The Annual Report of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills 2008/09

This wide-ranging report provides evidence and commentaries on three themes of national interest drawn from across Ofsted’s wide remit: improving outcomes for looked after children; progress in teaching and learning; and developing skills for employment in a difficult economic climate. The CEIAG implications are picked up in this briefing.

The section on improving outcomes for looked after children draws attention to the wide disparity in achievement between looked after children and their peers. It has key messages for professionals working in all areas of provision for looked after children. For schools, this involves rigorous tracking of looked after children’s progress; and although the report does not specifically say this, those leading on careers in schools and colleges have a part to play in this. The report also highlights that carers do not always have the skills needed to support study and transition to learning beyond the age of 16. This is another area where careers staff in schools with Connexions could offer specific help to carers.

The section on teaching and learning focuses on the characteristics of outstanding schools. Its key messages on effective practice can be applied equally to all teaching and learning and so will be essential reading for those teaching the careers education aspects of economic wellbeing and financial capability.

The section on the skills for employment sector reports on the difficulties in the present economic climate of preparing learners for a labour market which is both highly competitive and increasingly uncertain; and is beset by a significant rise in levels of unemployment and redundancies affecting both young people and adults. Providers of further education, work-based learning and employability face considerable challenges in:

• developing learning programme that are responsive and support progression
• giving learners the right information, advice, guidance and individual support especially in relation to the new 14-19 opportunities
• making learning relevant to the workplace and supporting learners into employment

It highlights what successful, good and outstanding providers are doing to rise to these challenges. Paragraphs 475-483 are particularly relevant to the needs of CEIAG staff.

Download the full report here