The Connexions Service aims to support young people in making key decisions about their future, by advising them of the range of options available to them and by helping them to overcome any barriers that may be affecting their choice.
Connexions Personal Advisers (PAs) work with young people in schools, special schools, colleges, the Connexions centre in Wigan, the Life Centre in Leigh and community venues. Through one to one interviews and groupwork sessions, Personal Advisers provide impartial information, advice and guidance to young people.
PAs can help with a range of issues including:
- Career choice
- education
- jobs and training
- health
- leisure
- drugs and alcohol
- relationships
- housing
- bullying
- money
- volunteering.
We offer specific help and support to young people in schools from Year 9 to Year 11 and also after they leave school.
Connexions PAs go into local colleges and sixth forms and offer one to one interviews as well as group sessions on popular issues such as applying to university etc.
Young people aged 16+ can also get help and support from Personal Advisers including:
- a free job search service – checking employment and training vacancies with young people and helping them to apply
- support with CVs, letters, interviews
- help and advice to overcome any issues young people may have, for example, money , housing, drugs and alcohol issues etc.
- advice on further and higher education courses and student finance
- up to date library of information in a range of formats and access to the internet
- access to careers software to help decision making
We can also support young people if they need to access other more specialised services – for example, the Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Team.
Information we keep on young people
Connexions holds information about young people to help us provide them with the guidance and support they need to progress in education, training or employment opportunities. This information includes details such as
- young people's name, date of birth, address, telephone number and email addresses
- the school they attend or attended and the results of any exams taken
- what they're currently doing (for example, in school, college, employed or looking for work)
- the name of their Connexions Personal Adviser and the level of support provided by Connexions
We may share some information with other organisations who are involved with a young person's education, training or support unless they ask us not to.
Connexions also keeps a record of the contact young people have had with Connexions Advisers. This information will not be shared with other people unless they young person has given their consent for us to do so or if there is a legal requirement to do so, or their is a risk of serious harm or threat to life.
