CAREERS INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
We are committed to helping every student make informed and confident decisions about their future. Our careers provision keeps parents and carers fully involved through access to our Careers website with up-to-date Labour Market Information (LMI), termly parent newsletters, and apprenticeship and university webinars.
Parents are welcome to join their young person’s 1-1 careers meetings and can contact the Careers Team directly for advice or support. Together, we aim to ensure every student finds the right next step for their future.
MEET THE TEAM
Events to support parents and students with the application process include:
- Parent and Carers Higher Education/ UCAS application Information Evening: This event walks parents and carers through the application process, key dates, support available and a quick student finance information session. Invitations and booking instructions are sent to parents and carers of Level 3 year 1 students via email. If you have missed the event and wish to access the information, please look at your child’s Careers Hub Teams page, and click on the channel ‘ Information for Parent’s’.
- UniBound HE Progression Day: Each Spring we hold a UniBound Higher Education Progression Day which consists of virtual talks presented by university partners. Recordings of talks are available via the Careers Hub student Teams page. In addition we also host University Fair’s, which are advertised on student teams pages.
- Personal Statement check days: Two dedicated all-day drop-in sessions (no appointment needed) where students can get their statement checked by the Careers team, or a professional from a local university. These dates are in early are advertised on the Career Hub Teams page and by the Progress and Academic coaches.
- Lunch time drop-in sessions at the Careers POD
- Careers and Progression appointments: Students can book a 1:1 appointment with the online booking system. They can find the link on the Careers Hub student TEAMS page
- Parent’s Student Finance Information Evening Apply 25 Cycle. January 29, 2025 (online): This is a more in-depth session which take you through the finer points of application, eligibility, and additional financial support. All applicants and their parents will receive their invitation via email.
Further information is available via the UCAS website where you will find handy guides and information pages on all aspects of application, research, degree apprenticeships, and Student Finance.
Information about Clearing and Results days can be found on the UCAS website.
We know that parents and carers can often feel out of touch with the support offered to your child. The Parent’s Portal is an excellent place to start.
If your child is on the first year of a Level 3 course, you will be invited via email to our Parent and Carers UCAS Application Information Evening held annually in the Spring. Parents of applicants will also be invited to an online talk hosted in February to support you with the Student Finance application process.
| Advice for parents, guardians and carers | Undergraduate, Conservatoires, Apprenticeships, 16-18 Choices | UCAS |
| Information about Student Finance can be found here |
| If your child is considering an apprenticeship, you may be interested in the Parent’s guide found here |
Students have access to our subscribed Career platforms, which require them to log in using password, or their email. You may want to look at the resources together, or you can find some helpful Career profile information on the National Careers Service website, Prospects.ac.uk or the Pathways tool found on our website.
Parents, carers and guardians can provide valuable support to young people making education and careers choices.
You do not need to have all the answers, but listening to young people and exploring different education and careers choices with them can make a big impact.
It’s never too early to start the conversation about their next steps. This advice is designed to help guide you through that conversation with a young person.
Remember, you do not have to cover everything during one conversation. You can have as many conversations as you need and pick up where you left off.
Parents advice and resources | Skills for Careers
Help a young person make career choices | National Careers Service
Making your careers conversations easier – Talking Futures
We understand that every student’s journey is unique, and our aim is to provide clear, accessible information about career pathways, apprenticeships, further study, and workplace support. Explore the links below to discover practical tools, advice, and opportunities designed to help your young person achieve their goals and thrive in their future career.
Job support if you have special educational needs or a disability | National Careers Service
A supported internship is an unpaid work-based study programme. It’ll help you take the first step from education into the workplace while gaining the skills you need to get a paid job.
Supported internships if you have an education, health and care plan | Skills for Careers
Advice and guidance for people with Autism
Support to get work experience and find a job
The Services for Young People Supported Employment Team helps young people with learning difficulties and learning disabilities to find suitable paid work and thrive in the workplace.
Mencap’s advice tool can help you to find different resources we have made with information and advice about how to find a job and other work-related subjects. You can also find information about our programmes that support people with a learning disability and autism to find a job
The Shaw Trust believes that staying in education, training or work is vital for a young person to improve their life chances. Our careers advice, study programme, apprenticeships, short courses and academies build the key skills and experience needed for the world of work.
We support young people to realise their potential – Shaw Trust
We know how hard it can be to get started in life. Whatever challenges you’re facing, if you’re aged 16 to 30, The King’s Trust (formerly known as The Prince’s Trust) is here for you
Help getting a job | How we can help | The King’s Trust
Exceptional Individuals provides neurodiversity consulting, recruitment and employment support to employers and individuals with dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and autism.
Exceptional Individuals | Neurodiverse Recruitment & Employee Support
Our dedicated careers team can offer additional support to students considering applying to Oxford or Cambridge universities or other competitive universities. As well as additional support we are able to offer bursaries for students who require financial support to prepare for and to complete the admission exams.
Students who express a wish to apply for a competitive university should make themselves known to a careers advisor who will then invite them to attend our 12 weeks ‘Scholar Programme’ in the Spring term of their first year at college.
Further information on university applications to competitive universities.
Oxbridge application tips | UCAS
10 Top Tips for Applying to Oxbridge | Oxford Tutors
Expert Oxbridge Application Support | Oxbridge Applications
A guide to the Oxbridge application process – The Uni Guide
GET IN TOUCH
For any other Careers queries, please contact us on: careers@sparsholt.ac.uk