Careers work in Scottish state secondary schools: The guidance teacher as pastoral firefighter

Robertson, Peter; Meldrum, Susan; Earnshaw, Heather

Abstract

This article examines the delivery of career education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) to young people in Scottish state secondary schools. It explores the role of guidance teachers, and the influence of national policy initiatives, curriculum guidelines and external agencies on their work. The perspective of teachers is the central focus for this research. Research interviews were conducted with 10 guidance teachers and contextualised with input from five topic experts. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Key issues reported by participants included growing demands on their time, difficulty with role boundaries, lack of training, and regional variation in provision for education-employer links. Areas for policy and practice improvement are identified. These include recommendations for staff roles, quality standards, and training.

Citation

Robertson, P., Meldrum, S., & Earnshaw, H. (online). Careers work in Scottish state secondary schools: The guidance teacher as pastoral firefighter. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2025.2463444

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 1, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Apr 28, 2025
• Deposit Date: May 5, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: May 5, 2025
• Print ISSN: 0306-9885
• Electronic ISSN: 1469-3534
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2025.2463444
• Keywords: SDG 3: Good health and wellbeing; SDG 4: Quality education; SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth; career education; career guidance; schools
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/4118246