IAG development: support for the adult guidance practitioners

Recent policy moves to support the development of proactive guidance for non-participant adults have included prioritising the Guidance Council’s Quality Standards for services, and the new National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in guidance for practitioners. In this investigation, two groups of experienced guidance practitioners working with adults - one from community-based services, the other from the Open University (OU) - provide details of their backgrounds and discuss current developments in their services. Both groups outline their approach to professional delivery but report difficulty in structuring continuing professional development. The introduction of local Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) partnerships is welcomed by the community-based group for improving their status and resources. The new qualifications in guidance are also welcome, but practitioners feel that the current NVQs need revision, and that they do not cover the full range of professional development. Comparison is made with proposals for the training for the new Connexions personal advisers working with non-participant 16-19 year-olds.

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