Help and support for all 13 to 19 year olds

Code of Practice for Connexions Personal Advisers

Code of Practice for Connexions PAs

Introduction
This code provides guidelines for Connexions Personal Advisers on key ethical issues and general orientation of professional practice. It is intended to be a written point of reference to ensure that practice develops within criteria and standards that have been widely agreed across the professions contributing to Connexions. It has been derived from the Guidance on Professional Practice issued in January 2002 - and the subsequent period of consultation - and now replaces that document.

Other documents provide a detailed description of the Personal Adviser role and competencies. This code contributes to a wider strategy of ensuring a high quality service by setting out for Connexions Personal Advisers a professional, ethical framework on which to base such work. It supports them in their role of meeting the range and levels of need with which young people approach the Connexions Service and of providing high quality and well informed information, advice, guidance, support and access to personal development opportunities.

Status of the Code
This code should be considered as the basis for the wider professional practice of Connexions Personal Advisers. It adds a complementary, Connexions specific element to existing current professional practice guidance which it is not intended to supersede. It does, however, contain many elements that are considered mandatory practice and must be adhered to. These range from legal requirements to those required by the Connexions Service National Unit.

The Code will be formally reviewed beginning October 2004 to consider its impact. Specific input will be sought from Partnerships, Personal Advisers, young people and other stakeholders to see what concerns and issues have been raised since its implementation. In addition, certain amendments will need to be made to take account of any relevant new legislation to be passed in the coming year – e.g. the Sexual Offences Bill etc. There may also be interim reviews to see how the Code of Practice is being adopted in Connexions Partnerships.

Connexions Partnerships
The guidance does not attempt to provide a comprehensive guide to how Connexions Partnerships should deliver the Service. However, much of the content does refer to procedures and practices that Partnerships must have in place in order for Personal Advisers to operate according to the principles outlined in the code.

All Connexions Partnerships are required to have policies covering such issues as Child Protection, Health and Safety and information sharing. Individual institutions and in particular individual schools, also have a number of their own procedures and practices covering such issues. Whether or not these individual procedures and practices apply to Personal Advisers operating within the institution must be a matter for the Partnership and the institution to agree via the Partnership Agreement. Personal Advisers must be aware of and follow whatever arrangements have been agreed.

Partnerships are responsible for ensuring that the procedures and protocols referred to within the code are in place, are in active use and are fully supported by managers.

All managers helping to deliver the Connexions Service – and in particular those who line manage and/or supervise Personal Advisers – must be aware of the contents of this code. They will need to actively support Personal Advisers, ensuring that they have ongoing access to relevant training and continuous professional development to enable them to operate within the principles described.

Six key principles of PA practice
A Connexions Personal Adviser offers a confidential service to young people; works with them to identify and address their needs; ensures they are able and motivated to engage in education, training and employment; and enables young people to make a successful transition to adult life.

CSNU has defined the six key roles of the Personal Adviser in previous guidance. These six roles should be carried out according to the following key principles of Personal Adviser behaviour:

  • Personal Advisers must work in the best interests of young people, placing the young people’s needs, welfare and interests before their own beliefs and values.

  • Personal Advisers must work to establish and maintain the trust of young people, providing an appropriate and agreed level of confidentiality in all their dealings with young people.

  • Personal Advisers must promote the rights of young people when working with other voluntary, statutory and community organisations, advocating on young people’s behalf and ensuring there is a coherent approach to support for young people.

  • Personal Advisers must, wherever possible, engage parents, carers and families in supporting young people, upholding their trust in the service.

  • Personal Advisers must uphold the integrity of the profession at all times.

  • Personal Advisers must be responsible for reflecting on their own professional practice and for taking steps to maintain, improve and update their own knowledge and skills so they are able to continually deliver a quality service.

    All of this should be carried out in a way that promotes equality of opportunity to all individual young people aged 13-19 (or, where necessary, up to their 25th birthday for young people with learning difficulties or disabilities).

    CODE OF PRACTICE

    Personal Advisers must work in the best interests of young people, placing the young people’s needs, welfare and interests before their own beliefs and values.

    This includes:

  • Working one-to-one with young people to identify, explore and assess their needs, offering impartial information, advice, guidance and support on options for learning/employment and signposting to personal development opportunities;

  • Providing a holistic service that deals with the whole range of a young person’s needs – not just careers guidance;

  • Helping, supporting and advising young people who face challenges that may affect their ability to take part in learning and work;

  • Helping to raise young people’s aspirations through challenging assumptions, stereotypes and low expectations; and

  • Ensuring young people’s welfare is protected at all times.

    (ref: Annex 1 - Child Protection and Preventing the Abuse of Trust)

    Personal Advisers must work to establish and maintain the trust of young people, providing an appropriate and agreed level of confidentiality in all their dealings with young people.

    This includes:

  • Developing open, honest and, where appropriate, sustained professional relationships with young people based on mutual trust;

  • Acting as responsible adults in all their work with young people, treating them with honesty and respect;

  • Empowering young people, enabling them to make choices in relation to learning and development opportunities;

  • Adhering to legislation and codes of practice for preventing the abuse of trust;

  • Offering a fully confidential service within the law and, where applicable, agreed operating practices in institutions within which they may be based; and

  • Collecting, managing and sharing information effectively, with young people’s full involvement, adhering to the Data Protection Act and local Partnership processes and protocols.

    (ref: Annex 2 – Confidentiality and Information Sharing)

    Personal Advisers must promote the rights of young people when working with other voluntary, statutory and community organisations, advocating on young people’s behalf and ensuring there is a coherent approach to support for young people.

    This includes:

  • Promoting the rights of young people and advocating on their behalf where appropriate;

  • Effectively collaborating with a network of voluntary, statutory and community agencies and commercial bodies, looking to ensure young people have access to the services and support they need;

  • Working to promote the integrity of the service with other organisations/institutions who work with young people;

  • Acting professionally in all dealings with other organisations, adhering to agreed protocols and procedures when working from their premises or as part of their teams; and

  • Promoting equal opportunities, respecting diversity, beliefs and cultures and challenging discrimination in all work with young people.

    (ref: Annex 3 – Equal Opportunities)

    Personal Advisers must, wherever possible, engage parents, carers and families in supporting young people, upholding their trust in the service.

    This includes:

  • Encouraging young people to actively involve parents, carers and families in helping them to overcome barriers to achievement;

  • Working with parents, carers and families – with the consent of the young person - to support young people in accessing learning and other development opportunities;

  • Promoting young people’s use of the service to parents, carers and families, taking account of their views and gaining and maintaining their trust in the service; and

  • Promoting equal opportunities, respecting diversity, beliefs and cultures and challenging discrimination when working with parents, carers and families.

    (ref: Annex 3 – Equal Opportunities)


    Personal Advisers must uphold the integrity of the profession at all times.

    This includes:

  • Acting to maintain the trust placed in them by young people, parents, carers, families and other organisations;

  • Not putting young people or themselves at unnecessary risk;

  • Not engaging or seeking to engage in unprofessional relationships with the young people they are trying to help;

  • Avoiding the promotion of activities illegal or harmful to young people or their professional relationships with young people;

  • Demonstrating sensitivity and awareness of the impact of their actions and not acting in a manner that would undermine the integrity of the profession or call into question their suitability to fulfil their role; and

  • Seeking advice from line managers and/or supervisors when conflicts of interest arise that may affect their ability to deliver a professional service.

    (ref: Annex 4 – Health and Safety)


    Personal Advisers must be responsible for reflecting on their own professional practice and for taking steps to maintain and improve their own knowledge and skills so they are able to continually deliver a quality service.

    This includes:

  • Reviewing and reflecting on their own professional practice;

  • Practising within their own areas of competence; recognising their limitations and professional boundaries; seeking advice from line managers and/or supervisors; and referring to other services as necessary;

  • Actively seeking feedback from young people on their individual practice as a Personal Adviser;

  • With the support of their employers, managers and peers, seeking out opportunities for continuous professional development and training to continually improve and update professional skills and knowledge.

    (ref: Annex 5 – Professional Boundaries and the Role of the Personal Adviser)

    Annex 1

    Child Protection and Preventing the Abuse of Trust

    Relationship between the Personal Adviser and the young person
    All relationships between the Personal Advisers and young people should be based on trust, honesty and respect. Personal Advisers should act as responsible adults in all their work with young people. They should have an objective view of a young person’s situation and should support young people to seek the best educational and life choices for themselves, offering impartial advice, information and guidance.

    When a Personal Adviser starts working with a young person, they should clarify the rights and responsibilities of both parties. Personal Advisers should explain their role, including how they can help to address a young person’s needs and how they will broker access to specialist services if required. Personal Advisers should explain to young people the limitations of their role and be clear about their own professional boundaries. Conversely a Personal Adviser should also explain to the young person their right to refuse services and how to do this. All responses should be recorded. Personal Advisers should review this information at periodic intervals in their dealings with young people to ensure they are always clear about the basis on which the service is offered and delivered.

    Child Protection
    It is the responsibility of Connexions Partnerships to ensure that all Personal Advisers undergo child protection training, or supply evidence that they have recently undertaken such training.

    ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ issued by the Department of Health in association with the Department for Education and Skills, sets out how all agencies and professionals should work together to promote young people’s welfare and protect them from abuse and neglect. It is available on the Department of Health website at:
    www.doh.gov.uk/quality5.htm

    In response to the findings of the Victoria Climbie Inquiry, the Department of Health have also issued a document entitled ‘Safeguarding Children: What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused’. This is also available on the Department of Health’s website at:
    www.doh.gov.uk/safeguardingchildren/index.htm

    It is essential that all Personal Advisers are aware of and comply with the principles set out in these documents. They must also follow any specific child protection arrangements that have been agreed for the situation and location in which they are working. For example, Personal Advisers working in schools or colleges must comply with the child protection arrangements of the particular school or college in which they are working. These Personal Advisers will have an obligation to report cases of potential abuse to the named child protection officer within the school/college. These are sometimes referred to as Designated Teachers or Co-ordinators. Personal Advisers working in these situations may also be required to follow the child protection procedures set out by their partnerships. Personal Advisers working in situations that are not covered by such arrangements must always follow the child protection procedures set out by their Connexions Partnerships.

    In all cases, Personal Advisers must ensure that any referral to a designated teacher, social services or other appropriate body is confirmed in writing – e.g. if a referral is made by telephone, the Personal Adviser should send a written confirmation within 48 hours. The Personal Adviser should also ensure that they have received written confirmation of receipt. Social services should acknowledge written referrals within one working day of receiving them, so if they have not replied within three working days, the Personal Adviser must contact social services again. Further information on the referral processes can be found in ‘Safeguarding Children: What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused’ (see web link above).

    Connexions Partnerships are required to have written procedures for dealing with allegations of abuse. These procedures should reflect guidance set down by the local Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) and reflect the guidelines issued by the Department of Health. They should set out the steps that a Personal Adviser would need to take to bring the allegations to the attention of a designated person or someone with the authority to take them forward i.e. a colleague, or LEA official with designated responsibility for child protection. Personal Advisers must follow these procedures when dealing with allegations that fall within child protection.

    Preventing Abuse of Trust
    All organisations involved with caring for young people or vulnerable adults should have codes of conduct to protect against sexual activity within relationships of trust. These codes of conduct are primarily intended to protect young people and vulnerable adults where a relationship of trust exists between them and an adult who is supporting them. However, they should also ensure that those in a position of trust do not put themselves in a situation where allegations whether justified or unfounded, could be made. Personal Advisers are in a position of trust and should observe their Partnership’s code of conduct at all times.

    Further advice about preventing abuse of trust can be found in the Home Office guidance ’Caring for Young People and the Vulnerable?’ issued in association with the Northern Ireland Office, The National Assembly for Wales, the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Skills.

    Connexions Partnerships should be aware that the Abuse of Trust legislation is currently going through Parliament and they will need to ensure their local policies and procedures reflect the new legislation when it becomes law.

    Adult Protection
    Personal Advisers also need to be aware of their responsibilities towards vulnerable adults who may access the Connexions Service. Personal Advisers are likely to come into contact with young adults up to 25 with Special Educational Needs or Learning Difficulties or Disabilities who are likely to be very vulnerable.

    What age does ‘adult’ start?
    An adult is someone over the age of 18 but local procedures may include young people under the age of 18 who are married.

    Which adults are ‘vulnerable’?
    A vulnerable adult is a person:

    “who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to take care of himself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation”. (Who Decides? Lord Chancellors Dept, 1997)

    The Government’s White Paper, ‘Modernising Social Services’, published at the end of 1998, signalled the intention to provide better protection for individuals needing care and support. This has been taken up by the Care Standards Act 2000.

    There is also a commitment to provide greater protection to victims and witnesses and the Government is actively implementing the recommendation proposed in ‘Speaking Up for Justice’, the report on the treatment of vulnerable or intimidated witnesses in the criminal justice system, that a national policy should be developed for the protection of vulnerable adults. It was agreed that local multi-agency codes of practice would be the best way forward.

    The development of these codes of practice should be coordinated locally by each local authority social services department.

    Further information
    For further information refer to the DoH publication ‘No Secrets’ guidance which can be found at:
    www.doh.gov.uk/scg/nosecrets.htm

    The PAVA (Practitioner alliance against abuse of vulnerable adults) website also contains helpful information:
    www.pavauk.org.uk

    Annex 2

    Confidentiality and Information Sharing

    Partnership Protocols
    All Partnerships should have in place procedures and protocols for confidentiality and information sharing that, as a minimum, cover the principles outlined below. Partnerships are responsible for ensuring that all Personal Advisers have access to the relevant training, information and supervision to enable them to provide a confidential service and to be able to deal with any situations that may arise. Partnerships must ensure that robust supervision and line management arrangements are in place so that Personal Advisers are able to quickly seek support when dealing with difficult or sensitive cases.

    All confidentiality and information sharing policies drawn up by Connexions Partnerships must be in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, Human Rights Act 1998 and other relevant legislation.

    In all cases, the safety and welfare of the young person is of primary importance.


    Confidentiality
    As a fundamental principle, Connexions should offer a confidential service to young people with information only being disclosed with the young person’s consent or where there are legal requirements to do so. This is what young people have said they want from Connexions and this should be a core element of Personal Adviser practice.

    The boundary of confidentiality for each worker in a Partnership is that information is only passed to somebody who is authorised to receive it from someone who is authorised to disclose it. The main principle to be observed is that any disclosure should be kept to a minimum and on a need to know basis.

    Limits to Confidentiality
    Young people, including those under 16, generally have the same right of confidentiality as do adults. However, Personal Advisers cannot offer or guarantee absolute confidentiality in the following circumstances:

  • where child protection issues are involved;
  • where there is a significant threat to life;
  • where the young person needs urgent medical treatment; and/or
  • where potential or actual serious criminal offences are involved.

    Limits to confidentiality should be made clear to young people at the earliest opportunity and where confidentiality has to be broken, the Personal Adviser should seek to ensure that the young person is informed first or as soon as possible afterwards.

    Confidentiality in Schools
    The approach to confidentiality described above should apply in all settings but will require the agreement of Headteachers and/or Governors in a school context. Therefore, Connexions Partnerships should seek to agree the position on confidentiality on a school by school basis when negotiating partnership agreements. Where agreement is not possible the school’s own confidentiality policy will apply. In all cases, young people using the service must be told what level of confidentiality they can expect.

    Personal Advisers working in schools will need to adhere to the policies on confidentiality agreed between the Partnership and the school.

    Parents/Carers
    Connexions Personal Advisers should strongly encourage young people to discuss any Connexions support with their parents but must respect the right of the young person not to do so. If the young person gives their consent, Personal Advisers should be proactive in involving parents/carers, encouraging them to take an interest or, where appropriate, become actively involved in any action that is agreed with the young person.

    Neither Partnerships nor individual Personal Advisers are obliged to notify parents that their child is actively involved with Connexions. The exception to this may be if the Personal Adviser is working with a young person in a school where it has been agreed that the school’s confidentiality policy is followed, which may give the parents the right to know this information.

    Information Sharing
    One of the key functions of the Personal Adviser role is to identify young people’s barriers to learning and to provide or facilitate a service which addresses these needs in a coherent way.

    In order to do this it may be necessary to seek detailed information from the young person and to share this information with other agencies that are working with them. Personal Advisers must ensure that they adhere to the information sharing protocols and agreements agreed by the local Connexions Partnership. These protocols will cover both the recording and sharing of information within the partnership and with other agencies or organisations.

    Under the Data Protection Act, information can be shared with others as long as the young person has given their informed consent or there are legal requirements to do so.

    Consent
    Personal Advisers should equip young people with the information that they need to give their informed consent to the provision of services through Connexions and to the recording and sharing of information. They should use clear and understandable language to explain to young people:

  • why they want to record information;
  • how and why this information will be used;
  • what information will be shared with whom; and
  • any limits to the sharing of information.

    Personal Advisers should explain the time frame covered by the consent and review it regularly. They should explain that young people have a right to withdraw consent, informing them how to do so and what the consequences of such action will be. Personal Advisers should also ensure that young people fully understand the potential consequences of not giving their consent – e.g. the need to be reassessed by each professional they come into contact with etc.

    It is good practice to incorporate a statement that shows consent has been explained to the young person and that they understand what this means. Personal Advisers also need to understand when the Partnership expects consent to be explicit and how this should be recorded.

    It is the view of the Information Commissioner (who is responsible for upholding the Data Protection Act) that young people being supported by Connexions are old enough to be able to make their own decisions about their information, unless there is a reason to suggest otherwise. Personal Advisers will need to use their professional judgement to decide if a young person is competent to make such decisions in line with what are known as the ‘Fraser Guidelines’. These guidelines were laid down in a court case which concerned contraceptive advice and treatment, but the principle can be extended to other situations. Broadly speaking, the Personal Adviser needs to be satisfied that the young person fully understands the choices they are making and what the potential consequences may be.

    Further information can be found in ‘Guidance for Youth Workers on Providing Information and Referring Young People to Contraceptive and Sexual Health Services’ available on the Teenage Pregnancy Unit website at www.teenagepregnancyunit.gov.uk.

    Also available on this site is the ‘Confidentiality and Young People Toolkit’ developed by the Royal College of Practitioners and Brook.

    Third Party Information
    A young person may disclose information about a third party that is not relevant to their own learning and development. Personal Advisers must not pursue such information unless there is a risk to life or there are Child Protection concerns. Information about third parties must not be recorded in the young person’s records.

    Sex and relationship guidance
    Lack of confidentiality is one of the main reasons why young people fail to seek appropriate advice about sensitive issues. Young people need to be able to talk to a trusted adult about sex and relationship issues. Although it is desirable that this person is their parent or carer, this is not always possible. The law enables Personal Advisers to respect young people’s rights to confidentiality when discussing sex and relationship issues. A disclosure of under-age sex is not, of itself a reason to break confidentiality but Personal Advisers should always bear child protection issues in mind.

    If a young person is contemplating sexual activity, or is known to be sexually active, then the Personal Adviser should give full, impartial advice and support that takes into account the young person’s circumstances, includes full information on contraception services and allows the young person to make fully informed decisions. In addition, if a young person under the age of 16 years is having or contemplating having sexual intercourse, the Personal Adviser should also take steps to ensure that:

  • wherever possible, the young person is persuaded to talk to their parent or carer; and
  • any child protection issues are addressed.

    Personal Advisers should follow their own organisation’s policy and code of conduct on giving information and advice about contraception and sexual health matters. When working with young people from a faith background or in a faith based school or college, Personal Advisers should also note the information in Annex 3: Equal Opportunities – Working in the Faith sector.

    Further information can be found on the Teenage Pregnancy Unit’s website:
    www.teenagepregnancyunit.gov.uk.

    Substance misuse (drug and alcohol) guidance
    Personal Advisers should ensure that young people who have expressed concern about their own or other’s substance misuse are given full and precise details about how to contact the FRANK helpline  0800 776600 and other local services. Personal Advisers should also ensure that:

  • young people who report serious substance misuse problems and request help are referred to an appropriate agency for assessment and support;
  • any child protection issues are addressed; and
  • Safeguarding the young person’s welfare is paramount.

    Young people and the Police
    Connexions provides the opportunity for closer working relations with statutory and voluntary organisations. As a matter of good practice Connexions Partnerships should agree policies covering liaison with the police and agree how they will work together. The police, however, cannot be bound to work within any agreement reached.

    There is no legal duty to report an offence to the police or to disclose information that criminal offences have been committed. However, Personal Advisers working with young people should be careful to avoid anything which could constitute aiding and abetting offences. Good practice would be to ensure that there are close working relations with the local police. Where information is requested by the police this can be given where consent has been obtained or where, for example, the information requested is likely to prevent a crime from being committed or to prevent harm to individuals and the general public. If there is any doubt, Personal Advisers must seek advice from their Line Management.

    Harm Reduction (drugs, weapons, and personal safety of young person)
    Personal Advisers may find themselves faced with situations that involve drugs, weapons or issues of morality. The general principle to be applied is that the focus should be on the young person’s safety, on safeguarding welfare and on reducing harm to the general public. Personal Advisers should follow local policies and procedures and involve senior management or, where appropriate, specialist organisations – e.g. the Police - in any decision making and preferably prior to any action. If in any doubt Personal Advisers should seek advice and guidance from Partnerships on the action to take.

    Runaways
    The Children Act 1989 provides that parents have ‘parental responsibility’ for their children until they are 18. If the young person is 16 or 17 parents have limited powers to force them home. Under the age of 16 parents’ rights are greater but are not absolute.

    Connexions Partnerships should have policies in place on the help and support that can be offered to young people who have run away from home. Policies should state in what circumstances they will disclose information against the young person’s wishes to parents, police and other agencies. In general Personal Advisers should seek to involve parents / carers, but the primary concern should be to ensure and safeguard the young person’s welfare and safety. Personal Advisers may have to negotiate with parents/ carers and other professionals and will often need to refer on to external organisations i.e. Social Services, Police, Family mediation. Personal Advisers will need to be sensitive to the young persons needs but ensure that support mechanisms are in place and where appropriate, services informed.

    Annex 3

    Equal Opportunities

    Extending opportunity and equality of opportunity is one of the key principles that form the basis of the Connexions Service. Personal Advisers will help all young people to know and realise their potential, raising their aspirations and supporting them in their achievement. Personal Advisers should give all young people the support they need appropriate to their needs and help young people overcome any bias that they may encounter in fulfilling their aims.

    Personal Advisers should have an awareness of issues that young people face and have a responsibility for the active promotion of equality of opportunity. Personal Advisers should undertake an informed and professional approach to their work, in their conduct and in the language used. Resources and materials should actively promote Equal Opportunities. Personal Advisers are responsible for upholding equal opportunities values and are required to support young people to make informed choices by promoting equal opportunities and challenging all forms of discrimination. Equal Opportunities should permeate the whole of the Connexions service and underpins the ethos of Connexions.

    Working in the Faith Sector
    Personal Advisers working in faith schools or colleges or with young people from faith backgrounds must ensure that the advice, guidance and support they provide remains impartial. Across the different faith groups - and even within them - there will be a range of attitudes and responses to the issues young people face. It is important that Personal Advisers do not assume that they know what these attitudes are and they must take the time to find out - sometimes on a case by case basis - before providing advice and guidance to the young person. In all cases, Personal Advisers must not make value or moral judgements about the beliefs of different faiths.

    Personal Advisers must seek to ensure that their advice to young people in a faith context includes the range of options and support groups that would be encouraged by the relevant faith group, school or college. They must help the young person to understand the possible implications of making certain choices within a faith context and make certain that appropriate support is available to assist the young person in any decisions they may choose to make.

    Where possible, and subject to the confidentiality and information sharing guidance in annex 2, Personal Advisers should actively seek to involve parents/carers and the school/college in their work with young people.

    Annex 4

    Health and Safety

    Connexions Partnerships are required by law to have a written health and safety policy and to bring it to the attention of their employees. This policy must comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 . The Health and Safety at Work Act ‘requires employers to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees, so far as is reasonably practicable, and the health and safety of all other people affected by the employer’s undertakings whether on or off premises. This includes students and other young people being advised, supported or mentored.

    Connexions Partnerships should have Health and Safety working practices and policies in place and Personal Advisers should adhere to these policies. Personal Advisers should ensure that all potential risks and dangers are appropriately notified and must not take unnecessary risks, particularly when working alone.

    Violence, threats and abuse to staff are unacceptable and are not part of the Personal Advisers job. Managing violence, threats and abuse is the responsibility of both the employer and the employee.

    Personal Advisers should follow the health and safety policy of their Connexions Partnership and any additional procedures applicable to the specific situations within which they are working. Further information on health and safety in schools can be found in the following publications, which can be obtained from the DfES Publication Centre:

  • Guidance on First Aid for schools(ref: PP3/34348/698/254)
  • Supporting Pupils With Medical Needs (ref: PP3/700/53)
  • Health and Safety of Pupils on Educational Visits (ref: HSPV2)
  • School Security – Dealing With Troublemakers (ref: PP47D14/31050/1297/54)
  • Government Office Action Note 113: Connexions Health & Safety Guidance.

    Further information on Health and Safety can also be found in Action Note 50 issued by CSNU.

    Annex 5

    Professional Boundaries and the Role of the Personal Adviser

    Fully qualified Personal Advisers are highly trained individuals who will have a NVQ Level 4 or equivalent in a relevant professional discipline and will have completed APIR Training and either the PA Diploma or Understanding Connexions. They will also have completed the range of local training – e.g. child protection, information sharing etc – and may, in addition, have their own areas of expertise.

    Personal Advisers who are not yet fully qualified will be actively working towards these standards and Connexions Partnerships must ensure that an appropriate level of supervision is in place (over and above normal line management and/or supervision arrangements) until the Personal Adviser is fully qualified.

    Whatever stage a Personal Adviser has reached in their qualifications or training, it is expected that they will undertake continuous professional development to continually update their knowledge and enable them to become an increasingly effective professional. This includes further formal training and qualifications.

    Young people and their families expect Personal Advisers to have the necessary experience, training and qualifications to deliver the Connexions Service. Personal Advisers should be able to form effective supporting relationships with young people, encouraging and motivating them, helping them to overcome any barriers to learning, development and employment and enabling them to achieve their potential.

    The role of the Personal Adviser
    Regardless of any expertise they may have, all Personal Advisers are expected to deliver the core Connexions service as defined by the statement on meeting individual needs at the front of the 2003/04 Business Planning Guidance. This states that the Connexions Service should:

  • make available information and initial advice services to all young people on the full range of issues that relate to their participation in learning and progress towards adult and working life. This element would include initial advice on career and learning options, and on opportunities for personal development and community involvement, but not in-depth career guidance;

  • provide more intensive forms of guidance and support to those young people who are assessed as needing it, and for whom the Connexions Service is agreed as being the most appropriate source of help. This would include in-depth career guidance and sustained support, advocacy and brokerage activities; and

  • encourage, signpost and help all young people to access other activities and support as listed in the vision statement in paragraph 2, delivered by the partners and sectors represented on the Connexions Partnership, e.g. general school and college provision, wider youth services, Princes Trust, and Millennium Volunteers.

    Personal Advisers must fulfil this function in line with the following six key roles of the Personal Adviser:

  • engage with young people to identify and address their needs, offering information, advice and guidance on learning and career options and personal development opportunities, with a view to raising the aspirations of each young person;

  • work with and support education and training institutions and employers in meeting the needs of young people;

  • work with a network of voluntary, statutory and community agencies, and commercial bodies to ensure a coherent approach to support for the young person;

  • work with parents, carers and families to support young people in accessing learning and other personal development opportunities;

  • manage information effectively to facilitate the process of meeting the needs of young people; and

  • review and reflect upon their own professional practice to achieve continuous improvement

     

    Professional Boundaries
    In all cases, Personal Advisers must only practice within their levels of competence and within recognised professional boundaries. They should not seek to provide directly help and support that they are not trained to give. However, this does not mean that Personal Advisers should avoid exploring areas of need with young people that fall outside their area of competence. When Personal Advisers do find such areas of concern, they should seek advice from line managers/supervisors and, more importantly, broker relationships with other specialist colleagues or local agencies that can provide the specialist support the young person needs. Working this way in a multi-agency environment is a key element of the service Connexions needs to provide to young people.