Statutory guidance:
Careers guidance and access for education and training providers
The Department for Education's updated statutory guidance reinforces the importance of high-quality careers education, underpinned by the Gatsby Benchmarks, to support all young people to make informed decisions and successful transitions into learning and work. Key updates include:
- Workplace experiences: From September 2026, all schools expected to reform work experience programmes in line with the guidance and the Government's work experience ambition.
- New digital features: Enhanced Compass+ functionality, including OnTrack+ for identifying learner support needs from Year 7, and Your Child’s Future - questionnaire to strengthen parental engagement in careers education.
- Ofsted inspections: Updates to Ofsted’s approach to inspecting careers guidance under the revised Education Inspection Framework.
- Policy alignment: The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review and reforms to 16–19 qualifications.
The Gatsby Benchmarks were developed on behalf of the Gatsby Foundation by Sir John Holman to define what world class careers education looks like.
They provide a clear framework for careers provision in schools and colleges and it is a Careers Leader's responsibility to oversee the implementation of the benchmarks in education settings.
The 8 Gatsby Benchmarks are:
- A stable careers programme
- Learning from careers and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each pupil
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal guidance
We have two free digital products that can support you to evaluate your careers provision against the Gatsby Benchmarks, Compass and Compass+.
The Compass evaluation has undergone a series of updates in response to the updated Gatsby Benchmarks, to help you better monitor progress in your careers provision, identify gaps and target development areas. Learn more.
For further information on the Gatsby Benchmarks
Careers Impact System
A process that drives continuous improvement in the quality of careers education in schools and colleges.
Modern work experience
Modern work experience allows every young person access to high-quality, multiple workplace experiences, totaling two weeks' worth throughout secondary education.
The Careers & Enterprise Academy
The online home for Careers Leaders and careers leadership and all those who work with them to plan and deliver strategic, progressive careers programmes.