Annual Review 2010-11contribute to advisory groups on careers policy development. The Careers...

Annual Review 2010-11

The Institute of Career Guidance is the leading professional body for the career guidance sector in the UK. The single most important thing our members have in common is the desire to be part of a community of practice, and that community exists within the ICG.

With over 3,500 members, the Institute celebrates the diversity of its membership, recognising the importance of sharing good practice across the sector. The Presidential Team, Board of Directors, Council, Members and Staff of the Institute actively promote the benefits that careers education, information, advice and guidance bring to our society and economy. Working together we ensure that the ICG is at the forefront of debates on career guidance policy, lobbying hard on behalf of the profession, championing the values of the Institute, promoting training and CPD opportunities and ensuring colleagues are kept up to date with sector news and research.

If you, or others that you know, have not yet joined the ICG, please visit our website at www.icg-uk.org, where you can join online. A variety of membership categories and easy payment schemes are available.

All members of the ICG can use the initials MICG after their names.

Group Discount / Bulk Membership Organisations in 2010-2011

Babcock International Group Ltd • BSS - University for Industry • Birmingham City University • Ansbury • Career Service Northern Ireland • Careers South West • Careers Wales Cardiff & Vale • Careers Wales North West • CASCAID Ltd • City of Sunderland College • College of North West London • Connexions Cornwall & Devon Ltd • Connexions Cumbria Ltd • Connexions Greater Merseyside • Connexions -Kent & Medway • Connexions Leicestershire • Connexions Manchester/ Career Solutions • Career Solutions • Connexions Staffordshire • Connexions West of England • Derry Youth - Community Workshop • Ealing Hammersmith & West London College • Gems Northern Ireland Ltd • Guernsey Careers Service • Herts Careers Services Ltd • Igen Ltd • Isle of Man, Lifeling Learning UK • Lincolnshire County Council • London East Connexions • Medway Youth Trust • North Warwickshire & Hinkley College • The Open University • Prospects Services Ltd • Renovo Employment Group • Service Children’s Education • St Loyes Foundation • Stockport College • The Inspiring Futures Foundation • Waltham Forest Council

Schools Members 2010-11

Bexley Grammar School • Birmingham LEA • Casterton Business and Enterprise College • Christ the King Centre for Learning • Christian Brothers School • Darrick Wood School • Derby Moor Community Sports College • East Bergholt High School • Falmouth School • Five Islands School • Forest School • Galsworthy School • Great Yarmouth High School • Guilsborough School • Harris City Academy Crystal Palace • Holy Cross College • Kirk Hallam Community School & Sports College • Leicester Grammar School • Lincoln College • Lincoln Minster School • Littleover Community School • Lode Heath School • Maplewell Hall School • Moulton College • Oakgrove College • Peter Symonds College • Rainham Mark Grammar • Riseholme College • Royal School for the Deaf • Rushey Mead School • Simon Langton Girl’s Grammar School • Sir Joseph Williamsons Mathematical School • St Franchea’s College • St Mary’s High School • St. Clare’s, Oxford • St. Joseph’s Catholic College • Sutton High School • The Blue Coat School • The Deepings School • The English School • Thurston Community College • Walton Girls’ High School • WELB, Western Education & Library Board • Welland Park Community College • West Park School • William Howard School • Windsor Girls School • Woodhouse College • Wymondham High School • Boston High School • The Nuneaton Academy • Colchester County High School for Girls • Alcester High School • Cornwallis Academy • The Morley Academy

Organisational Members 2010-11

11ten Direct • 4ypuk • Birmingham and Solihull Crossroads • Birmingham Metropolitan College • Blackburn College •Blackpool & The Flyde College • Bromley College of FE & HE • Broughton Database • BXL Services • Careers4u.tv • Central Bedfordshire College • CITB Construction Skills • Connection at St. Martin’s • Connexions Dudley • Connexions Thames Valley • Continuing Education Gateway • Coventry University • Croydon College • Darlington College • Financial Services Skills Council • GoSkills • Griffin College Dublin • HECSU •IGEN Enterprises Ltd • Information, Advice & Guidance Strategy Team • Institute of Chartered Housing • Institute of Physics • Kensington & Chelsea College •Lambeth College • LifeLine Projects • Manchester Metropolitan University • North Hertfordshire College • NotGoingToUni Ltd • Open Doors Media Ltd • Plymouth College of Art • Rayat London College • Red Bridge Solutions Limited • Renovo Employment Group Limited • Sandwell College • Smaart Publishing Ltd • South Downs College • South East Essex College • Southend Adult Community College • Stephenson College • Tameside College • The b-live Foundation CIC • The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London • The Manchester College • The Morrisby Organisation • The Rugby Football League Limited • Towergate Professional Risks • Transport for London • Truro College • US - UK Fulbright Commission • West Nottinghamshire College


Contents


President’s Report 2010-2011Steve Higginbotham Honorary Treasurer’s ReportMichael Howard

Qualifications Awarding BodyDr Rodney Cox

Membership ServicesThe Register of Practitioners HE Advisers Community Private Practitioner Community

Business DevelopmentJan Ellis

PR Activities Anne Nicholls

Insight Days, Conferences, CPD and Training Events 2011

Committee ReportsEthics and Standards CommitteeAdult CommitteeCareers Education CommitteeProfessional Development CommitteeResearch Committee

National Careers Awards 2010

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Institute of Career GuidanceGround Floor, Copthall House, 1 New Road, Stourbridge’ West Midlands DY8 1PH T 01384 376464 F 01384 440830 E [email protected] W www.icg-uk.org

Follow us on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/ICGUK Registered in England No 1694040

President’s Report 2010-2011


The last 12 months have seen probably the most intense and sustained period of change ever to impact on the Institute and the careers sector.

Externally we have been highly active in our lobbying campaign, working closely with key partners, to influence the provisions in the Education Bill (England and Wales) that will fundamentally change the nature of careers service provision for young people in England.

Never before has ICG achieved such extensive media coverage (and references in the House of Commons) and worked in such a joined up way with partners, which include Careers England, Unison, ACSL, National Connexions Network, Association of Colleges, ACEG and the 157 Group of FE Colleges. Together we have been united in a common cause to try and prevent the worst excesses of Government policy, which will lead to the extinguishing of publicly funded face to face careers services for young people in England.

We made a comprehensive submission of evidence to the Education Bill Committee which was quoted extensively by the Opposition. We also published ‘Uncertain Futures’ a detailed account of the cuts to Connexions / Careers Services across England.

The ICG position has reflected our policy lines:

• That Government should continue to fund and guarantee the provision of impartial, independent face to face career guidance for young people.

• Careers guidance should be provided by qualified and registered careers professionals.

• Careers guidance providers to schools and colleges should be quality assured to the same standards as the National Careers Service (England).

• Ofsted should be required to report on how each school is meeting its new statutory duties (England).

Important reviews of careers service provision and professional standards and qualifications have also been undertaken in Wales and Scotland. The ICG has responded to consultations by the devolved administrations and has been invited to contribute to advisory groups on careers policy development.

The Careers Profession Alliance (CPA) has had an increasing influence on the UK agenda as the year has progressed. ICG, as one of the 6 member associations, has been a strong contributor to the work of the CPA, which aims to bring coherence and achieve improvements to the professional standards and progression frameworks of the Career Guidance sector, and establish a single voice on behalf of the profession.

The CPA proposals on the professionalisation of the careers sector and the governance models for taking this work forward will, if implemented have a major impact on the future of the ICG. We have engaged in a comprehensive process of consultation with members on the proposals, including meeting with branches and committees as well as an online member’s survey.

Over the last year, the ICG has been engaged in a root and branch review of its Governance structures and processes.

Steve Higginbotham What a year it has been in the life of the Institute and for Career Guidance in general.

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We have been particularly concerned to improve the democratic processes within the Institute and ensure clarity and coherence on the roles and responsibilities of Council, the Board, Committees and Officers. Council has agreed for a new model of governance to be introduced from next year, subject to agreement by AGM in November. The changes will enable the Institute to seek registered charity status in 2012.

How far the ICG proceeds with the implementation of the Governance changes will depend on the outcomes of the CPA consultation. It has been essential however to ensure that the ICG does not hold back from necessary developments which aim to benefit its membership and its standing as a professional body.

For this reason, we have continued to develop the piloting and planned roll out of a new Register of Professional Practice, whilst also working as an integral member of a recently established CPA register group.

The Institute has also continued its support for the initial training and continuing development of the careers workforce. Numbers on the QCG have reduced and more employers require a work based training route to qualification. The new QCF requirement has required a reframing of the ICG offer.

Lead by Deirdre Hughes with support from Rodney Cox and Alan Lewis we are poised to introduce new ICG approved modules and courses in partnership with course centres and accredited bodies.

Over the last year we have also offered a much enhanced programme of courses and events for members lead by Jan Ellis and the Committees.

This parallel tracking between already well developed activities of the ICG and the work of the CPA has been unavoidable and will need to continue until there is complete clarity on where the future lies for the Institute and its members.

I would like to extend my very warmest thanks to everyone who has worked so hard on behalf of the ICG over the past year.

A personal thank you to Board, Council and Committees colleagues, to our hard working HQ staff and Associates and to the many members I have met during the year for their active support, encouragement and wise

counsel. Without all of these contributions, we could not have achieved so much throughout what has been a most challenging, but also for me personally rewarding, period in the history of the Institute.

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Changes will enable the ICG to seek registered

charity status in 2012

Honorary Treasurer’s Report 1 January to 31 December 2010


When I first took up the reins we had a single approach to delivery of careers services across the UK through local government. Then our business task as an Institute was to increase member penetration across c.140 services and to sell training and to those 140 employers –all underpinned by a single route of initial professional training.

Since then, we have moved through privatisation, then into a quango-like existence, then (for some) back into local government, or national government contracting…….while at the same time seeing the development of a growing cadre of self-employed practitioners. We now have a disparate and diverse scene across four home countries, varied routes of professional training and government polices seemingly going in every direction imaginable. However, this diversity now requires ICG to be a “real” profession rather than the staff association of yore.

All this exerts pressure on the Institute, be it the pressures of representation or peddling the treadmill to keep the organisation and business going.

The era we are now in is one where c.90% of career guidance (as we know it) is funded from the public purse and that purse has just got 25% smaller. Thus your Institute must operate in many fields within a sector in financial decline.

This is clearly seen in our 2010 financial results, which now clearly differentiate between those activities which will, form the “ICG charitable body” [ICG] and those which are either commercial or providing administrative support to ICG [CGL].

Michael Howard As I write this, my final and silver jubilee Annual Review, I cannot help but consider how the careers world has changed exponentially over the years.

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this diversity now requires

ICG to be a “real”

profession

We started the year worth

We hadincome of

We had expenditure of

Our surplus / deficit was

We endedthe year worth

£189,949

£193,437

(£197,694)

(£4,257)

£185,692

(£2,445)

£325,666

(£345,629

(£19,963)

(£22,408)

£187,504

£519,103

(£543,323)

(£24,220)

£163,284

£212,294

£397,379

(£419,724)

(£22,345)

£189,949

(£3,363)

£163,740

(£162,822)

£918

(£2,445)

£208,931

£561,119

(£582,546)

(£21,427)

£187,504


What do swans, jazz bands and the ICG have in common? Serenity and soaring solos…with a lot of paddling/peddling in the background to keep it all going!

Contemporaneous with your reading this report will be the consultation on the CPA and the UK career guidance sector. Whatever shape the future is, from a boring, old accountant’s viewpoint, I do hope we, at least, find a way of sharing overheads costs across the six associations so as to get a bit more bang for our meagre holding of bucks.

So here we are then, the swansong. It has been a privilege to do my bit to promote and protect our profession and its professionals. There will be angst ahead, perhaps even greater than my rash suggestion years ago of changing our title from the Institute of Careers OFFICERS to Career (without an “s”) Guidance!!

But I know you will get there!

Michael HowardHonorary Treasurer

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(See the Members’ Section of the ICG web for the full audited accounts: for ease of understanding pages 12 and 13 give the simple view of our “ins” and “outs” of funds).

The key point summary of the accounts is:

2009TOTAL

2009CGL

2009ICG

2010TOTAL

2010CGL

2010ICG This is clearly

seen in our 2010 financial results,

which now clearly

differentiate between

those activities

which will, at some

stage, form the “ICG

charitable body”

Qualification in Career Guidance (QCG)Qualification in Career Guidance and Development (QCG/D – Courses in Scotland)


Added to this the financial outlay required by students in the absence of any dedicated funding support has led a number of potential students for QCG/D programmes to question the benefits of entering the careers profession. To some extent this has been borne out by the experiences of the 2010/11 cohorts who have had severe difficulty in obtaining employment in what used to be ‘mainstream’ careers work (i.e. with Careers Wales, Connexions, Careers Service Northern Ireland, and Skills Development Scotland).

On a positive note, we have seen increased employment opportunities in schools, further education, higher education, the independent sector, and the third sector. We will not know until the year-end, at the earliest, the extent to which these sectors will absorb recently qualified careers advisers. Nevertheless, there has been healthy recruitment for the 2011/12 programmes, no doubt prompted by the potential tripling in university fees for English students in 2012/13.

We expect more than 200 students to register on the thirteen programmes, with an increasing number studying full Master’s degrees. Course centres have been developing these and other careers-related programmes to diversify and enhance their activities. Other developments will be launched as the shape of the new guidance arrangements become clearer during the coming year.

Earlier this year new National Occupational Standards were published for the sector, as a result of which the QCG/D Learning Outcomes have been updated; also strengthened have been the good practice guidelines on telephone/e-guidance, LMI, STEM-related careers, and working with adults. The Moderator team welcomes the work of the Careers Profession Alliance (CPA) to develop a ‘Career Progression Framework’ designed to clarify pathways into the UK-wide careers profession.

UK universities offering the QCG and QCGD• Canterbury Christ Church University • Coventry University • University of East London • Edinburgh Napier University • University of Glamorgan • University of Huddersfield • London South Bank University • Manchester Metropolitan University • Nottingham Trent University • University of Sunderland • University of Ulster • University West of England and University West of Scotland.

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Dr Rodney Cox / Lead ModeratorThe uncertainties affecting career guidance services across the four home nations, particularly England, have presented major challenges to higher education providers known to have a proven track record in career guidance and development.


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Register of PractitionersIn 2011 the ICG Board set up a Register Task Group (RTG) to review current registration requirements. The review concluded that a new approach to registration was required.

The RTG proposed that the Register of Practitioners be broadened to a much more inclusive Register of Professional Practice and defined four possible categories of membership. An Implementation Plan was drafted including a pilot for the proposed arrangements.

Two major national reports were published in 2010 which contained recommendations highly relevant to proposed Register developments:

1. The Welsh Assembly Government published ‘Future Ambitions: Developing Careers Services in Wales’. This recommended that a licence to practise arrangement or an approved register be introduced so that citizens can be assured of quality services.

2. The Careers Profession Task Force published ‘Towards a Strong Career Profession’ and recommended ‘that the organisations forming the Careers Profession Alliance should expect their members to demonstrate a commitment to CPD’.

Linkages began to form with other careers professional associations interested in the register and career progression framework developments.

ICG Professional Register Pilot Project

The purpose of the pilot was to:

i. trial the proposed new and more inclusive categories of membership;

ii. develop and ‘road test’ a new process and documentation;

iii. develop a process where applicants did not just ‘log’ CPD but demonstrated reflection upon learning;

iv. provide evaluation feedback to judge the fitness of purpose of the new arrangements and make recommendations for refinements and improvements.

Participants included a range of Connexions Kent and Medway staff, RTG members, ICG Board members and ICG Council members.

Feedback

Pauline Tait dealt with applications and developed an overview of which aspects of the process worked well and which areas needed improvement. Interviews were conducted with a sample of applicants and feedback which was generally positive and constructive.

Issues

• Almost every application was incomplete in some respect suggesting that many applicants did not thoroughly read the Guidance Notes. This has implications for any online/web-based application process.

• Whilst acknowledging the importance of recording CPD, most applicants found completing this time consuming. There is also a need to define what comprises CPD.

• No evidence was requested of any CPD undertaken. For reasons of economy a sample check may be the only viable option. Quality assurance systems need to be developed to include checks on applications, evidence of CPD and qualifications and maintenance of member data.

Future Direction

Members of the ICG Board are currently considering the report and recommendations.

An update on developments will be provided in the spring edition of CGT.

Careers Profession Alliance (CPA) developments

The CPA aims to produce an online national register for all CPA professional association members by April 2012 and an associated career progression framework to support access to that register. A Register and Career Progression Framework Task Group has been convened and is being chaired by Trevor Mason, Chair of ICG Board. Lessons learned from the ICG Pilot are informing these discussions.

Membership Services

Quality assurance

systems need to be developed


HE Advisers CommunityThe ICG HE Advisers Community was the catalyst for the Informed Choices document produced in collaboration with the Russell Group. Three members of the community were heavily involved. The document was released in February 2011 and had an almost immediate impact, with the ICG being featured in the headline story on the front page of The Guardian. The impact in schools, of this work by ICG members (and the Russell Group) has been huge!

The HE Advisers conference at BPP Law School in June was a great success, with an extremely interesting range of speakers – attendance was good with 100 delegates. Many delegates were talking about having to plough new furrows in a world of self-employment.

Three newsletters have been produced with news and comments from members and information about events and information sources.

We now have strong representation on UCAS committees, HEFCE, The Bridge Group and CHOIR (web-based information providers).

During the busy A Level results period members of the community made media appearances on Heart, Capital FM, Sky News, Channel 4 News, ITV Daybreak, BBC World at One, BBC Womens Hour and BBC Radio 5 Live.

Finally, an informal group is being formed to look at PQA (post qualifications application) due to be introduced in 2016.

If you are interested in higher education matters join the on-line network, it is an excellent source of information.

Andy Gardner

Private Practitioner CommunityThe Private Practitioners Community has over 70 members who are either self employed or thinking of this as an option. We have a regular newsletter and a LinkedIn group. We aim to meet once a year. The most recent being in Birmingham in November 2010. We share ideas via our meeting, newsletter and our LinkedIn group. Many of our members have portfolio careers including consultancy, part time work and writing assignments, from paid articles to published books. Three of our members are authors: Ann Starkie has written ‘Winning Cover Letters’, Ann Reynolds has written ‘The One to One Toolkit’ and The Groupwork Toolkit for Advisers and Denise Taylor has written ‘How to Get a Job in a Recession’, ‘Winning Interview Answers’ and ‘Now you’ve been Shortlisted’.

Working as a private practitioner is both exciting and lonely. This community can be a place of mutual support and several of us have found a buddy via the community.

Please get involved, the community needs your input to organise regional meets and make this a positive and forward looking group.

Denise Taylor

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We now have strong

representation on UCAS

committees


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Emails and letters from members evidence that media relations and seeing the ICG promoting the benefits of CEIAG and defending the position of members on the TV news and in the press is important. Not being experts in PR, we have purchased the services of a specialist PR Consultant for a few days each month. In a small amount of time, Anne Nicholls has done an excellent job. Her summary of activity is included in a separate review.

Membership

The year began optimistically, in March we had a record number of members – more than we have ever had, but

then the public sector cuts, particularly in England, started to bite. By June it was clear that bulk and group membership had taken a large hit, noticeably where whole Connexions and public sector services had funding withdrawn. Individual membership has continued to grow but increasingly these members have been unwaged. The number of students on QCG/D courses is also down on last year. Overall we have about 500 members less than we had at the same point last year.

Keen to broaden our membership offer, we have updated the membership packages

for Organisations and Schools. Both types of membership are holding up well and with marketing, Schools membership has increased significantly.

Business Development 2011

Jan Ellis / Business Development ManagerThe ICG Business Plan identifies four major areas of income generation: Membership; Communications – Career Guidance Today and the website; Events and Commercial – Portico, advertising, sponsorship, inserts and direct mail.

Last year we started with a

blank slate and have gradually

built up a new contacts

database.


Communications

This aspect of the business was ably managed by Linda Hills until she left in July. We have continued to roll out a new house style for printed materials, emails and the Weekly News by Email, and in the summer signed a contract to develop a new website and online membership database, which we aim to launch in the first quarter of 2012. The ICG magazine, Career Guidance Today is about to have a makeover: a new editor, Alison Dixon, and new design. We are also pleased to report that at last advertising revenue for CGT is increasing, thanks to Rachael Murray, who leads on Sponsorship and Advertising.

Events

Conferences and events have been one of the great success stories of the ICG this year. Last November we asked members what they wanted us to provide in terms of training and CPD and we have set out to deliver just that. Some of our events have proved so popular that we have run them twice, eg Transitioning to the Private Sector, Social Networking and Practical Guidance Skills. The Insight events have also been well received and we intend to offer more practical skills and information events in 2012. Partnership working is an important way of raising the ICG’s profile and this year we have events planned in partnership with UEL and Edexcel.

Commercial

Last year we started with a blank slate and have gradually built up a new contacts database. With such a wide range of events, publications and online opportunities this has helped us to work more efficiently. Raising income through sponsorship took a dive towards the end of 2010 but has improved significantly in 2011 and we are very pleased that organisations like the Matrix, BPP, Nuclear Graduates, RNC and OCR have been headline conference sponsors. Income generation through email-shots and advertising is also showing some growth.

Publications

A small but significant area of activity. This year we have published two major projects: a detailed account of the

impact of the cuts: ‘Uncertain Futures’ and the sixth edition of the ICG’s research collection: ‘Constructing the Future – Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice’. Both reports can be accessed by members through the website and CtF can be purchased - £18.50 per copy plus £1.50 P&P.

PR activities 2010-11

I am pleased to report that there has been a significant increase in media coverage, in the national press, specialist education and careers publications, in radio and television and online. By developing relationships with journalists and issuing press releases, the issues impacting on the careers profession are being covered in the media.

Media coverage has been achieved in a regular basis in the Guardian, Independent, Times Educational Supplement, FE News and Children & Young People Now and also in other media including Recruiter and the Yorkshire Post. Stories in the broadcast media include BBC Radio 4’s You & Yours and PM Reports. The annual conference in Belfast in November 2010 resulted in interviews with BBC Northern Ireland and on Ulster TV. During the post-A level results period ICG spokespeople appeared on ITV’s Daybreak programme and Sky News. And ITV’s Tonight programme featured one of ICG’s HE experts in a whole programme about career guidance in schools.

The use of research has been an important way of gaining media coverage, raising issues and providing ICG with important information. In July the Institute released the findings of a survey of members in a report ‘Uncertain Futures’. This revealed the extent of cuts in the Connexions service in England, showing that almost one in six respondents said the entire careers service in their area was due to close or had already closed. This provided valuable information for lobbying purposes as well as a strong media story that was picked up widely.

The Institute also conducted a survey in partnership with the Russell Group of leading universities which produced a report entitled ‘Informed Choices’ that saw front page coverage in the Guardian and extensive media coverage elsewhere. This highlighted the importance of making the right choices at A level for students wanting to gain places in top universities.

The resulting media coverage achieved, together with more news content on the ICG’s website, has helped to raise the profile of the Institute and core issues that are affecting the profession. The achievements this year will be built upon next year.

Anne Nicholls PR Consultant

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ICG Insight Days - topic based and occupational information events

Insight into ... Writing Winning FundingLeeds - 27 January

Insight into ... The Labour MarketMilton Keynes - 22 February

Insight into ... Social MediaDerby - 26 MayLondon - 13 December

Insight into ... Transitions for Clients with LDDBirmingham - 6 October

Insight into ... Green and Sustainable CareersBirmingham - 12 January 2012

Insight into ... The Built EnvironmentLondon - 23 November

ICG Day Conferences - annual ICG day conferences for key audiences

ICG National Student ConferenceLondon - 25 March

ICG Adult Guidance ConferenceBirmingham - 10 May

ICG QCGD Scotish Student ConferencePaisley - 26 May

ICG HE Advisers Conference; HE ReinventedLondon - 16 June

ICG Scotish Parliamentary EventEdinburgh - 6 October

Careers Professionals - Looking AheadBrighton - 2 November

ICG Annual Conference and Exhibition - the ICG national two-day conference New Beginnings - Sustaining the FutureBrighton - 3-4 November

Regional Conferences - within the ICG’s branch structure

Half-day/evening meetings - Details on ICG websiteUK-wide - Throughout the year

Skills Workshops and Training Days

National Career Awards DinnerLeeds - 17 February

Transitioning to the Private SectorWatford - 4 FebruaryManchester - 4 AprilExeter - 14 June

Practical Guidance Skills (QCF level 6)Watford - 7-8 JuneLiverpool - 20-21 September

Career Coaching Conference (in conjunction with UEL)London - 13 October

Careers Education In Schools: Impartial and Independent Advice and Guidance (In conjuction with Westminster Briefing & the sponsors of Cegnet)London - 8 DecemberManchester - 14 December

National Career Guidance Shows - UKs leading events for Career Professionals

National Career Guidance Show NorthLeeds - 17 February

National Career Guidance ShowLondon - 9-10 March

Insight Days, Conferences, CPD and Training Events 2011 The Institute of Career Guidance has a critical role to play in supporting the continuing professional development of its members through a wide range of training and events.


Ethics and Standards Committee The AGM is a very important milestone in the Institute’s annual calendar and is particularly significant for the Ethics and Standards Committee (ESC) as the only committee of the Institute which is directly accountable to the membership. The ESC operates independently of Council, and cannot be a voting member, although the Chair of ESC is in attendance at all Council meetings.

The members of ESC (a maximum of 15) are all experienced practitioners from a wide variety of guidance backgrounds who have demonstrated commitment to the ethical practice of career guidance. Members are elected by the membership to the ESC for a period of 4 years.

The principal duties and responsibilities of ESC are to:

• Advise on any matters where ethical standards may be an issue.

• Support individual members who encounter ethical dilemmas in their practice.

• Rule on the acceptability of alternative guidance qualifications for the various categories of ICG membership.

• Maintain and promote the Code of Ethics and Standards.

• Investigate complaints against members alleged to have broken the Code of Ethics, and to take action as required.

• Act as the disciplinary committee of the ICG.

• Act as the appeal forum for any qualification for which the ICG is the awarding body.

• Advise on the criteria for applications to the Register.

The primary role of ESC is to assist all members of the Institute, in whatever employment context and role they may operate, to deliver services to their clients in a way that is consistent with the principles and values embedded in the Institute’s Code of Ethics.

The Committee aims to help both individual practitioners and the profession as a whole, to work within a “fit for purpose” ethical framework and, in partnership with the Professional Development Committee, focuses on assisting individual members with their Continuous Professional Development.

The principal activities of the ESC in 2010/11 were as follows –

• Actively promoting the Code of Ethics, and particularly at the collection and dissemination of case studies illustrating the range of ethical dilemmas that members may face, with possible solutions.

• Applications for ICG membership by alternative entry were considered, as were applications for Fellowships.

• Reviewing of all relevant Bye Laws was conducted, and amendments agreed.

• ESC members were heavily involved in the review of the Register of Practitioners.

• Representation on the Governance Working Group

• Working on the development of the ICG response to the CPA proposals.

There a number of specific issues that the ESC would want to highlight to members. There is much common ground between the remits of ESC and the Professional Development Committee which has been facilitated through joint working on the Register of Practitioners and consideration of the CPA proposals.

The ESC would want to assure the membership that, in its consideration of the Governance proposals, the Register of Practitioners and the CPA, ESC’s primary objective has been to ensure that

the integrity of the Institute’s Code of Ethics has not been compromised. One comment that ESC has fed back to the Institute’s representatives on the CPA working group is that all categories of membership of any new CPA organisation should be required to adhere to the agreed Code of Ethics and that code such be as rigorous as the Institute’s current code.

Finally, the Chair of ESC, at the last Council meeting in October, did indicate that the Committee’s work has been somewhat overshadowed by the CPA developments and that Council needed to give the Committees of the Institute some direction about their continuing role as the Institute considers its long term future. This was endorsed by other committee chairs. However, as ESC is answerable to the membership, the committee would appreciate a direction from members on what the ESC’s priorities should be during this period of change.

Tom EvansChair of Ethics and Standards

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the Institute’s Code of Ethics has not been

compromised.

Committee Reports


Adult CommitteeThis year has seen some changes in the composition of the Committee. Andy Freeman has stepped down as Chair. He is a hard act to follow as he has steered the Committee so expertly over the past few years.

The committee, as it should, represents the sector well in that several of the members have moved on from full-time employment - some to self-employment, while others are still considering what the future offers. This parallels the huge changes which adult guidance has seen recently. We continue this theme by inviting NAEGA to our meetings and setting up plans to meet Work Programme prime providers.

Our Adult Guidance Conference in May under the banner ‘The Impact of Change’ offered delegates the chance to question and feed back to DBIS and Careers England speakers as well as a lively choice of workshops focusing on professional skills and practice. Plans are underway for the 2012 Conference.

We are now anticipating the challenges and opportunities offered by National Careers Service. The Committee has continued to be involved in the shaping of the Service through regular meetings with Departmental officials. Our Scotland and Wales reps keep us up to date with developments in policy and good practice. (We currently have a vacancy in Northern Ireland).

Susanne ChristianChair of ICG Adult Guidance Committee

Careers Education Committee Annual Report 2010This has been a difficult year for the Committee. On the one hand we have seen many of our colleagues in school based practice move on to other things due to the cuts to local services. On the other hand the committee and its members have, as always been busy promoting the benefits of career learning in many different ways.

During the course of the year the members of the committee have

• responded to a number of consultations including the consultation on PSHE in the secondary curriculum and the review of the Governance Structure of the ICG,

• produced draft positional statement on careers education,

• negotiated a memorandum of understanding with colleagues from ACEG

• worked with national colleagues as part of a ‘careers education taskforce’ to lobby for the better provision of careers education in secondary schools.

Members of the committee have been seen and heard in both the national and local media responding to questions about young people’s achievements and aspirations.

For the majority of the year the committee has been operating at full strength and has benefited from the expertise of colleagues from nearly all parts of the UK. We have recently seen a number of the committee move on to other things and Stewart and I would like to take the opportunity to thank Nicola Hannam from The Science Council and Sue Maloney from the UK Forces Schools careers service for all of their hard work as committee members over the years.

As we move forward into next year there will be a number of challenges ahead in the area of career learning. The Education Bill will complete its passage through Parliament this autumn and this will introduce significant changes to the way in which young people experience careers education, information, advice and guidance. The ICG will continue to promote good practice and will work with our members and with colleagues from other associations to provide opportunities for professional development for those individuals who will be exploring new ways of working as a result of the changes.

Similarly, changes in how the widening participation agenda is delivered provide opportunities to work with colleagues in the Higher Education sector to ensure that young people are provided with impartial information and advice about their options.

The committee itself faces some challenges. The ICG is making internal changes to its structures and processes and at the time of writing this report it is likely that the way the ICG supports career learning will change. The ICG remains wholly committed to improving practice in the area of career learning and committee members will continue to support this busy and important agenda in new and exciting ways.

Nicki Moore Chair of ICG Careers Education Committee

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Professional Development Committee It now seems an age since John Hayes’s speech at Annual Conference in Belfast 2010 when so many positive vibes were felt in terms of professional development for the careers guidance profession. There has been progress in terms of qualifications and some of the related infrastructure, but the careers guidance ‘hinterland’ is unclear with the public sector deficit cuts still being felt across the guidance sector and the future of the proposed all-age guidance service somewhat in abeyance.

However earlier in the year the Careers Professional Alliance produced three important papers that will impact upon professional development: a plan for a review of initial training; a plan for a review of continuous professional development; and the development of a single careers progression framework. Several members of the PDC committee contributed to these documents.

Significant progress has also been made in terms of the role of the ICG as an awarding body. The ICG ’owns’ the QCG, but two other significant developments on the horizon include:

1. The Professional Endorsement Qualification (very similar to the old DCG part 2)

2. A mini award that embraces units of the QCF L6 Diploma in Careers Guidance and Development.

This year the QCG Learning Outcomes have also been updated and informed by the new National Occupational Standards. Working closely with OCR, there are also plans to jointly work together on materials and resources, as more approved centres begin to offer the Diploma.

In 2011 joint meetings were held with the Ethics and Standards Committee as there are so many overlapping issues; the QCG Lead Moderator has also joined the PDC for similar reasons. A vacancy still exists on the committee for a Welsh representative which we hope to fill in the coming months.

Developments with the Professional Register are likely to be significant over the coming months and this will impact upon professional development issues. A key task for the committee will be to try and resurrect the CPD framework launched a few years ago, and an interactive version embracing Information Technology, ideally as part of a new website, is badly needed.

Finally, in what has been a difficult year for many committee members, I would like to thank them all for their considerable contributions as we remain optimistic about the year ahead.

Alan LewisChair of ICG Professional Development Committe

Research CommitteeThe Research Committee has had a very productive year despite personnel changes.

Agnes O’Donnell stood down as Chair but has continued to serve the Committee with her customary quiet wisdom and authority. Leigh Henderson took up the reins as Chair. New members Ciara Bomford and Linda Kelly joined from Wales and higher education respectively, whilst, sadly, Amanda Nijjar resigned.

We are still seeking members from Northern Ireland and the student body.

Lyn Barham led the largest single activity during the year, the production of Constructing the Future (CTF) VI. This was a real team effort. Lyn and Barrie Irving of Otago University in New Zealand, were joint editors and huge thanks are due to them. Committee members supported the work by reviewing papers in two rounds – a significant time commitment. All copy for

the booklet was submitted to ICG before the deadline. We anticipate that planning work for CTFVII will commence in the spring of 2012 and Linda Kelly has indicated that she will work with Lyn as joint editor.

The Committee has revised its terms of reference and suggested revisions to the research section of the ICG Strategic Plan. Monitoring progress on tasks has continued to through the Committee Workplan which is revised at every meeting.

The Committee held an additional meeting to discuss its purpose and terms of reference. To reduce costs and time commitments, the meeting was held online with integrated video and document handling; all members contributed to documents in real time. Members agreed that online meetings would be a valuable element of the programme.

Julie Hutton and Nelica La Gro made a presentation at a twilight session for ICG committees at the 2010 Conference in Belfast. The session was poorly attended and we agreed it was not a productive way of publicising information about the work of the Committee. Plans for a poster session and workshop at the 2011 Conference are in hand. We are also working on the programme for a new ICG Research Conference to take place in Manchester in January 2012.

Leigh HendersonChair of ICG Research Committee

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Awarded at the Europa Hotel, Friday 5 November 2010Career Guidance Practitioner of the Year 2010

Shortlist:

• Michelle Flux, Personal Adviser, Babcock Enterprises

• Lorraine Bunce, Administrative Assistant, Careers and Work Experience, Baylis Court School, Slough

• Mike Ridyard, Personal Adviser, Connexions Cumbria

• Yvonne Leslie, Careers Adviser, Careers Service NI

Winner: Mike Ridyard, Connexions Cumbria

Careers Teacher of the Year 2010

Shortlist:

• Jackie Surrey, Head of CEIAG, Work Related Learning and Health at Westfield Community School, Yeovil, Somerset

• Heather Morris, Curriculum Leader for Careers Education and Work Related Learning, Thamesmead School, Middlesex

• Claire Jackson, Assistant Head of Learning and Curriculum, Stocksbridge High School, Yorkshire

Winner: Heather Morris, Thamesmead School, Middlesex

Working with employees and trainees in the workplace

Shortlist:

• Connect SW Apprenticeships

• Advance to Work Youth Training Scheme

Highly Commended: Connect SW Apprenticeships, Rachell Bendall, Connect SW, and Advance to Work Youth Training Scheme, Sophie Le Sueur, States of Jersey

Initiatives focusing on social inclusion

Shortlist:

• Youth Connexions Hertfordshire

• Connexions Cumbria

• Connexions Staffordshire

• DEL/Careers Service NI and Include Youth Partnership

• Positive Steps Oldham

Winner: Paddy Moone, Include Youth and Frances O’Hara, Department for Employment and Learning, Careers Service NI

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National Careers Awards 2010


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Awarded at the Hilton Hotel Leeds, Thursday 17 February 2011Working with young people in pre-14 learning

Shortlist:

• Kent Connexions Crew, Connexions Kent and Medway

• World of Work Project, AS Careers

• Exploring my Future, Connexions Leicestershire

Winner: World of Work Project, Ann Starkie, AS Careers

Working with young people in 14-19 learning

Shortlist:

• ideas4life, Youth Connexions Hertfordshire

• Head for the Stars, the RAF

• Accredited Learning, Impartiality and Volunteering Experience (AL:I:VE), Connexions Northumberland

• Notgoingtouni.co.uk [not going to Uni]

Highly Commended: Accredited Learning, Impartiality and Volunteering Experience (AL:I:VE) Sally Weir, Connexions Northumberland

Highly Commended: ideas4life, Will Fletcher, Hertfordshire Connexions Service

Working with students in post 19 learning

Shortlist:

• Working with students with disabilities, University of Huddersfield

• The Gateway Project, University of Plymouth

• Soaring to Success, University of Bedfordshire

Highly Commended: The Gateway, Keith Taylor, University of Plymouth

Working with adults

Shortlist:

• Starting Point, St Helens Chamber

• The Reach Out Community Outreach Service, Babcock Enterprise

• How to Use LinkedIn to Find a New Job, Amazing People

Highly Commended: Community Outreach Service, Mohammed Khan, Babcock Enterprises

Winner: Starting Point, Pauline Devine, St Helen’s Chamber

Research undertaken by an individual

Winner: What does career mean to people in their 60th year, Margaret Christopoulos, iCeGs, University of Derby

Research undertaken by an organisation

Shortlist:

• Integrating the use of IT in guidance practice, Warwick Institute for Employment Research and Connexions Kent and Medway

• Early Leavers Project, CXL Staffordshire

Highly Commended: Early Leavers Project, Emma Lilley et al, CXL Staffordshire

Winner: Integrating the use of ICT in guidance practice: Career Constructor, Professor Jenny Bimrose and Dr Sally Ann Barnes, University of Warwick

Research undertaken by a student

Winner: Discuss the career theories that will underpin your practice, Terence McDermott, Inspiring Futures


Board of Directors 2010-2011

Steve HigginbothamPresident

Sarah Finnegan-DehnVice President

Deirdre HughesImmediate Past President

Michael HowardHonorary Treasurer

Monica LemechaHonorary Secretary

Trevor MasonChair of the Board

Karen O’DonoghueDirector

Council Representatives

Michelle StewartGreater London

Justin BrettGreater London

Jacqueline Ffrench* West Midlands

Doreen Killick*Yorkshire & Humber

Sue RafterySouth East

Claire Nix South East

Tim Warren*South West

Zelda HeneyNorth East

Isobel FreemanNorth West

Trevor TurkEast of England

Sharon IsaacsEast Midlands

David SetchellScotland (South & West)

Ronnie DavidsonScotland (North & East)

Kate HassonSkills Development Scotland

Aileen GrahamNorthern Ireland

VACANCY North Wales

Liane HamblySouth Wales

VACANCY Student Rep

Committee Chairs

Tom EvansEthics and Standards

Alan LewisProfessional Development

Leigh HendersonResearch

Suzanne ChristianAdult Guidance

Nicki MooreCareers Education

Honorary Fellows of the Institute

Valerie Bayliss Sir Geoffrey Holland Richard Bunker Chris Humphries CBE The Baroness David Sue Slipman John Swallow

Fellows of the Institute

C Avent Jane ArtessPaul BarnesCathy BereznickiJenny BimroseT D BlackDesmond C BurgessMike ClarkTom GlasperRoy LawtonDeirdre HughesAndy FreemanRodney Cox Terry CollinsDermot DickJudith DoneRob MillarDerek R MillsDavid MiltonRachel MulveyMary OpieDavid PeckMike EastwoodJohn KellyN D HarrowerAllister McGowanAvril Hannon Robin PencavelKen RobertsBrenda StephensonLinda TaylorA M ThomasTony WattsPat WhiteElaine K WilsonCarolyn HeathcoteMelanie HallE M EvansHazel Reid

Deceased Members

Brenda Calderwood (Fellow) North East

E.S. Clayton East of England

Tony Corder East of England

Susan Fitton Yorks & Humber

J.O. Regaard South East

Jean Stewart (Fellow) Scotland

* Resigned during the year

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