Career Guidance Practitioner (Employed)

Working Pattern: 3 days per week, 39 weeks term-time + additional week.

Location: Home-based for administration, with delivery in assigned schools (travel required).

Reporting To: Managing Director and senior leadership team.

Salary: £30,000 – £33,000 FTE (£13,800 – £15,200 actual salary).

Contract Duration: Fixed term for up to 2 years initially. Informal review after 6 months to ensure the role is working well.

Annual Leave: 17 days per year (including bank holidays). Salary already reflects term-time only working (school holidays not worked with exception of 3 days in July/August).

Pension: 5% employee contribution, 4% employer contribution (NEST pension scheme).

Professional Development: We support ongoing professional development, including contributing towards attendance at sector conferences such as but not restricted to the National Careers Leader Conference.

Job Purpose: To provide high-quality careers advice and guidance services to learners in secondary education across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, supporting them to make informed decisions about education, training, and employment pathways.

Key Responsibilities:

• Careers Guidance Delivery: Deliver one-to-one personal guidance and group work sessions to young people aged 11 – 18. Support students to explore career options and progression pathways. Provide guidance on post-16 and post-18 routes, including supported internships, apprenticeships, FE, HE, employment and Preparing for Adult Life. Produce clear and accurate action plans following guidance interviews.
• Supporting Career Development: Enable students to develop career management skills such as decision-making and self-awareness. Support students to identify transferable skills from a range of activities and interests and set realistic goals. Support key transition points (e.g. option choices, post-16 progression, EHCP reviews).
• Working with Schools and Stakeholders: Build strong professional relationships with school staff. Contribute to the planning and delivery of careers programmes. Support schools in working towards Gatsby Benchmarks and statutory requirements. Represent the Company positively at meetings and events.
• Wider Careers Activity Delivery: Contribute to careers activities and events such as options evenings, parents evening, assemblies and careers festivals. Plan and deliver small group sessions and workshops on topics such as career pathways, employability skills, and decision-making. Provide input into school staff CPD sessions where required. Be flexible in working occasional evenings to support key events.
• Quality and Programme Support: Maintain accurate and timely records of guidance delivery. Support organisational quality standards and processes. Engage in peer-to-peer formal interview observations. Work with the Managing Director to support Quality in Careers Standard assessments. Contribute to continuous improvement of services and resources. Support new team members to settle into the organisation, acting as mentor during the first term.
• Project Work and Service Development: Contribute to careers-related projects across schools and partner organisations. Support the development of new initiatives, resources, and approaches. Work collaboratively to test and implement innovative practice. Provide feedback from delivery to inform service development.
• Safeguarding and Professional Practice: Safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. Adhere to safeguarding and data protection policies. Maintain high standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and impartiality. Engage in training, supervision, and continuous professional development.

Person Specification:

• Essential: Level 6 or 7 Careers Guidance qualification (or working towards). Consideration will be given to exceptional candidates who are qualified in careers to Level 4 and willing to upskill to Level 6. Eligible to register on the CDI Professional Register. Up to date safeguarding and confidentiality practices for working with young people, including vulnerable learners. Experience of working with young people in education. Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to build rapport and work across different environments. Good organisational skills and ability to manage workload independently. Proficient in IT skills including Microsoft Packages, 365 Business Essentials. Willingness to work occasional evenings to support key events. Full driving licence and access to own transport. Commitment to refreshing safeguarding training every 2 years. Willingness to engage in Reflective Practice. Right to work in the UK. The position is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.
• Desirable: Experience delivering careers guidance in secondary schools, FE or alternative provision. Knowledge of education, training, and labour market pathways. Understanding of Gatsby Benchmarks and CDI Code of Ethics. Experience of project work or service development. Experience working on externally funded careers or employability projects.

Key Attributes:

• Engaging, approachable, and supportive.
• Professional and reliable.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Confident delivering to individuals and groups.
• Interested in innovation and improving practice.
• Committed to improving outcomes for young people.
• Able to use initiative to resolve issues when necessary.