Equality and Careers Education, Information Advice and Guidance
The final report is now available by following the link below:
Hutchinson, J., Rolfe, H., Moore, N., Bysshe, S. and Bentley, K. (2011) All Things Being Equal? Equality and Diversity in Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance. Manchester: Equality and Human Rights Commission.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) commissioned this research to identify and assess the impact of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) policy and practice for children and young people aged 7 to 16 on young people's destinations post 16. The review was undertaken by iCeGS in partnership with National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR). The research included both a detailed exploration of the role of CEIAG in opening up opportunities and an examination of young people's academic and vocational choices. The research is the first of its kind in this area to focus on young people across the equality strands, including gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief and groups including Gypsy, Roma and Travellers, young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) and teenage mothers. The research also looked at how socio-economic status affects aspirations and achievement.
The research consisted of seven components:
- a review of statutory and non-statutory requirements on schools and providers in relation to equality and CEIAG;
- a review of recent research and policy literature on equality, attainment and CEIAG;
- an analysis of survey data on young people's academic and vocational choices; a survey of providers of careers services;
- an analysis of national datasets from England, Wales and Scotland to track attainment, aspiration, participation and engagement with IAG services.
- interviews with key stakeholders, including Government departments and agencies on the role of equality in CEIAG;
- evidence from employers regarding their engagement in IAG; and
- eight case studies of promising practice in CEIAG across a number of equality strands.
All stages of the research looked at evidence on the CEIAG needs of young people across the equality strands and how these are currently addressed and met by policy and practice.
The report recommends that:
- schools be required to ensure all students get careers education that raises aspirations and addresses equality issues;
- career education should start in primary school to tackle inequalities;
- the education sector works closer with parents and with businesses, so that students have a genuine idea of the career paths available to them;
- careers education and guidance is inspected, so that progress can be properly monitored and its effectiveness measured against choices, progression and post-school destinations for different groups.
