Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to ensure that all schools in England have teachers trained in careers advice.

We do not want to prescribe to schools how careers guidance is delivered or by whom. Teachers may have a role in coordinating or providing careers advice within a school but there is no requirement for teachers to hold specific qualifications for careers advice. The very best schools will be giving teachers exposure to employers, industry and enterprise as part of their continuing professional development.

The statutory duty on schools focuses on independent careers guidance. Schools can retain in-house arrangements for providing careers guidance but must combine this with support from external sources to meet their legal requirements. This might include support from careers advisers, employers, mentors or coaches.

We will soon be publishing updated statutory guidance on careers guidance and inspiration that sets out this approach.