All-age guidanceâ–”public, private or welfare service?

The emphasis upon the creation of a culture of lifelong learning propels the issue of accessibility to guidance for adults into the limelight. The Careers Service and other careers guidance providers have demonstrated a commitment to all-age guidance in the absence of a coherent policy or resource framework. Following â–˜contracting outâ–™, Careers Services are wrestling with the ambiguities inherent in the â–˜private company-public serviceâ–™ equation. These are compounded by the continuing absence of clarity at policy level regarding the development of all-age guidance. The central question remains that of how a service, with benefits accruing to the individual, the community and the economy, is most appropriately funded and delivered.