Our careers programme is fully inclusive and designed to ensure that students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are well supported to make informed, confident, and ambitious decisions about their future pathways. Careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) plays a vital role in preparing SEND learners for successful transitions into further education, training, or employment.

This provision is underpinned by our clear Careers Intent, Implementation and Impact, and is embedded across the school in line with the Gatsby Benchmarks (1–8) and the CDI Careers Development Framework.

Careers Intent: Inclusive Support for SEND Learners

Our careers intent ensures that all learners, including those with SEND:

• Are equipped to make informed next-step choices that reflect their strengths, needs and aspirations
• Have their aspirations raised and stereotypes challenged, particularly around disability and career possibilities
• Develop career readiness and employability skills at an appropriate and personalised pace
• Understand pathways aligned with local and national labour market needs
• Have full and meaningful access to a careers programme that meets all Gatsby Benchmarks (1–8)

In line with this intent, SEND learners are supported to explore ambitious and realistic pathways, with barriers identified early and appropriate adjustments put in place.

Implementation: Targeted SEND Support through the INSPIRE Careers Framework

Our careers programme is delivered through the INSPIRE Careers Framework, ensuring structured, personalised and progressive support for SEND students.

Inclusive (Gatsby Benchmark 3)

Our careers programme is inclusive and impartial, meeting the needs of all learners. SEND students benefit from:

• Early identification of need using school data and the Future Skills Questionnaire (FSQ)
• Targeted interventions for students at risk of becoming NEET
• Careers learning delivered in accessible formats and adapted where required
• Careers as a standing item in SEND review meetings

Next Steps Focused (Gatsby Benchmarks 4 & 7)

SEND learners receive clear, up-to-date guidance on next steps, including:

• Further education, supported pathways, apprenticeships and technical qualifications
• Entry requirements and progression routes explained in a personalised way
• Use of Unifrog to explore pathways linked to individual interests and aspirations

Supported Transitions (Gatsby Benchmarks 3 & 8)

Transition support is a key strength of our SEND careers provision and includes:

• Early personal guidance interviews to plan next steps well in advance
• Personalised action plans tailored to individual needs
• Supported visits to a range of further education and training providers
• Personalised taster sessions at local colleges
• Close liaison with parents/carers and external agencies
• Additional emotional and practical support to ensure students feel confident and happy to move on in their careers journey

Personalised and Progressive (Gatsby Benchmarks 1 & 3)

Our careers programme is:

• Structured and progressive from KS3 to post-18
• Personalised to reflect SEND learners’ needs, strengths and ambitions
• Supported by accurate tracking, evaluation and destination data

Students maintain a Personal Development Record, reflecting on skills, experiences and employer encounters, supporting confidence and self-awareness.

Integrated into the Curriculum (Gatsby Benchmark 4)

Careers learning is embedded across the curriculum. Teachers and subject leaders:

• Make explicit links between learning and careers
• Highlight progression routes and employment opportunities
• Support SEND students to understand how subjects connect to future pathways

Responsive to the Labour Market (Gatsby Benchmark 2)

SEND learners access up-to-date local, regional and national labour market information (LMI) to:

• Understand employment trends and opportunities
• Explore realistic and aspirational pathways
• Identify skills needed for future careers

Employer Engagement (Gatsby Benchmarks 5 & 6)

SEND students are supported to access high-quality employer encounters and workplace experiences, including:

• Careers fairs and employer talks
• Supported workplace visits
• Tailored preparation and follow-up activities

These experiences help raise aspirations, challenge stereotypes and develop employability skills.

Targeted SEND Careers Support

In addition to the universal careers offer, SEND learners benefit from targeted support, including:

• Early and repeated personal guidance interviews
• Careers as a focus in annual and transition review meetings
• Personalised college and training provider visits
• Support with applications for further education and training
• Support with understanding and arranging transport options
• Ongoing pastoral support to ensure smooth and positive transitions

Impact for SEND Learners

As a result of this inclusive and personalised careers programme:

• SEND learners make informed and ambitious next-step decisions
• Transitions at post-16 and post-18 are effective and sustained
• Students develop improved career readiness and employability skills
• Barriers to participation are reduced and aspirations are raised
• SEND students achieve positive destination outcomes in education, employment or training

Summary

Our careers plan is well-structured, detailed and embedded across the school, ensuring that all students, including those with SEND, can access high-quality careers education, information, advice and guidance. Delivered through dedicated lessons, PSHE, form time, curriculum learning and employer engagement, the programme provides clear progression and consistency in line with Gatsby Benchmark 1.

Overall, our careers programme ensures that SEND learners are supported to make confident, informed and positive decisions about their future education, training and career pathways.

If you have any questions about careers education or would like further support for your child, please contact:

Name: Lucy Mulryan
Email: