The suggestion made by Tim Collins, shadow education secretary, that the Conservatives would be inclined to remove the careers service from Connexions belies the original thinking behind the service.
Our research has found that homeless young people have benefited from linking careers guidance with a personal support facility.
Its two-tiered approach of providing careers guidance while addressing areas where more help was required was perceived to be its main strength.
Young people were very clear that they did not want to be pushed from one agency to another to get appropriate help.
Rather than removing this vital part of the service, surely it would be more beneficial to look at ways of improving and expanding services. Many young people we interviewed thought they needed advice and support that came from joined-up working.
Balbir Chatrik
Director, Policy and communications
Centrepoint
Whitechapel Road, London E1
