AUDIT DOCUMENT FOR CAREERS RESOURCE CENTRES IN SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES
Date……………………………………………………School/College ……………………………………………………………
Name of Careers Coordinator/Librarian .…………………………………………………… Signature…………………………………………………….
Name of Auditor……………………………………………………… Signature…………………………………………………….
PURPOSE /- To ensure that Careers Resource Centres (CRC) in schools and colleges conform to a minimum standard that will ensure equality of service to all clients across Wales
- To ensure that any funding allocated from any initiative, such as the CLI, is suitably used
ACCURACY AND
IMPARTIALITY / Careers information must;
- Be accurate and up to date
- Be balanced and as free as possible from bias or partiality
- Seek to raise clients expectations and aspirations and promote equality of opportunity by actively challenging stereotyping in all its forms
USER CARE /
- The Careers Resource Centre should be perceived by the student as a welcoming and user-friendly place
- The needs of the user should be a key priority when designing the layout of the Careers Resource Centre
- There should be a nominated member of the institution’s staff with responsibility for the Careers Resource Centre
1-Below standard2-Meets standard3-Exceeds standard
BY WHEN
Are there signs throughout the institution publicising the Careers Resource Centre and opening times?Are the opening times convenient for the student, e.g. break time, lunch time and after school?
Is there an introduction to the CRC (to include careerswales.com) in early years, e.g. Years 7, 8 or 9
Does the introduction include advice on research skills?
Are there refresher sessions in later years, particularly in Year 12?
ACCESSIBILITY / 1 / 2 / 3 / COMMENTS / ACTION REQUIRED / BY WHOM / BY WHEN
Are resources kept in an area accessible to all students during advertised opening times
(Either in the main resources centre, the Careers Room or elsewhere)?
Are resources kept in a room which is used as a classroom?
Are leaflets kept in suitable containers?
Is there trained support available on request (e.g. library staff or monitors)?
Are resources physically accessible to those with a disability?
MAINTENANCE / 1 / 2 / 3 / COMMENTS / ACTION REQUIRED / BY WHOM / BY WHEN
Are the fittings and furniture fit for purpose?
Are they regularly checked for wear and tear?
Is there a system in place for maintaining, reviewing, updating and filing of resources?
Is there an identified member of staff responsible for ensuring that maintenance is carried out?
CURRENCY / 1 / 2 / 3 / COMMENTS / ACTION REQUIRED / BY WHOM / BY WHEN
Are all materials date stamped?
Is there an annual review to determine effectiveness of provision?
Do the conclusions of the annual review inform the development plan
Are materials the latest edition?
BREADTH OF PROVISION / 1 / 2 / 3 / COMMENTS / ACTION REQUIRED / BY WHOM / BY WHEN
Is the range of materials appropriate for all ages and ability levels?
Are materials available in a range of media (e.g books, magazines, leaflets posters etc)?
EQUAL OPPORTUNTIES / 1 / 2 / 3 / COMMENTS / ACTION REQUIRED / BY WHOM / BY WHEN
Does every student have equal access to all materials from hard copy to internet?
Are all materials unbiased and meet equal opportunities criteria in terms of ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, disability, religion and beliefs, etc?
WELSH LANGUAGE / 1 / 2 / 3 / COMMENTS / ACTION REQUIRED / BY WHOM / BY WHEN
Does the CRC provide access to Welsh language resources?
ADDITIONAL NEEDS / 1 / 2 / 3 / COMMENTS / ACTION REQUIRED / BY WHOM / BY WHEN
Does the CRC hold differentiated resources for students with additional needs?
IT ACCESSIBILITY / 1 / 2 / 3 / COMMENTS / ACTION REQUIRED / BY WHOM / BY WHEN
Are there enough computers for the size of the institution?
Do the computers all have Internet connections and appropriate software loaded?
Is the hardware fit for purpose?
Are printers available and regularly maintained?
Are the computers available for use by students at convenient times, with access to the internet?
Is careers software accessible throughout the institution’s IT network?
Are students and staff trained in the use of the software?
Are registrations to careerswales.com planned (is it part of the CEG programme)?
Are posters promoting software and careerswales.com displayed at access points and around the institution?
CURRENCY / 1 / 2 / 3 / COMMENTS / ACTION REQUIRED / BY WHOM / BY WHEN
Are the latest versions of careers software loaded and working?
Is there a procedure for updating careers software, with a named member of staff responsible?
Is there a written procedure for the above?
CLASSIFICATION / 1 / 2 / 3 / COMMENTS / ACTION REQUIRED / BY WHOM / BY WHEN
Is there a planned conversion to the new CRCI from the old CLCI?
Will this be completed by September 2008?
Is all material clearly labelled according to the CRCI?
If there are sufficient paper resources is the CRCI wall chart on display?
Is there a record/catalogue of all materials available for reference?
Are student monitors used ?
If used are the monitors trained?
SUPPORTING THE CURRICULUM / 1 / 2 / 3 / COMMENTS / ACTION REQUIRED / BY WHOM / BY WHEN
Is there an integrated use of the CRC resources in delivering the ACCAC learning outcomes throughout the curriculum (e.g. labour market information, careerswales.com)?
Have staff been introduced to the CRC?
Are developments to careerswales.com and cliconline.co.uk included in INSET days?
CONTENTS / 1 / 2 / 3 / COMMENTS / ACTION REQUIRED / BY WHOM / BY WHEN
Is there access to information on all of the following topics?
OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION
Information on the full range of occupationsCHOICES
Includes the main choices you will face as you progress through learning and work and provides resources to help with important decisionsEDUCATION
Information on courses, qualifications, funding for study, gap years and studying abroad.
FREE TIME
Information about what to do in your spare time.HEALTH
Information on keeping healthy, including health eating, sexual health, drugs and alcohol.HOUSING
Issues around leaving home and where to go if you are homeless.LAW, YOUR RIGHTS AND CITIZENSHIP
Information about the law and your rights and responsibilities.
MONEY
Information to help you manage your money including opening a bank account, tax, national insurance and claiming benefits .
RELATIONSHIPS
Information on building and maintaining good relationships with friends, family and others.TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT
Information about local transport and how to get about, including learning to drive and how to apply for your driving test.WHERE TO GET HELP
Main providers of advice and information – locally and nationally.WORK AND TRAINING
Information about work and training locally, nationally and abroad. It covers your rights, job hunting, CV writing and training routes1