The matrix Standard Kathy Leahy and Pat McDermott Registered matrix Advisers and Assessors

1. The matrix Standard Kathy Leahy and Pat McDermottRegistered matrix Advisersand Assessors 20 September 2013

2. By the end of the session • Discussed the context of careers guidance work • Shared the experiences of the work undertaken with sole traders • Reviewed the approaches being trialled

3. The current landscape • Statutory guidance to schools to secure independent and impartial careers guidance • Select Committee findings • National Careers Council report • Ofsted review

4. Securing independent careers guidance – a practical guide Issues to consider when developing your careers provision • The importance of face-to-face careers guidance • Planning a programme of career activities • The National Careers Service • Assuring the quality of careers provision

5. Assuring the quality of careers provision • The quality of the school careers programme • The quality of the independent careers provider • The quality of careers professionals working with the school

6. The quality of the independent careers provider The matrix Standard is the Government’s badge of quality for information and advice about learning and work. To achieve the Standard, organisations will need to demonstrate that they provide a high quality and impartial service. Your school can access an online register of organisations accredited to the matrix Standard at www.matrixstandard.com .

7. Working with providers of independent careers guidance • Connexions companies • Careers guidance companies • Education business companies • Social enterprises • Sole traders

8. Sole traders • "becoming a self-employed careers adviser for the first time, I felt it was vital for me to ensure that the service I provide is of the highest quality. With no organisation to support me the matrix Standard has allowed me to work towards this goal. " • "as a small organisation, if we are up against the bigger players, matrix puts us on an even playing field as we will have achieved the same benchmark." • "it helps you look at and reflect on what you are doing, which as a sole trader you don't have a wider network to have those conversations."

9. Sole traders • "it is making me look at the business planning side in more detail and actually think about where I want to go in the future." • "I love the way everything comes back to 1.1, it tells your story in a logical way.“ • “The leadership and management criteria are helping me to build a strong foundation for my business by making me think what are my aims and objectives and how am I going to achieve these.”

10. Looking at the Standard • Using a template to review the service offer • Linking complementary criteria • Helping to consider the ‘business’ and ‘service’ aspects

11. Assessment process - pilot • Self assessment against the template • 0.75 days on site, usually at the school where delivery is taking place • Explore self assessment with sole trader • Discussions with ‘partners’ i.e. the school, plus other organisations in your network e.g. local college, training provider etc • Small group interviews with young people

12. So far….. • Working with 7 sole traders, all providing independent careers guidance to schools • All receiving advice from a Registered matrix Adviser • Assessments planned for end of November/December

13. The future • Aim to have a revised assessment model fit for purpose for sole traders • Ensuring a rigorous assessment • Enabling more engagement with sole traders • Building on the practical experiences of participants

14. For more information and support resources: The matrix Standardwww.matrixstandard.commatrix@emqc.co.uk0845 304 8600