The Explore More pilot programme was for Year 9 students with a Children in Need (CiN) or Child Protection (CP) plan and was successfully trialled in five Stevenage schools during the 2023 spring and summer terms. Services for Young People (SfYP) is now pleased to be extending the programme to also include young people in care, who can join the programme from Year 7. The programme is now called Explore More+ and it will be delivered in schools across the whole county from the October 2023 half term.
Explore More+ is a robust careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) programme designed by SfYP in partnership with the Hertfordshire Virtual School. The focus is on raising students’ aspirations, building confidence and breaking down barriers to success. The activities are tailored to the young person’s specific needs and year group, and cover themes such as:
- Exploring future options
- Planning a career path
- The world of work and local job opportunities
- Further and higher education
- Goal setting
- Preparing for adulthood
Each student receives a personalised ‘action plan’, which is updated at each meeting, to help them stay on track and achieve their goals.
As well as meetings with a dedicated SfYP Personal Adviser, additional support from the SfYP youth work team can be provided to help the young person overcome any life challenges they may be facing and give them more confidence as they make the transition into adulthood.
This comprehensive and holistic support, provided at an early stage, aims to prevent the young people becoming from becoming NEET (not in education employment or training) when they leave school.
A specialised Explore More+ programme, which recognises the unique requirements of young people with special educational needs or disabilities, has been developed for delivery in special schools.
The programme aligns with the Gatsby Benchmarks and the Career Development Institute’s careers development framework.
If you would like to find out more, please contact your local SfYP Team.
Read about SfYP’s support for young people across Hertfordshire
