Connex

Achieve more than you believed

Provider Access Protocol

Introduction

This policy statement sets out Connex's arrangements for managing the access of providers to our young people for the purpose of giving them information about the provider’s education or training offer. This complies with the our legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997 and has been updated to include The Department of Education, July 2021: “Baker Clause” and the Provider Access Legislation, January 2023.

High quality careers education and guidance is critical to young people’s futures. It helps to prepare them for the workplace by providing a clear understanding of the world of work including the routes to jobs and careers that they might find engaging and rewarding and are accessible to them. This is pivotal in supporting young people develop themselves, make informed choices, improve their life opportunities and contribute to a productive and successful economy.

Connex is fully aware of the responsibility to set our young people on the path that will secure the best outcome that will enable them to progress in education and work and give employers the highly skills people they need.  This means acting impartially, in line with the statutory duty, and not showing bias towards any route, be that academic or technical.  Therefore where relevant and appropriate, Connex will ensure there is an opportunity for young people to be able to access a range of education and training providers, for the purpose of informing them about approved technical education qualifications and apprenticeships.

Entitlement

All young people in years 8 to 13 are entitled:

  • to hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer, including technical education and apprenticeships – through presentations, visits, preparation for adulthood events, assemblies, group discussions and taster events;
  • to find out about technical education qualifications and apprenticeship opportunities, as part of a careers programme which provides information on the full range of education and training options available at each transition point;
  • to understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses;
  • to have access to at least six encounters with providers of approved technical education qualifications or apprenticeships.

All of the above entitlement will be offered in line with the young person’s individual needs, interests and wishes and with appropriate adult support.

Management of provider access requests

Procedure

A provider wishing to request access should contact our Careers Lead

Victoria Carless

Email: vcarless@connexap.org.uk

Telephone: (01793) 493905

Opportunities for access to meaningful encounters 

A number of events, integrated into the careers programme, will offer providers an opportunity to come into Connex to speak to our young people or their parents / carers and for them to receive further information regarding preparation for adulthood planning.  

Connex offers the six statutory provider encounters and a number of additional events, integrated into the careers programme.  Please speak to our Careers Lead to identify the most suitable opportunity for you.  Such encounters at Connex may include: 

    • Talks/visits with local colleges/training providers. 
    • Talks/visits with local employers. 
    • Meeting with careers advisor. 
    • Meaningful online engagement is an option and we are open to providers that are able to provide live online engagement with our young people.  We have found this has proven very effective for careers workshops for larger groups of young people. 
    • Attendance at Careers Fayres. 
    • Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus or other relevant course literature at Connex or record information online that can be tailormade to the needs of our setting and published on the website to make it accessible when our young people and their families require it. 
    • Our young people will have access to online career questionnaires and interactive work that can give them further guidance and support, e.g. Careers Pilot.

We are committed to providing meaningful encounters to all of our young people using the Careers and Enterprise Company’s ‘Making it meaningful checklist’.  

Brunel Education and Connex is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Please follow the link to view our school Safeguarding Policy

Premises and facilities

Connex will make private space available for discussions between the provider and young people, as appropriate to the activity. Connex will also make available AV and other specialist equipment to support provider presentations. This will all be discussed and agreed in advance of the visit with the Careers Lead.

Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus or other relevant course literature with the Careers Lead.

Review

Agreed by: the Connex Local Governing Committee.

Next review due: September 2026