Guiding young people through their next steps

Now is a promising, yet daunting, time for young people. With GCSE results day behind them, the future has endless possibilities.

But this can be very overwhelming so it is vital to support young people as they decide their next steps.

As the parent/carer, you will need to be on hand to guide your child through this decision. To help do this, we have put together some tips on how to set out a plan:

Explore different options

As with any big decision, it is important to explore all available options so that you can make an informed choice.

In England, the school leaving age is 16, however, young people are required to stay in full-time education or do an approved training scheme until the age of 18.

So, for young people that have recently completed their GCSEs, their options will need to be centred around these requirements.

However, there are plenty of available options that match this criterion, from apprenticeships in a wide range of industries to part-time work and part-time studies.

Think of the bigger picture

If the individual has a long-term goal in mind, such as going on to be a Doctor, this will need to be factored into their plan.

Before they can do this, they will need to go to a Sixth Form or College and select specific subjects that would enable them to continue their studies at university.

The requirements for different career paths will vary, therefore research is essential.

More support on career services can be found here.

Remember to listen

As the parent/carer, it is completely normal to worry about your child’s future, but it is important to let them make their own decisions.

Being on hand to listen to your loved one’s concerns and outlining their options is the best support that you can offer to them.

At Almond Care Children’s Services, we recognise that each young person has different needs, from education to emotional.

When helping our young people to progress, we tailor our advice and support depending on the unique barriers that they face.

Do you or one of your loved ones need support? Contact us.