HC Deb 11 November 1997 vol 300 cc528-9W
Ms Jennifer Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the monitoring arrangements and criteria to be used by the Government Office of the west midlands when evaluating the performance of the private Careers Advice Service (PROSPECTS) operating in Wolverhampton. [14263]

Dr. Howells

All Careers Service companies must submit a plan to their local Government Office which contracts with careers service companies on a basis which is designed to ensure that necessary outcomes are achieved and the requirements of the DfEE are met. These requirements are set out in the document "The Requirements and Guidance for Careers Service Providers". This requires Careers Services to evaluate systematically their delivery of all contracted outcomes, operate an effective system for collecting customer feedback, and undertake a thorough annual review of their activities.

The Government Office monitors Careers Service companies' performance against the key indicators set down in this document against the companies' business plans and against the terms of the contract. Regular monitoring of the financial position of Careers Service companies is also routinely undertaken.