“Having worked within the adult division when I witnessed some really dedicated staff. Others were just reading off a script all day whilst delivering training sessions. Treating all attendees with a prescriptive approach (embarrassing to listen to) similar to a fast moving production line. Then tick the boxes, be creative with stats and outcomes and move onto the next intake. The general theme across all departments is much moaning, knocking off as close to 4pm as possible with a general outlook of not appreciating the benefits of only working a 37 hour week Far too much paid sickness, I recall and with some resentment at the time, someone who was clearly not unwell, yet the system did not intervene, when it was clear there was a regular pattern. Only returning long enough to stack up some more paid sick leave! Then as predicted off again. As for senior management and execs: not a business decision maker in sight! In my opinion, tax payer¿s money was not treated with respect. Middle managers, unable to make changes, as they are permanently accountable to the above non hands on people on salaries not matching their roles.
Young persons P A¿s: some of the staff I came in to contact with seemed to be dedicated, others not so. Either way from personal experience, my daughter received 2 interactions the 1st purely ridiculous ¿advice¿, completely non relevant to her situation and with many assumptions made. The 2nd a true guidance session which was constructive and helpful. . But I am aware that outcomes need to be met, along with boxes to tick regardless of individual differences.
I would like to think that local authority may assist with moving the service along, but I suspect that many of the folk previously employed by connexions will be influential.
For the record I am not in need of any therapy, only stating some facts here, there are more and much, much worse, but not pertinent to this thread.”

“Having worked within the adult division when I witnessed some really dedicated staff. Others were just reading off a script all day whilst delivering training sessions. Treating all attendees with a prescriptive approach (embarrassing to listen to) similar to a fast moving production line. Then tick the boxes, be creative with stats and outcomes and move onto the next intake. The general theme across all departments is much moaning, knocking off as close to 4pm as possible with a general outlook of not appreciating the benefits of only working a 37 hour week Far too much paid sickness, I recall and with some resentment at the time, someone who was clearly not unwell, yet the system did not intervene, when it was clear there was a regular pattern. Only returning long enough to stack up some more paid sick leave! Then as predicted off again. As for senior management and execs: not a business decision maker in sight! In my opinion, tax payer¿s money was not treated with respect. Middle managers, unable to make changes, as they are permanently accountable to the above non hands on people on salaries not matching their roles.
Young persons P A¿s: some of the staff I came in to contact with seemed to be dedicated, others not so. Either way from personal experience, my daughter received 2 interactions the 1st purely ridiculous ¿advice¿, completely non relevant to her situation and with many assumptions made. The 2nd a true guidance session which was constructive and helpful. . But I am aware that outcomes need to be met, along with boxes to tick regardless of individual differences.
I would like to think that local authority may assist with moving the service along, but I suspect that many of the folk previously employed by connexions will be influential.
For the record I am not in need of any therapy, only stating some facts here, there are more and much, much worse, but not pertinent to this thread.”

“well said sue!!! every staff member do an excellent job with pehaps only a handfull of staff that loose there motivation. Connexions is a service that without people knowing has place within every setting for young people, there behind the scenes even if the public don't see them. the amount of work staff put into to best support their clients is unbelievable and they always remain client focussed. Support is always given and clients are never turned away or forced into something they don't want. staff go into this type of job because they want to help”

“Luckily Anonymous, Anonymous does not represent the majority of Connexions PA's. Fortunately for the young people in Staffordshire most of us choose to do this job because we care about them. In my area, PA's work exceptionally hard and always go the extra mile where possible. In schools, all Year 11's have as many 1:1 guidance interviews as they want to ensure they end up making well informed, realistic decisions - according to need. For many this will be just be 1, but others may have several. Those on the SEN register will have extra support as will other vulnerable groups. All students are invited to group sessions throughout their school life on a variety of subjects, have drop in sessions - usually several times a week, and they can self refer at any time or be referred by school staff, from Year 9 upwards. PA's may accompany those who need it to college interviews, also speak to parents if required and advocate on their behalf if requested. PA's write various statutory documents for some students. PA's encourage students to raise their aspirations, motivate them so they don't under-achieve, and support them to tackle barriers that prevent them from moving forward. PA's also offer support to the students at various school meetings, and meetings with other agencies where they are involved. PA's are different from most other professionals in the integrated youth service as they are usually the only ones who are guidance-trained. Guidance is a professionally taught skill, and is very different to giving advice and information, and officials in government and local authorities often seem to miss this very important point. PA's do have to provide extra support to those groups in danger of becoming NEET as this is what was decided by government when it formed Connexions, and we always have government targets we are expected to meet. However all the PA's I know don't feel this should be done at the expense of the rest of the cohort, and so we also offer a universal service in schools as well as targeted. Every PA knows that there is no point in getting a student into some kind of education or training they haven't thought about in detail as if they don't like it, they will drop out. We support them to move into opportunities to which they are well matched.
No thought appears to have been given to the impact of the current cuts. Most of the redundancies will be the front line staff, and guidance cannot currently be offered from anywhere else for local young people. Next month PA's should be starting to see the new Year 11's but it is unlikely that now they will all get the guidance they deserve. With the recession still hitting jobs and apprenticeships, cuts in college and HE courses, there is a need for more guidance for Staffordshire's young people, not less. Raising the Participation Age will also mean that students will need guidance to make the best choice for them. They are individuals who need a service where highly trained professionals have time to offer them individual guidance - it's not one size fits all. In any organisation it's inevitable that there are 'rogue' employers/managers which Anonymous Anonymous has been unfortunate enough to experience. However I'd like to stress that my experience is very different from this, and I'm part of a brilliant team of professionals at all levels. Schools we work in say they are really pleased with the positive effects the PA's have in the schools in many ways and will be devastated if the service is reduced. For the record, I start work every day at around 8.15am and have to hit the ground running as there is always so much to do, and I do a very full day's work, plus various school evening events, late night duty and Saturday duties in the centre plus occasional other evenings such as visiting youth or community groups. When Connexions centres are shut, the staff are still working, eg doing important updating and administrative work, telephone calls, meeting”

“Dear Anonymous, Anonymous
You're clearly hurting, I suggest you seek therapy, it will help you make a more reasoned debate.”