Who can help?
Schools welcome the support that parents and carers provide and should involve you in the decision-making process.
- Schools usually give out printed information about key stage 4 options, put information on the school website and hold information events to give more details.
- You can get information about local opportunities through your local online 14-19 prospectus. Go to www.direct.gov.uk/14-19prospectus if you need help to find it.
- You can ask individual subject teachers and form tutors for help as they know your teenager well and know how they are getting on in different subjects.
- Your teenager's school will have a careers co-ordinator who can advise your teenager on options, progression routes and decision-making. Your teenager also has careers education lessons. These cover the courses and qualifications available, possible progression routes, the value of work experience and the skills needed to plan ahead.
Connexions personal advisers
Connexions personal advisers offer information, advice and guidance on courses, training opportunities and careers and can help your teenager with their decision-making. They recognise the important role you have in supporting your teenager, and you can arrange to see your teenager's personal adviser in school or at your local Connexions centre.
Connexions Direct
This service for 13-19 year olds offers quick access to information and advice, through a website and through contact with a Connexions Direct adviser. Advisers are available to young people from 8am to 2am, seven days a week by telephone, text or e-mail at www.connexions-direct.com. The website also has a careers database jobs4u, which you may find useful.
Volunteers and learning mentors
Many schools have volunteers and learning mentors who can help your teenager overcome any issues that are getting in the way of their learning. You could ask whether your teenager's school has a mentoring scheme.
Learning Support Units
Some schools also have Learning Support Units, where students can get additional support if they are not performing well in mainstream classes. Ask your teenager's school for details.
Tool kit
Hot tip
For further information on how Connexions can help, see the Teenage concerns section.
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"Connexions personal advisers offer information, advice and guidance on courses, training opportunities and careers and can help your teenager make decisions."
