 and over. Pupils can access web chat and one to one guidance via the phone service.

Information on the state funded school workforce in England, including the number of staff and subjects taught, is published in the annual ‘School workforce in England’ national statistics release, which is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-workforce-in-england.