Parents and carers
According to research, parents and carers are the single biggest influence on their child’s career choices. You can help them by talking about their ideas and helping them find out more about the options they have, so they choose the route that best suits their skills, interests and future plans.
Information about about key careers decision points
To help parents and carers support young people with the choices they have in Year 8/9 and in Year 11, we have produced two handouts containing general information about their options.
The handouts give an overview of the options available and also provide more information about the ways in which parents and carers can help young people with their career decisions. They also detail other sources of information and advice that are available.
We have also produced additional information in an article for parents/carers of young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Finding out about local provision
In addition to using the general information in the handouts above, it is also important to find out what is available locally.
Key stage 4 options differ from school to school. Most schools hold an options evening and produce detailed information (an options booklet) about the subjects and qualifications they offer.
Post-16 options also vary. For example:
- In some areas, many young people who want to stay in full-time education after Year 11, will go to their school's sixth sixth form. However, in other areas, fewer schools have sixth forms so students will go to a local sixth form college or college instead. Also, sixth forms and colleges in different areas tend to offer slightly different courses - and not all of them have the same facilities. Check out the websites of local sixth forms and colleges and attend their open events to find out more about what they offer and to look at their facilities.
- Jobs and apprenticeships available in your local area will depend on the needs of the labour market locally. For example, in some areas of the country the manufacturing industry may be a sector that employs large numbers of people, whereas in other areas, hospitality and tourism may be dominant.
- For young people with special educational needs and disabilities, information about provision should be detailed in the 'Local Offer' which is available on each council's website.
Most young people will have an appointment with a careers adviser to help them with their career decisions. If young people have already done some research into their career ideas and the options available to them, this will help them work with their careers adviser to identify the most appropriate next steps. Parents and carers can also contact the careers team in school or college for further help and support.
In Calderdale and Kirklees
For parents, carers and young people in Calderdale and Kirklees, they can use MyDirections to find out about local school and college open days. Information about local job and apprenticeship vacancies can also be found on the homepage. For young people who have a password to use MyDirections, they can use the site to explore their career ideas and find out more detailed information about all their options.
There are also several large careers and apprenticeship events in Calderdale and Kirklees every year. The Get Inspired events, aimed at young people in Year 11 and their parents and carers, are held in October in Batley, Halifax and Huddersfield. Local schools, colleges, training providers and employers have stands at the event, so you can talk to them about what they offer after Year 11. And, in February/March, apprenticeship events are held in Halifax and Huddersfield. These events are aimed at young people in Years 11, 12 and 13 who are interested in getting an apprenticeship after they leave school or college - and their parents/carers.
To get an idea of what it's like going to a C+K careers event, we have produced the video below which was filmed at the Get Inspired event held at the Accu Stadium in Huddersfield in October 2026.
To find out when the events are, check out the events page on MyDirections. Use the 'Search for an event' box at the top of the events page to search for 'Get inspired' or 'Apprenticeship'.
Labour Market & Careers News for Parents and Carers
For over 10 years C+K have produced the C+K careers newsletter, ‘Labour Market & Careers News’, for careers advisers, careers leaders and teachers. We are delighted to announce that alongside each edition of Careers News, we are now producing a version for parents and carers! ‘Labour Market & Careers News for Parents and Carers’ has the latest information about careers events, courses, apprenticeships, qualifications and labour market trends. Find the latest copies below:
Labour Market & Careers News for Parents and Carers June 2026
Labour Market & Careers News for Parents and Carers September 2026