CXK’S CAREER GUIDANCE RECOGNISED AS ‘GOOD’ IN LATEST OFSTED REPORT

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CXK, the leading provider of vocational advice and support to schools and colleges across the south-east, has been recognised as ‘Good’ following an Ofsted inspection of the National Careers Service.

The Ashford-based charity is a prime contractor of the service, a government initiative to help people make decisions on learning, training and work.

Pauline Smith, CXK Chief Executive, said the rating was a ‘fantastic achievement’ and testament to the support the charity provides its customers across the region. She added: “This positive recognition of the National Careers Service across the south-east is a true acknowledgment of the commitment and professionalism displayed by staff and sub-contractors on a daily basis. A huge thank-you to all careers advisers for their continued hard work and positive outcomes with so many individuals – they truly make a significant difference to so many”

The Ofsted report, which was carried out between February 14th and 17th, commended CXK for implementing good practice in a number of areas, these included:

  • Skilled advisers working very effectively with customers; advisers using their understanding of customers’ strengths and personal challenges to agree appropriate goals and set manageable targets.
  • Customers with significant barriers to success, such as poor mental health or high levels of anxiety, receiving very good practical, supportive and sensitive advice and guidance.
  • Leaders, managers and trustees working together very effectively to raise standards, improve the quality of service and increase the level of positive outcomes for customers.
  • Advisers knowing their local areas well; making very good use of labour market information and the learning opportunities and support available to help customers achieve their goals.

The report also highlighted areas of CXK’s offering that required further development, such as attendance rates and skills action plans. These recommendations will be part of CXK’s improvement plans in order for the service to achieve an ‘outstanding’ rating within the following year.

Craig Carton, CXK’s Director of Operations and Quality, said: “Validation from an external body such as Ofsted is a fantastic outcome for our service and the inspection result endorses the quality of the services we deliver to more than 25,000 people each year. Crucially, this inspection also provides us with a clear plan for the continued development of the service as we strive to help even more people this year”.