BLIND and partially sighted children and young people who missed out on careers guidance because of COVID-19 can access free specialist advice for a limited time through a new service from Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT).

TPT is offering blind and partially sighted children and young people the opportunity to sign up to the Careers Advice COVID catch-up service. The service is designed to fill any gaps in local careers support because of the knock-on effect of COVID-19. It will provide a space to discuss and explore career options, including further academic study, vocational training or employment.

Gareth Brydon, Children and Young People Manager at TPT, said:

“We know from research published in May 2021 by Launch Your Career that with economic uncertainty, many young people are worried about the future. There has been a shortfall in career support available from schools and colleges across England; in the worst cases, some have received no input since the first national lockdown in March 2020. Now more than ever, we need to reach out to children and young people to help them make the right decisions.”

The service works by connecting young people in years 10 to 13 in mainstream school or college with a qualified careers adviser that has specialist knowledge of vision impairment. Sessions will take place via Zoom or over the telephone.

Those accessing the service will receive an initial one-hour session with guidance notes produced afterwards to help take any follow-up actions.

Gareth Brydon added:

“After a tough 16 months, TPT is keen to play its part in helping fill the gaps in essential careers support.”

Young people can find out more about the Careers Advice COVID catch-up service via their website: https://www.pocklington-trust.org.uk/student-support/careers-advice-covid-catch-up-service/.