Updated careers guidance: what it means for schools and colleges

Today (23 June 2026) the Department for Education (DFE) has updated its statutory guidance on careers guidance for schools, colleges and independent training providers. This provides further clarity on the government’s work experience guarantee, while reinforcing the continuing importance of the eight Gatsby Benchmarks as the central framework for high-quality careers education.

The Gatsby benchmarks define world-class careers guidance for young people in England, based on international evidence. They are now used in over 4,700 secondary schools, colleges and independent training providers.

From September 2026, schools should be reforming their programmes so that young people receive one week’s worth of work experience activities during Years 7 to 9, and one week’s worth of work experience placement(s) during Years 10 and 11. The guidance continues to emphasise that these experiences must be meaningful: which includes having a clear purpose, two-way interaction with employers, and time for students to both prepare and reflect.

The updated guidance also reflects how careers provision will feature in inspection. For schools, Ofsted will consider how far they are making progress towards the Gatsby Benchmarks. In colleges and other post-16 settings, inspectors are required to comment on careers guidance for young people, including how young people are supported to understand progression routes.

The guidance underlines the importance of careers provision that is stable, structured and embedded across the whole institution. Senior leaders play a vital role in this, by setting strategic direction, backing careers leaders and wider staff, and ensuring provision is connected to wider school or college priorities.

High-quality careers guidance helps young people connect what they are learning today with the opportunities available to them in the future, and the impact can be transformative. Evidence also shows that students in institutions achieving more Gatsby Benchmarks are less likely to become NEET, with particularly strong effects for disadvantaged young people.

As schools and colleges review the updated guidance, Gatsby will continue to champion the institutions who are using the Benchmarks to build ambitious, integrated careers programmes. Our resources for senior leaders bring together practical guidance, tools and examples from trailblazing schools and colleges who have achieved remarkable outcomes for young people.

Further information is available through:

Gatsby’s guidance and resources for senior leaders

The DFE’s careers statutory guidance in full

The Careers & Enterprise Company’s summaries for schools, colleges and ITPs