Derbyshire Education Business Partnership shortlisted for Children & Young People Now Awards
Derbyshire Education Business Partnership has been shortlisted for The Advice and Guidance Category in the Children & Young People Now Awards. The Awards highlight the very best practice in work with children, young people and families. In a year of turmoil and unprecedented challenges, the Awards recognise innovation and impact across the sector.
The partnership’s submission was for Directions – a new remote careers and guidance support service. Directions was developed in a response to COVID-19 to ensure continued support for the Raising Aspirations programme; which targets students identified as being most in need – young people facing multiple barriers to engaging fully with their education.
Clare Talati, Managing Director said, “When lockdown started in March 2020, young people were no longer able to access face to face support via school. Directions ensured that our experienced and dedicated staff could still get to know the young people, their strengths and aspirations and were able to provide support at a critical phase. We are incredibly proud to be recognised for our work.”
The programme – available to young people and their families in secondary and special educational needs and disability schools – includes access via telephone, email, webchat and video conferencing to:
• Careers advice and guidance
• Employer workshops
• How to guides
• Transition support
• Study techniques and resources
DEBP developed a range of new resources to support remote curriculum delivery covering over 20 themes including applications, Apprenticeships, employability, mental health, resilience, stress management, wellbeing and much more.
Employer support has also been fundamental to Directions and employer volunteers have provided many creative ideas, as well as their invaluable perspective on work and employment.
Since September, Derbyshire Education Business Partnership has adopted a blended approach of in-school ‘Raising Aspirations’ delivery, alongside ‘Directions’ remote service. This will see more than 2,000 young people supported through this project alone up until July 2021.
For more information on DEBP please visit www.debp.org
DEBP supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
