Help You Choose

For Parents and Carers

Student Choices at 13 or 14

• In Year 8 or 9 students need to make decisions about some of the courses and qualifications that they will study in Years 10 and 11

• What they choose now may affect their options at 16 and beyond

Student Choices at 16

• Continue education at Sixth Form or College

• Learn and earn at the same time through an Apprenticeship

• Employment with Accredited Training

• Volunteering plus part-time study or training

Choices at 16 – What to Study

If students decide to stay in education they will need to make decisions on:

– What subjects to study– What qualifications to aim for– Where to study

Students need to think ahead! ‘What do you want to do at age 18?’

What is Help You Choose?

• Norfolk’s careers information, advice and opportunities website for young people, parents and carers

• Prospectus of courses, training and jobs in Norfolk• Prepare and submit online applications• Information and advice on choosing options• The website address is: www.helpyouchoose.org

The Help You Choose Homepage

How to Search• Click the 6th Form & College Courses Button

How to Search• Use the search options to find the specific courses

you want

Click a course to find out more about it.

Search Results

Applying Students will be either taken to a downloadable application form or to a provider’s website when they click the Apply button on Help You Choose.

Help You Choose ‘Info & Advice’

If your children are unsure about what to do next or need more information on their options, make sure you visit the Info & Advice section of Help You Choose.

There you can find out more about:– Qualifications– Training options– Careers– Job seeking– Higher Education– Financial help

Info & Advice

Kudos• Kudos is an online quiz that helps young people explore

their career ideas. • Kudos can be accessed by young people from the link on

the homepage of Help You Choose.• Students need to type in the first line of their address and

postcode to create an account

Apprenticeships NorfolkIf your child is interested in an Apprenticeship they should go to the ‘Apprenticeships, Jobs and Training’ section on Help You Choose.

National Apprenticeships WebsiteYoung people can register for apprenticeship vacancies at www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Where to get Support

• Careers teachers or subject teachers• Form or year tutors • Staff at the college or sixth form your child wants to

go to• Staff at training providers who organise work-based

learning including apprenticeships• Your child’s mentor• Guidance/Careers Adviser

National Careers Service

• The National Careers Service provides information, advice and guidance to help with making decisions on learning, training and work opportunities

• The service offers confidential, helpful and impartial advice, supported by qualified careers advisers

• The website can be accessed from the homepage of Help You Choose

National Careers Service Homepage

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk

Year 8s & 9s – Things to Do

• Use the careers resources at school to find out more about their career ideas

• Look at the Help You Choose website and other websites to get useful information and ideas

• Read the information from school about options• Understand what subjects they have to do in Years

10 and 11 at school• Know what optional subjects they can do at school• Talk choices over with them and with their teachers

Year 11s – What to Do in Autumn Term

• Look at Help You Choose and shortlist courses• Go to Open Days and Events• Check if financial help can be obtained• Check when the application needs to be done by• Think about a back up plan• Complete an application form

Help You Choose Helpdesk

0344 800 8022

helpdesk@helpyouchoose.org

If you have a question about the Help You Choose website you can contact the helpdesk: