Benchmark 1 A stable careers programme

Every school should have an embedded programme of careers education and guidance that is known and understood by pupils, parents and carers, staff, governors, employers and other agencies.

Every provider should have an embedded programme of careers education and guidance that is known and understood by learners, parents and carers, staff, those in governance roles, employers and other agencies.

Key Benchmark 1 resources

Key resources for Schools and Specialist Settings

Summary of Statutory Guidance for Schools

Creating a Strategic Careers Plan - CEC 'How to' guide

Designing a Progressive Careers programme - CEC 'How to' guide

Key resources for Colleges and Independent Training Providers

Summary of guidance for Colleges

Summary of guidance for ITPs

Creating a Strategic Careers Plan - CEC 'How to' guide

Designing a Progressive Careers programme - CEC 'How to' guide

More Benchmark 1 Resources...

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IncludED Resource Hub

IncludED is a new organisation dedicated to supporting excellence in careers for SEND learners.

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Work Experience student booklet

This booklet/workbook has been produced to help member institutions who are looking for a practical resource to help young people undertaking an experience of the workplace to record that experience to capture the learning and make links with future planning for their next steps.

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Career Learner Journey Booklets

These booklets have been produced to support hub member institutions who are looking for engaging resources to help record career related learning and experiences.

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Progressive Careers Programme Template

This template has been produced to support member schools and specialist settings who are putting together a progressive careers programme backed up by learning outcomes in line with 2025 benchmark 1 updates.

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Careers Enterprise Company Parental Engagement Toolkit

A practical toolkit offering strategies, case studies, and resources to help schools engage parents in careers education. It supports Benchmark 3 by strengthening the role of families in guiding students’ career choices.

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Future Skills Questionnaire - Animation

Future skills questionnaires help schools meet Gatsby Benchmark 3 by providing a learner profile that captures each pupil’s career readiness, aspirations, and skill development.

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Essential Skills Development Booklet

This guide outlines the key transferable skills that employers consistently look for—such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. It links these skills to current labour market demands, helping students and parents understand how developing these abilities supports career readiness and long-term success.

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Talking Futures

Talking Futures - this site is aimed at parents and carers - designed to support positive and effective conversations about the future. Access all sorts of information and resources e.g. conversation starter cards, details of the different options available at different points (16+, 18+) and great 'explainer' tools such as the 'Talking takeaway menu'

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Future Skills Questionnaires

The Future Skills Questionnaire (FSQ) is a tool to measure learners’ career-readiness. With different versions for different age groups careers leaders can learn more about learners' interests, knowledge, and skills. Brilliant for helping careers leaders to identify gaps, target support effectively and understand how to improve their careers programme for maximum impact.

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Impact Evaluation

"How to write your own survey questions".  Careers Leaders can use this to design effective surveys for various stakeholders: students, parents/carers, staff and employers. Collect feedback on various elements including encounters, personal guidance sessions as well as evaluating your whole programme.

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