Press release
Minister Foley announces establishment of National Policy Group for Lifelong Guidance
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD has today announced the establishment of a new National Policy Group for Lifelong Guidance as recommended by Indecon in its review of Career Guidance Tools and Information.
The National Lifelong Guidance Policy Group comprises senior officials from the Department of Education, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Department of Social Protection, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The Department of Education will chair the group.
The role of the national policy group is to steer the development of a coherent, long-term strategic framework for lifelong guidance, ensuring that the response to the recommendations of the Indecon report is consistent with the development of national and international approaches to lifelong guidance.
The policy group will engage with relevant stakeholders to guide and advise its work via lead Departments as appropriate. Minister Foley announced that the Department of Education will establish an advisory group comprising relevant stakeholders in school guidance, in the coming weeks.
Minister Foley said:
“I am delighted to see work on the recommendations contained in the Indecon report taking place and this work will now be given added impetus under the National Lifelong Guidance Policy Group. The work of this group will ensure that lifelong guidance remains accessible and inclusive and a central and important element of the education system.
“I would like to pay tribute to the current and past Directors and staff of the National Centre for Guidance in Education for their work in progressing guidance policy and practice over a long number of years. This valuable work will be built on and strengthened to ensure that Ireland develops a national strategic framework for lifelong guidance that we can be proud of.”
As part of its work in relation to guidance, the Department has decided to restructure and strengthen the way in which professional development support for school guidance is provided It is intended that professional learning opportunities, collaboration and evidence-based practice support for guidance counsellors and school leaders will be delivered by the Professional Development Service for Teachers , from 1 September 2022. In addition, the policy function for guidance in schools will be centralised within the Department of Education with the establishment of a new Guidance Unit. This unit will develop guidance policy and coordinate guidance functions/responsibilities within the Department of Education (another recommendation contained in the Indecon report). The Guidance Unit will engage nationally with relevant Government Departments and at EU and international level. The NCGE team and Leargas will continue to support the Department during this transition period to ensure a smooth reorganisation.
This restructuring is aligned to the recommendations set out in the Indecon report and will further strengthen the way in which the Department addresses other recommendations and contributes in particular to the development of a strategic framework for lifelong guidance.
ENDS
The Indecon Review of Career Guidance: Final Report was published in April 2019 : https://assets.gov.ie/24951/dffde726604b451aa6cc50239a375299.pdf
Role of the National Policy Group on Guidance:
• scope out the main themes and identify options for progressing the preparation of strategic framework for lifelong guidance drawing on the analysis contained in the Indecon Review, building on existing policy, initiatives and approaches in place
• consider progress in relation to the recommendations contained in the Indecon Review, highlighting priority areas where expedited progress would be expected to yield significant benefits for strengthening career information and guidance
• ensure that there is an alignment and appropriate coordination and collaboration, including in respect of policies and initiatives relevant to careers information and guidance between the Departments represented on the Group
• consider the utility of developing a strategic framework for lifelong guidance; in light of the relevant recommendations of the Indecon Review;
• explore best approaches to ensure expertise in the field of guidance and stakeholder views are captured to appropriately inform the Policy Group’s work
• over time consider whether any additional structures to support the Policy Group’s work may be needed