Talking futures: empowering parents to discuss careers and education options with their children: insights from pilot: 2020-21

It is widely accepted and evidenced that parents are one of the biggest influences on young people's education and career decision-making. Parents are playing a key role in the career guidance of their children, and it is therefore vital that they engage with school or college careers programmes. It can be particularly difficult for parents to understand the full breadth of modern qualification routes and careers, feel confident in broaching the topic of the future with their children, and know how schools and colleges can help. The [Coronavirus Disease 2019] COVID-19 pandemic has also strengthened the case for increasing support to parents, with a third of parents feeling more negative about their child's next step in light of the events of 2020.

To help support parents, Gatsby has been researching, developing and piloting activity with parents since 2019. The result of this work has been the creation of Talking Futures - a programme designed to facilitate more and better-informed conversations between parents and their children (age 11-18) about career and study routes, and to better connect parents with the career guidance their children receive from school or college. Talking Futures includes content for parents (with a website, activities to do at home, and a national communications campaign) and support for schools and colleges (including research summaries, [continuing professional development] CPD, templates, activities and resources).

Excerpts from publication. Show less