Commitment and Vision Statement

Dacorum Education Support Centre staff and Management Committee are committed to preparing our learners to leave Centre aware of their individual abilities, skills, qualities, needs and values. We support and inspire our learners to achieve their full potential, raise their aspirations and empower them to be able to plan and manage their own futures. We recognise how crucial our role is given the chequered educational history and negative experiences many of our learners have had. We promote equality, diversity, social mobility and challenge stereotypes. Our young people are encouraged to develop a positive self-image and increase their level of self-confidence. We support learners to sustain employability and to achieve personal and economic wellbeing throughout their lives.

Young people are prepared for the transition from full time education to the world beyond. To this aim our careers, education, information and guidance programme is delivered within personal and social development sessions and complemented with bespoke interventions. Our learner by learner focus allows a personalised and targeted approach which is by definition needs and interest led. This is important as our learners arrive at different points in their educational career, some spending only a few weeks, some spending possibly two years or more with us at DESC.

DESC favours a holistic approach, by involving parents/carers, external IAG providers, employers and other local agencies. We recognise our statutory duties to secure independent, impartial face to face careers guidance for learners in Years 7 to 11. This includes information on the full range of education and training options, including apprenticeships and vocational pathways. We also recognise the importance of providing young people with real-life contacts and experiences from the world of work.

DESC is committed to meeting the eight Gatsby benchmarks and is working in conjunction with YC Hertfordshire to achieve the Quality in Careers Standard through Investors in Careers.

Aims for our learners

These are divided into three areas :

Knowledge based

Young people have access to and are able to use a variety of careers information. We aim to guide them to:

• Develop an awareness of opportunities at post 16

• Know who can/will help them make decisions

• Develop an awareness and understanding of different occupational roles

• Become aware of their entitlement to interpreting services and how to use them

Concept based

Young people are encouraged to:

• Anticipate the differences between school, college and work

• Understand the concept of equal opportunities in relation to gender, ethnicity, social economic group, ability/disability and occupational choice

• Understand the difference between work and leisure and how these influence lifestyles

• Understand the need to be proactive in making choices

Skills based

Young people are supported to:

• Develop the skills and confidence to make realistic and informed decisions about their futures in consultation with others

• Review personal achievements and experiences

• Complete an application form and prepare a Curriculum Vitae

• Make post 16 choices

 

All learners are offered work experience opportunities as appropriate.