Careers advice 'on the up'

Teenagers can find vocational courses

The careers advice service available to young people in schools and colleges is improving, say inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education.

But teenagers are not getting adequate information in school on work-based training opportunities.

Most young people respond positively to the work of the personal adviser

Ofsted report

The study was based on inspections of the first 15 areas in England to get the government's new Connexions Service aimed at 13 to 19 year olds.

The service was set up in 2001 to provide not just the traditional careers service, but also to give youngsters a chance to seek advice on a range of issues such as drugs, bullying and family violence.

Ofsted inspectors found teenagers valued Connexions advisers and the independent advice they gave.

Self confidence

"Most young people respond positively to the work of the personal adviser," the report said.

"They become more self confident, overcome barriers to progression and engage more effectively in learning."

But head teachers were often less enthusiastic, the report said.

"Often head teachers want more direct control and complain of unhelpful working hours and of the objectives for the personal advisers that appear to differ from those of the school."

'Positive changes'

The Department for Education welcomed the report.

"Connexions is a new and innovative service for young people and this report was carried out at a very early stage in its development," a department spokesman said.

"We have already done much to address the issues raised.

"Most importantly Connexions has been designed by and for young people and is already making very positive changes to their lives."