Stephen Timms – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Education

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Stephen Timms on 2016-03-02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her Department’s policy is on Work Coaches working in schools.

Mr Sam Gyimah

The Government has pledged to introduce demand-led Jobcentre Plus staff to supplement careers guidance and help schools deliver their statutory duty to provide high-quality, independent and impartial careers advice.

As part of the ‘Jobcentre Plus Support for Schools’ initiative introduced by the Department for Work and Pensions, local Jobcentre Plus advisors will work with schools to help offer 12 to 18 year old pupils insight into the world of work and advise on options such as traineeships and apprenticeships. This scheme is directed particularly at those students at risk of becoming NEET (not in employment, education or training) or who may otherwise be disadvantaged in the labour market.

This support will be aligned with The Careers & Enterprise Company Enterprise Adviser Network (or other local structures) to avoid adding complexity to the careers landscape for schools and will be delivered initially as a pathfinder in 10 areas. This pathfinder phase started in Birmingham in January 2016.