Supporting your child’s career journey: A guide for parents and carers
As a parent or carer, you play a vital role in helping shape your child’s future. Whether they already have a clear idea of their next steps or are still exploring their options, your encouragement, guidance, and conversations can make all the difference.
At St. Julie’s Catholic High School, we are proud of our comprehensive Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) programme, which is designed to support students from Year 7 through to Year 13. Alongside our in-school provision, our Careers website and newsletters signpost students and families to trusted online tools and resources to help with planning and decision-making.
Why your role matters
While some students may have clear aspirations, many are still developing their understanding of the options available. You can help by:
- Starting regular conversations about careers and next steps
- Focusing on skills, attitudes, and interests instead of specific job titles
- Encouraging your child to reflect on what motivates and fulfils them
- Exploring the careers education they’ve received in school (assemblies, PSHE, form time, trips, and visits)
- Staying open-minded and supporting their evolving goals
- Respecting that their final choices should reflect their own interests and ambitions
Top Tips to help you start the conversation
If you’re not sure how to begin the conversation, these five tips may help:
- Ask about their interests, strengths, and values
- Discuss which subjects they enjoy or struggle with, and what that might mean for future pathways.
- Explore career ideas together using platforms such as SpringPod, the National Careers Service Skills Assessment or skills quiz on our website
- Identify careers to research
- Share your own journey – talk about your experiences in work and those of family and friends.
Further Support for Families
We understand how important it is for parents to feel informed too. Whether you’re supporting your child with Year 8 options, Post-16 choices, university applications, apprenticeships, or student finance, there are a range of reputable organisations and resources to guide you. You’ll find many of these on our Careers site.
If you have any questions about your child’s future pathway, or would like to arrange a careers appointment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Mrs J. Jones – Careers Lead
ajonesj@stjulies.org.uk
0151 428 6421
Mrs S. Mannings – Independent Careers Adviser
smanningss@stjulies.org.uk
0151 428 6421 (Ext. [Insert extension if known])
We welcome parent contact and are happy to arrange meetings or calls to offer personalised guidance and support.
Individual Careers Guidance Interviews
At St. Julie’s, we are committed to ensuring that all students receive careers guidance tailored to their personal aspirations and needs. While any student is welcome to request a one-to-one meeting with our independent Careers Adviser, this support is prioritised for students in Years 8. 10, 11 and 13 as they approach key transition points.
Students are identified for careers appointments in a number of ways -through staff referrals (including Form Tutors, Progress Leaders in relation to their Key Stage and transition point) or by referring themselves directly.
Our qualified, Independent Careers Adviser, Mrs. Mannings, works with students to explore their future options, whether that’s further education, training, or employment.
Resources for Parents and Students
At St Julie’s, we aim to empower students and families with comprehensive, impartial guidance to support informed decision-making.
- The government-funded National Careers Service offers a wealth of impartial information on a wide range of jobs and career pathways. It provides clear details on qualifications, duties, skills, and salaries.
Explore Careers – National Careers Service - Apprenticeship Guidance – GOV.UK – For detailed information on apprenticeships, including pathways, eligibility, and real-world examples, explore the official government apprenticeship site—where you can also search for vacancies locally and nationally.
Find Apprenticeships – GOV.UK - UCAS – Post-18 Options – UCAS provides easy-to-follow guidance on post-18 qualifications, with links to apprenticeship schemes and university applications. Ideal for those preparing for life after Year 11 or college.
Further Education – UCAS - WhatUni –Search through university courses across the UK and explore key information such as entry requirements, graduate outcomes, and student satisfaction.
Course Search – WhatUni - Unifrog – St Julie’s uses Unifrog for students in Years 10-13. It is a powerful careers platform offering career profiles, apprenticeship details, university information, labour market data, and more.
- Springpod – This is a free online platform designed to help students explore career options and gain real-world experience through virtual work experience, career insight days, and university taster sessions. It offers interactive courses created in partnership with leading employers and universities across sectors like healthcare, engineering, media, law, and more. Students can complete programmes flexibly around their studies, build their CVs, and gain certificates to demonstrate their engagement and interests to future employers or admissions teams. Visit: www.springpod.com to sign up and start exploring opportunities.
Parent / carer guides:
Parents Guide to Apprenticeships – and video clip; how to find an apprenticeship.
University Vs Apprenticeships video clip
Destination and Labour Market Updates
Click here to access LMI (Labour Market information) Labour Market headline indicators – Liverpool City Council
Click here to access Destinations information
These resources are freely available to help you and your child explore options, develop plans, and feel confident in their future choices. If you need support navigating them, or have questions at any stage, please contact:
- Mrs J. Jones – Careers Lead: ajones@stjulies.org.uk
- Mrs S. Mannings – Independent Careers Adviser: smannings@stjulies.org.uk