HC Deb 20 November 2003 vol 413 cc1467-9W
Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his definition of a universal service is in relation to Connexions. [138540]

Margaret Hodge

Connexions is available to all young people between 13 and 19 in England. The service comprises initial information and advice on the full range of learning options to 19 and beyond; in-depth guidance and support, or access to specialist help, on anything that might prove a barrier to learning; and access to personal development opportunities to help a young person grow into a rounded independent citizen. Information and advice on post-16 learning options, including details of Education Maintenance Allowances and the Connexions Card, is available from Connexions.

The service is offered face-to-face in secondary schools, colleges and High Street centres, or electronically through Connexions Direct, the telephone- and web-based service. Connexions is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what minimum number of hours of careers and education advice each young person aged 13 to 19 can expect to receive from the Connexions Service. [138541]

Margaret Hodge

We do not specify a minimum number of hours of careers and education advice that young people should receive from the Connexions service. Connexions provides a service differentiated according to need. This includes advice on learning and career choices, as well as support on a wide range of other issues that represent a barrier to young people's participation and achievement in learning.

Schools share responsibility for meeting the needs of young people in relation to making learning and career choices, including responsibility for delivering a curriculum-based careers education programme to all students in Years 9–11 (to be extended to Years land 8 from September 2004) and for managing the Key Stage 4 options exercise.

Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many personal advisers were employed by each Connexions Partnership in(a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003. [138542]

Margaret Hodge

I am unable to provide the information requested before the House prorogues. I will write to the hon. Gentleman with the information and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average caseload of Connexions personal advisers working with people aged 13 to 19 who are(a) in school, (b) in college and (c) not engaged in employment, education or training was in the last year for which figures are available. [138543]

Margaret Hodge

Information on the caseloads of Connexions personal advisers is not collected centrally by the Connexions Service National Unit. Individual Connexions Partnerships set allocations for each institution in their area and for working with those not engaged in employment, education or training. These allocations determine the caseloads of personal advisers and are based on an assessment of need in each institution and area.

Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of people aged 13 to 19 who were in(a) school, (b) further education college and (c) neither school nor further education college, received advice from Connexions in (i) 2001–02, (ii) 2002–03 and (iii) 2003–04. [138545]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

I am unable to provide the information requested before the House prorogues. I will write to the hon. Gentleman with the information and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people aged 13 to 19 in(a) school and (b) further education college were identified as needing intensive support by Connexions in (i) 2001–02, (ii) 2002–03 and (iii) 2003–04. [138546]

Margaret Hodge

The table below shows the number of young people in(a) compulsory education, and (b) post-compulsory education (both school and further education colleges) identified as needing intensive support and in depth guidance from Connexions in August of each of the last three years. The information relates only to Connexions Partnerships that were operational at that time.

2002–03 2003–04 (August 2002) 2003–04 (August 2003)
Compulsory education 1 226,498 358,056
Post-compulsory Education 1 91,769 173,639
1 Information not collected in this format in 2001–02

Mr. Wills

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what proportion of the total number of Connexions personal advisers possess an NVQ Level 4, or equivalent, in(a) careers, (b) youth work, (c) social work and (d) other relevant disciplines. [138547]

Margaret Hodge

Information on the qualifications of personal advisers is not available in the form requested.

The information in the table shows the number and proportion of personal advisers working for the Connexions Service who are qualified to NVQ Level 4 or above as at April 2003. Details of the type of qualification are not collected by the Connexions Service National Unit.

All fully qualified personal advisers are required to hold an NVQ Level 4 or equivalent in a relevant professional discipline. Personal advisers who are not qualified to NVQ Level 4 should be actively working towards achieving this level.

The number and proportion of Personal Advisers working for Connexions qualified to NVQ Level 4 or above as at April 2003
Total number of Personal Advisers 5,780
Number of Personal Advisers with NVQ Level 4 or above 4,645
Percentage NVQ Level 4 or above 80