Connexions (agency)

For other uses, see Connexions (disambiguation).

Connexions is a UK governmental information, advice, guidance and support service for young people aged thirteen to nineteen (up to 25 for young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities), created in 2000 following the Learning and Skills Act.^[1]

There are Connexions Centres around the country - usually several in each county - which offer support and advice on topics including education, housing, health, relationships, drugs, and finance.

Connexions is currently in a state of flux following the announcement of changes to the delivery of careers in England by the Coalition government.

History

Connexions was formerly The Careers Service, which had its organisation altered throughout the Conservative government's privatisation process in the mid-1990s.

During the period of Labour Government the Connexions service became increasingly focused on the delivery of targeted services to those who were often described as most in need of help.

One interesting initiative was the introduction of the Connexions Card.

Following the election of the Conservative/Lib Dem Coalition the future of Connexions was called into question. It is no longer clear whether the Connexions brand and the services that it delivers has a long term future. It seems likely that if Connexions is retained it will be a local decision and that there is likely to be considerable local divergence around branding and delivery. Government guidance^[2] now states that "There will be no expectation that local authorities should provide universal careers services once the new careers service is established." The new career service referred to is the National Careers Service which it is anticipated will be established towards the end of 2011.

Perceptions of the service

A 2010 research report by the National Youth Agency and the Local Government Association^[3] noted that some young people were unclear about the role and function of Connexions, although those who had interacted with the service were generally positive about it.

Structure

Through this process, funding that was originally given directly to local councils for the delivery of the service, was henceforth allocated directly by central government (via regional offices) to private careers companies. This meant the Labour government was more easily able to use funds previously allocated for careers services, for the creation of the Connexions service. The service was originally intended to be constituted by professionals from a range of backgrounds (careers advisers, youth workers, counsellors, health workers, teachers etc.). However, as the funding for these other professions lay within the control of local councils it was not as accessible. The result was that the careers service in England was abolished and replaced by Connexions, but it was made up predominantly of career guidance professionals and was not really the multi-disciplinary organisation originally envisaged. However Connexions services have typically worked closely with many other services, particularly those within local government, such as the Young Offenders Team (YOT), Teenage Pregnancy Workers, Children's Services, but also Housing Associations, Job Centres, and others.

From 1 April 2008 responsibility for providing Connexions Services was transferred to local authorities in each area ( rather than the Connexions Partnerships). Some are choosing to take services in-house, others to commission services from other providers. The brand, however, will remain.^[4][4] As a result there is very little in terms of uniformity. Berkshire Connexions, for example, is run differently, and structured differently, to Surrey or Oxfordshire Connexions.

There are 47 Connexions Partnerships throughout the country. These partnership offices manage the Connexions service on a local level, bringing together all the key youth support services in their area.The partnership offices manage the Connexions Centres in their locality.^[4]

Following public spending cuts under the Coaltion Government Connexions services have been badly hit. In many areas the service has vanished altogether, whilst in others the service remains. Typically support for the NEET group has continued to be funded through the local authority, but the careers element of the Connexions service is in the process of being devolved to schools.

Delivery

Principally, Connexions offers an impartial, client-centred, careers, information and guidance service. The staff are known as Connexions Personal Advisers, and are trained to offer confidential advice and practical help relating to a wide range of issues. The concern is that the result is a professional that is a 'jack of all trades, master of none', with many ex-career guidance professionals in particular concerned that the increased remit of their role has been detrimental to their expertise and knowledge in matters of career guidance.^[5]

A web site, Connexions Direct, offers information on various topics of potential interest to young people in England. Connexions also offers one-to-one support by telephone, SMS, and instant messaging.^[5]

Information sharing policy

Consent is nominally sought prior to sharing information, such as school attendance records, unless there is a statutory or common law duty to do so.^[6] Such consent is not necessarily limited in scope, or length of time in effect. Consequently, confidentiality may not be guaranteed.

Information sharing powers are granted under sections 114 to 121 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000, section 115 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and section 12 of the Children Act 2004.

See also

• Special education in the United Kingdom
• Dyslexia support in the United Kingdom

References

1. ^ Whittaker, Martin (2001-03-23). "Confidants with connexions". TES Magazine. http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=345146. Retrieved 2009-07-05. 
2. ^ Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities on Targeted Support Services for Young People (April 2011) http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/l/la%20guidance%20april%202011.pdf
3. ^ Hibbert, T. (2010). Face-to-face What young people think about information, advice and guidance . National Youth Agency.
4. ^ ^{a b c} Bawden, Anna (2007-05-15). "Connexions faces disconnection". Gardian.co.uk. http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2007/may/15/furthereducation.children. Retrieved 2009-07-05. 
5. ^ ^{a b} Brennan, John (2004-07-01). "Why is the Connexions service not working?". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/student/career-planning/vocational-study/john-brennan-why-is-the-connexions-service-not-working-551659.html. Retrieved 2009-07-05. 
6. ^ "Case Study 3: The Connexions Service". Department of Constitutional Affairs. http://www.foi.gov.uk/sharing/toolkit/casestudies.htm#3. 

External links

• North West England Connexions