Careers charity secures glowing Ofsted appraisal

An Ashford charity’s careerguidance efforts have been recognised as ‘good’ in an Ofsted report.

CXK in Tufton Street – one of the leading providers of vocational advice and support to schools and colleges across the South East – received the grading following an Ofsted inspection of the National Careers Service.

The charity is a prime contractor of the service, a government scheme to help people make decisions on learning, training and work.

CXK chief executive Pauline Smith described the rating as a fantastic achievement.

She said: “This positive recognition of the National Careers Service across the South East is a true acknowledgment of the commitment and professionalism displayed by staff and subcontractors on a daily basis.”

The Ofsted report, which was carried out in February, commended CXK for implementing good practice in a number of areas. These included: Skilled advisers working very effectively with customers

Giving very good practical, supportive and sensitive advice and guidance to clients with issues such as poor mental health or high levels of anxiety

Leaders, managers and trustees working together effectively to raise standards, improve service quality and increase the level of positive outcomes

Advisers making good use of labour market information and the learning opportunities and support available.

Craig Carton, CXK’s director of operations and quality, said: “Validation from an external body such as Ofsted is a fantastic outcome for our service and the inspection result endorses the quality of the services we deliver to more than 25,000 people each year.

“Crucially, this inspection also provides us with a clear plan for the continued development of the service as we strive to help even more people this year.”

‘Validation from an external body is a fantastic outcome for our service’

CXK chief executive Pauline Smith