The Careers Impact System is a process that drives continuous improvement in the quality of careers education in schools, colleges and specialist settings.
This insight briefing summarises key insights from the 2025/26 third National System Review (NSR) conducted by The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC). The review focused on how education settings deliver impactful work experience for learners whose needs might otherwise go unmet, examining what works, for whom and how.
The findings come at a pivotal time, as schools prepare to reform work experience provision from September 2026 and seek to improve engagement, equity and progression for all learners.
The CEC conducted the third National System Review, which involved 47 education settings demonstrating strong practice. Participating organisations included mainstream secondary schools, Further Education and sixth form colleges, special schools, specialist SEND colleges and Alternative Provision settings. Chrysalis Research, an independent research agency, facilitated the research forum and produced the technical report.
This review identifies four key findings:
- Understanding learner need is essential to effective work experience
- Work experience provision remains highly variable
- Holistic and progressive approaches drive stronger outcomes
- Meaningful work experience is a proven lever for engagement, inclusion and progression.
The report highlights practical examples and best practice that can support education leaders, Careers Leaders and employers to design and deliver modern work experience that works for every learner.
Note on Careers Impact System and National System Reviews
Careers Impact System is a systematic approach to continuously improving careers provision, providing confidence in quality and impact across the education system.
High-quality careers education is linked to wider school improvement by increasing student motivation and attainment, supporting positive destinations, and ensuring every young person is prepared for their next step in learning and work.
National System Reviews offer independent, system-wide insight into careers leadership and provision, providing thought leadership through a thematic exploration of the factors that influence quality, impact and outcomes for young people.
The first review focused on Gatsby Benchmark 1: A stable careers programme and the second review on driving equity and tackling disadvantage through careers provision.
Careers Impact National System Review 3
Read about the third National System Review focusing on how education settings deliver impactful work experience for learners whose needs might otherwise go unmet, examining what works, for whom and how.
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