Initial Guidance Session Plan

Session date

Session time & location

Referral source / reason for session

Previous guidance sessions (Y/N) — if yes, date

Pre-Session Preparation Checklist

Reviewed student's academic record and predicted grades
Checked any SEND, EAL, PP or LAC flags that may affect guidance
Noted any previous guidance or careers activities the student has accessed
Prepared relevant LMI / resources for likely career interests (if known)
Confirmed confidentiality — reminded student of any safeguarding exceptions

PHASE 1

Opening — Building Rapport (0–3 min)

Start with an open, non-threatening question. Avoid jumping straight to careers. Let the student settle.

Opening question: "How are things going for you at school at the moment?"

PHASE 2

Student Aspirations Exploration (3–12 min)

Use open questions. Allow silences. Avoid leading. Record key themes and phrases the student uses.

"What subjects or activities do you most enjoy — at school or outside?"

"If you think about the future — what sort of work, or life, do you imagine for yourself?"

"Is there a particular career or job you've heard about that interests you?"

"What do you think your strengths are — what are you good at?"

"Are there any barriers or worries you have about your future plans?"

"Have you spoken to anyone at home about your future plans? What do they think?"

PHASE 3

Gatsby Benchmark Status Check (12–15 min)

Quickly assess which benchmarks the student has already accessed. Circle Y or N for each.

BM 1

Stable careers programme

Yes

BM 2

LMI research completed

Yes

BM 3

Needs addressed

Yes

BM 4

Careers in curriculum

Yes

BM 5

Employer encounter

Yes

BM 6

Workplace experience

Yes

BM 7

FE/HE encounter

Yes

BM 8

Personal guidance (this session)

Yes

PHASE 4

Action Points — 3 SMART Targets (15–18 min)

#	Action (Specific & Measurable)	Who?	By when?	✓
1
2
3

Signposting Resources

National Careers Service

nationalcareers.service.gov.uk

Prospects

prospects.ac.uk

Apprenticeship Search

findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk

UCAS

ucas.com

Not Going to Uni

notgoingtouni.co.uk

Amazing Apprenticeships

amazingapprenticeships.com

Additional resources given to student today:

📝 Session Summary — Student Completes This Section

The most useful thing I learned or discussed today:

My first action point — I commit to doing this before my next session:

Next session date: Time:

Student signature: Adviser signature: