Exploring Perceptions of Careers Leaders in Preparing Young People for Work

An exploration of the perceptions of careers leaders in preparing young people for the complex world of work Dr Claudette Bailey-Morrissey Careers Leader Central Foundation Girls School (East London) Education Consultant (Working Eye)

How did my interest in the experiences of Careers Leaders come about? My own experience as a Careers Leader. Curious to find out about how Careers Leaders were recruited, trained and supported in the role. How Careers Leaders perceive their identity in the context of their professional role; and, how they negotiate different aspects of the role.

Research Questions: 1. How are Careers Leaders appointed and selected for the role in their schools or colleges? 2. How do Careers Leaders perceive their identity? 3. What strategies do Careers Leaders adopt to prepare students for the complex world of work?

Methodology and Method: Careers Leaders on the Careers and Employability Leadership Programme (CELP) and those in the CDI network were invited to complete an online survey. Eight Careers Leaders completed the survey and it is from their responses that I am able to share their experiences of the role. I adopt an interpretivist epistemology to explore and provide insights into the different factors that shape the experiences and identity of Careers Leaders.

A Review of the literature suggests: Little research has been conducted into understanding Careers Leaders experiences. The role of the careers leader is not new. Previous titles include Careers Teacher and Head of Careers and Careers Coordinator (Andrews et al, 1998; Andrews & Barnes, 2003). Careers Leaders need to have the confidence and authority to lead their colleagues, make decisions, enact reforms and ensure the school is reaching the Gatsby Benchmarks . (Understanding the Role of the Careers Leader, CEC).

A Review of the literature suggests: There is some discussion about who should be the Careers Leader in schools/colleges. E.g. a middle leader, senior leader or non-teaching staff? The role combines leadership and management skills, which are more likely to be useful in senior leadership roles (Andrews and Hooley, 2017). There is a challenge of raising and acknowledging the professional status of the role without trying to claim a new profession (Andrews and Hooley, 2017).

Some Methodological and Ethical Challenges: Gaining access to participants who fit the criteria of being a Careers Leader and work in a school or college. The decision to use an online survey to obtain qualitative data. Whose story is it when researchers purport to represent somebody else s experiences? Will highlighting the challenges Careers Leaders face actually make things better?

Other Role/ Responsibilities Support Staff Job Title/Role Recruited to the Role Participant June 2018 Librarian 1 The Participants 5 years ago from the role of Enterprise Coordinator Head of Business and Computing Director of Careers 2 Supports the Careers Leader Head of Year 11 Teacher Director of Learning (Y11) 3 3 years ago appointed for the role via the school website Teacher Higher Education & Careers Manager 4 2017/2018 Teacher of English Director of Learning 5 5 years ago Support Staff Operational Lead Employability 6 Internal recruitment December 2017 Middle Leader PSE and Careers Leader 7 2 years ago but did the role previously up to 2011 Teacher of Business and PSHE Careers Leader 8

The Role of the Careers Leader The Role of the Careers Leader Senior Employers Leadership Teams Teachers Students Governors Staff Parents External Providers Government

The Findings: Careers Leaders hold senior leadership, middle leadership and non-teaching roles in schools and colleges. Careers Leaders responsibilities vary depending on their context. E.g. Dedicated Careers Leader role or hold other responsibilities? Careers Leaders succeed where they have the support of their senior leadership teams.

Job Title/Role Key Features of Role Disseminating careers information Evaluating provision Challenges Staff buy-in Lack of staff support Participant Librarian 1 Monitor student activities Evaluate impact Lack of staff and SLT interest The Participants Director of Careers 2 Implement and monitor the careers tutor programme Director of Learning (Y11) 3 Manage careers activities Design careers curriculum over two schools in the federation Embed careers in the curriculum Difficulty getting teaching staff on board Higher Education & Careers Manager 4 Time fitting it in around other responsibilities Director of Learning 5 Deliver school s careers programme Engage with businesses Design/organise careers activities Provide support at all levels Not a priority in the school until Gatsby and the Statutory Duty Lack of admin support PSE staff shortages Operational Lead Employability 6 PSE and Careers Leader 7 A textbook Careers Leader Influencing others Time Isolation Careers Leader 8

The Findings: Careers Leaders see themselves as important change agents in their educational settings. The Careers Leaders identity develops over time as they gain confidence in delivering the role.

Participant Quotes: Careers Leader Role and Identity [I have] full responsibility for the school library, oversee careers delivery to ensure that the school meets the Gatsby Benchmarks, but not involved in the delivery of careers education. I think my role is being trained and bring the knowledge back to share with colleagues. It also involves bringing everything under one umbrella to have a record of what we do for careers and evaluate our provision. (Librarian and Careers Leader: Appointed June 2018)

Participant Quotes: Careers Leader Role and Identity It is expected I will personally deliver or organise/resource on all aspects connected with PSE and careers. My role is to liaise and support at all levels, sometimes it can be problematic to maintain correct level of contact with all parties; this can have an adverse impact on personal effectiveness. A rewarding, demanding and interesting role. Very much in [the] developmental stages. Can become overwhelming with lack of admin support and shortage of PSE staff. Extremely long hours. (PSE and Careers Leader: Appointed December 2017)

Participant Quotes: Careers Leader Role and Identity It s a fantastic role, deeply rewarding and essential for the students. However, the time requirements are far greater than most SLTs are used to and without a strong team (e.g. our Careers Advisors who are with us as a partnership model through Camden Connexions, and our Administrator who we were able to recruit due to a funding bid. It is an isolated role. Having done the role before, I think it is a much more professionalised and reflective role now, which is all the good. (Careers Leader: Appointed 2 Years Did a similar role from 2011) [Careers is] something I have had to fit in with other responsibilities. Something I would dearly love more time to devote to. (Director of Learning: Appointed: 2017/2018)

Some Concluding Points: A Careers Leader is neither a relabelled Careers Coordinator nor a Careers Adviser . Careers Leaders need to be given the support and guidance to the do the role effectively and feel confident. Senior leadership teams could do more to recognise the demanding role of the Careers Leader and provide additional support.

Some Recommendations: Publications/books providing guidance about the role are helpful and should be referred to. The Careers Leader Handbook, Understanding the Role of the Careers Leader. Careers Leaders would benefit from joining a network of other careers leaders from whom they can learn and share ideas. This may help to reduce feelings of isolation. Seek out training Careers and Employability Leadership Programme (CELP), the CDI courses, e.g. Certificate in Careers Leadership

What Next..? Recognise that the Careers Leaders role is not fully understood by all and is evolving. I plan to carry out some follow up research with Careers Leaders to find out more details about their experiences. I would also like to find out more about the tools Careers Leaders use, e.g. Start, Compass Tool, Tracker, Fast Tomatoes, and Future Platforms, e.g. Working Eye

Questions for Discussion: Who should be recruited to the role of Careers Leader in schools and colleges? What can be done to ensure Careers Leaders receive the training, guidance and support they need to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the role? How best can the findings be shared / disseminated so that what is learned can be used to help improve their experience?

Bibliography: Andrews, D, Law, B., McGowan, B., and Munro, M. (1998) Managing Careers Work in Schools The Roles of Senior Managers, Careers Co-ordinators and Governors, CRAC, Cambridge. Andrews, D. & Barnes, A. (2003) Career development of careers co-ordinators, Career Research & Development: The NICEC Journal, 9, 3-9. Andrews, D. and Hooley, T. (2017) and now it s over to your : recognising and supporting the role of careers leaders in schools in England, British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 45(2): 153-164. Andrews, D. and Hooley, T. (2018) The Careers Leader Handbook How to create an outstanding careers programme for your school or college, Trotman, Bath. CDI (Career Development Institute) The Role of Careers Leader: a model job description, January 2018. Hooley, T., Watts, A.G., and Andrews, D. (2015) Teachers and Careers The role of school teachers in delivering career and employability learning, the International Centre for Guidance Studies, University of Derby, Derby. Moote, J. and Archer, L. (2018) Failing to deliver? Exploring the current status of career education provision in England, Research Papers in Education, 33(2), 187-215. Understanding the role of the Careers Leader (https://www.careersandenterprise.co.uk/sites/default/files/uploaded/understanding-careers-leader-role-careers- enterprise.pdf)

Contact Details: Dr Claudette Bailey-Morrissey Email Address: claudmorrissey@gmail.com Twitter: @ClaudetteBMorri