Career guidance services in the United Kingdom (2007)

In the UK, the specific term 'guidance' is normally reserved to describe the more intensive support element of a broader range of services collectively referred to as 'information, advice and guidance' (IAG). It is generally recognised that these services are well developed in the UK compared to most other developed countries. They are provided in a diverse range of ways, are available across many contexts, and have many highly developed institutional support arrangements including a legislative base, quality assurance standards, training and qualification frameworks, and research and evaluation support. 

However, there are many differences and similarities in the arrangements for the delivery of IAG services across the four constituent countries of the UK. These arrangements partly reflect the geography, culture, complexity and relative population sizes of the regions and, increasingly, they are also linked to differences in the legal and constitutional responsibilities that apply. In 1999/2000 certain powers, including those covering education and training, were devolved to Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales who now have their own administrations, namely: the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Scottish Executive and the National Assembly for Wales. This means that within an overall policy framework emanating from the national parliament in London, the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are able to enact their own distinctive legislation.

For a fuller account of career guidance services across the UK, look at the pdf summary below.

Career guidance services across the UK

Preview Info - UK Career guidance services in the United Kingdom _CeGS_ 2..pdf - 28.53 Kb

A summary of UK career guidance services. Deirdre Hughes,CeGS (2007)