Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are set to benefit from support provided by career advisors, based at some of the specialist schools and colleges in Oxfordshire.
The newly trained advisors will be existing teaching assistants, equipped with necessary experience for handling the unique needs of young people with SEND, helping to improve their education and career outcomes.
Councillor Sean Gaul, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “We aim to give every child the best start in life, paving the way for their career dreams.
“It makes so much sense to train some of our existing teaching assistants. They already have classroom experience and can start using their learning in training straightaway to deliver immediate benefits to our young people.
“Our experience shows that one-to-one career advice isn’t always the most effective way of engaging with SEND children, so our new specialist trainers – teaching assistants themselves – will offer a much better alternative, including group interviews involving parents, support staff and the young people themselves.
“We hope these group sessions will remove barriers, giving young people confidence to ask questions, consider options, and inspire them to pursue exciting career and further education opportunities.”
Oxfordshire County Council is providing the training in collaboration with the Oxfordshire Careers Hub. Advisors will receive a Level 6 Diploma in career guidance and development from Activate Learning.
The council’s commitment to the training is in response to a shortage of qualified career advisors with experience in the needs of children and young people with SEND, and to reduce the need to hire external specialists.
The scheme is being funded by a grant from the Department for Education (DfE), designed to provide support for young people with additional needs so that they gain more choice and control over their future, providing opportunities to prepare them for adult life and independent living. This includes work experience and placements, and further education.
The career advisors will be based at seven specialist schools, spread across the county and overseen by Oxfordshire County Council.
Hannah Gordon, Assistant Headteacher at Fitzwaryn School in Wantage, said: “It’s a pleasure to be involved in the development of this careers guidance training, which plays a vital role in equipping staff with knowledge and confidence to support young people in making informed choices about their futures.
“From our perspective, the value of this training lies in its practical, inclusive approach – ensuring that all learners, regardless of need or background, receive meaningful and personalised guidance that empowers them to take their next steps with clarity and purpose.”
Shelley Woodley, a Teaching Assistant at Fitzwaryn School, who recently started her career advisor training, said: “I am excited and feel it’s a real privilege to be taking part in the careers guidance training. I’m already learning more about careers education than I knew existed, and it’s been both enjoyable and inspiring to network with others in the field.
“This training is not only expanding my own knowledge, but it will also help us create extensive and meaningful opportunities for our pupils as they prepare for adulthood.”
