Who this applies to
The DfE's statutory careers guidance applies to:
- All maintained schools, including maintained special schools and pupil referral units (PRUs)
- Academies and free schools (including alternative provision (AP) academies and free schools)
The requirements do not apply to non-maintained special schools and independent schools.
Summary of changes effective from September 2025 Your statutory requirements remain the same There are no changes to the careers legislative framework – however, you should meet the expectations in the updated statutory careers guidance unless you have good reason not to. New work experience expectations for years 7 to 9 Your school should provide 1 week’s worth of work experience activities for pupils in years 7 to 9, and another week's worth of work experience placement(s) for pupils in years 10 to 11. Note: you don't need to have this in place by September 2025, but should be planning these changes from September. Read more about this new expectation in the 'What you need to