What is Connexions?
Connexions Nottinghamshire is advice and guidance service for all 13 to 19 year olds in Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire.
Connexions Nottinghamshire is part of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Futures. Futures is a company committed to helping young people aspire and progress through education, employment and training and make the transition to adult life.
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Futures is owned and jointly controlled by Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council. We work closely with our partners in the local authorities' children and young people's services to provide high quality advice and guidance and progress young people into education, employment and training.
How does Connexions help young people?
Young people aged 13-19 can now get information and any support they need from a Personal Adviser on a whole range of issues important to them e.g. careers education, employment, guidance, training, leisure, volunteering, personal development, housing, finance etc. They can also get help in tackling problems such as drugs, bullying and sexual health. Some Personal Advisers will receive specialised training to help those young people who are seriously disaffected or disadvantaged.
Connexions supports all young people, whatever their background and aspirations, so they can make the most of their abilities and make a successful transition to adulthood.
Connexions will work closely with many organisations that help young people, so making it quicker and easier for young people to get help when it is needed.
Where are Connexions services available?
Connexions Centres are available in schools, colleges and a variety of centres throughout the local community. In main towns large Connexions Centres have replaced careers centres. Some centres offer a full range of services as a one-stop shop. Others are more of an initial access point offering a limited range of Services. Any location that delivers Connexions services will carry a Connexions logo so that people will recognise the brand and know what to expect. A dedicated young persons helpline is available which is linked to the national Connexions helpline. Similarly a dedicated website offering information and advice is available.
What it means for schools and colleges
Schools and colleges play a key role in the development and delivery of Connexions. Pastoral support, careers guidance, mentoring and monitoring of student's progress now have a sharper focus. Tutors and teachers across the curriculum are crucial elements in identifying the needs of young people and referring them for additional support.
Personal Advisers are at the heart of delivering services and steering developments. All young people can access a Personal Adviser. In addition to providing information and support to young people, and where appropriate their parents and carers, Personal Advisers liaise with other agencies that support students eg. education welfare, education social work, youth offending services, health and youth services etc.
The Personal Adviser's role is negotiated through a partnership agreement with other organisations. They may, for example, work with a small caseload of students in schools who require intensive support. They may have a broader role but overall it will compliment and extend the provision already in place. Many will have an identified base in school, colleges or outreach centres to deliver services and develop resources.
Are young people involved in Connexions?
Connexions Nottinghamshire is successful because many of the services, systems and resources have been developed after consultation with young people. On a regular basis they are involved with the recruitment of Personal Advisers, sit on management committees, help design information resources and advise on Centre design. A diverse cross section of young people ensures a fair representation of opinion.
Further Information
For all the latest news on the national scene, see the sites listed in the 'Related links' sidebox.
For information on Connexions Nottinghamshire try the following:
www.sortitonline.com
Connexions Nottinghamshire's lively site for young people. The site contains information, advice, competitions, useful links and much more.
