Excellence in CEIAG Strategy, Leadership and Practice Across Post-16 Education
Evidencing exceptional practice for the Ofsted Toolkit using the Gatsby Benchmarks and matrix Standard
Fees
Member Rate £89.00 + VAT
Non Member Rate £139.00 + VAT
Overview
High-quality Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) is a strategic priority for all post-16 providers during the 2026/27 contractual year. The updated Gatsby Benchmarks provide a strengthened framework for delivering high-quality careers education that prepares learners for successful progression into employment, apprenticeships, higher and technical education, or further learning. At the same time, the Ofsted Further Education and Skills Toolkit expects leaders to demonstrate how CEIAG is embedded throughout the learner journey and contributes to inclusion, participation, achievement, personal development and positive career progression and positive destinations across apprenticeships, adult learning, study programmes, high needs and SEND, T levels and internships provision.
This webinar will explore how providers can develop an organisation-wide CEIAG strategy that aligns with the updated September 2026 Ofsted Operating Guidance Inspection Framework Toolkit and the Gatsby Benchmarks with curriculum planning, employer engagement, learner support and quality improvement, whilst generating robust evidence of impact for inspection and governance arrangements.
Delegates will leave with practical approaches to strengthening the focus, direction and strategic priorities of the senior leadership, embedding CEIAG across the curriculum and evidencing exceptional practice through learner outcomes, achievements and progression. The webinar will include top tips to ensure CEIAG is a strategic leadership and governance priority; embed CEIAG throughout the learner journey rather than relying on standalone activities; engage employers meaningfully within curriculum design and delivery; use destination, progression, learner and the employer voice data to evaluate impact; and develop a clear evidence base demonstrating how CEIAG improves learner aspirations, career decision-making, employability and successful progression.
Objectives
This webinar will help delegates to:
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Develop a strategic CEIAG approach that aligns the newly updated Gatsby Benchmarks, the matrix Standard and the September 2026 Ofsted Further Education and Skills Operating Guidance Inspection Toolkit across study programmes, apprenticeships, adult learning, T Levels, high needs, SEND and supported internships.
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Evaluate and strengthen organisational CEIAG practice by embedding careers education throughout the learner journey, integrating employer engagement, curriculum planning, learner support, progression pathways and quality improvement in line with the Gatsby Benchmarks and matrix Standard to enhance learner achievements, outcomes, career progression and positive high-level destinations.
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Evidence the impact of high-quality CEIAG by using learner, employer, destination and progression data to demonstrate strong or exceptional practice against the Gatsby Benchmarks, the matrix Standard and the Ofsted Further Education and Skills Operating Guidance Inspection Toolkit, supporting governance oversight, inspection readiness and continuous quality improvement.
Who Should Attend?
This webinar is designed for all FES and HEI providers (including ITPs, HEIs, employer providers and colleges), apprenticeships, adult learning, Academies and NHS Trusts and 16-19 provision and is suitable for the following roles:
- CEIAG senior leaders
- CEAIG advisers
- CEIAG managers and leads
- Curriculum managers
- Quality managers
- Learner support
- Recruitment, marketing and onboarding managers/leads
- Lead practitioners
- Lead curriculum staff
- Lead IQAs and senior assessors
Agenda
10:00 – 10:05
Welcome, introductions and webinar objectives
- Welcome and introductions
- Learning objectives and webinar overview
10.05-10.35am
Developing an Outstanding CEIAG Strategy-the journey to exceptional strategy and practice
Creating an organisation-wide approach to CEIAG
Why CEIAG is a strategic priority for 2026/27 and the changing policy landscap
- Strategic leadership, governance and accountability
- The updated Gatsby Benchmarks in practice
- Aligning the Gatsby Benchmarks, the matrix Standard and the Ofsted Toolkit
- Developing a whole-organisation CEIAG strategy
- Roles and responsibilities across leadership, curriculum and support teams
- Creating an inclusive CEIAG offer for the FES sector:
10.35-11.05
Section 2: Evidencing Impact, Quality and Continuous Improvement
Demonstrating exceptional CEIAG practice
- Evidencing impact through the Ofsted Toolkit
- Meeting the matrix Standard requirements
- Using learner, employer, destination and progression data
- Learner and employer voice
- Governance reporting and strategic oversight
- Self-assessment and quality improvement planning
- Top tips for inspection readiness and continuous improvement
11.05-11.15
The provider's voice and perspective
Turning strategy into everyday practice
- Embedding CEIAG across the curriculum
- Employer engagement and meaningful encounters
- Personal development and career management skills
- Progress reviews and careers conversations
- Supporting progression to employment, apprenticeships, higher education and further learning
- Inclusive careers guidance for all learner groups
- Practical examples of embedding CEIAG into practice
11.15-11.20am
Summary and Top Tips
11:20 – 11:30 Key takeaways, questions and close
Questions, Key Messages
- Top ten takeaways for 2026/27
- Questions and discussion
- Useful resources and next steps
Facilitator
Maureen Deary, FE Inspector
Maureen is a current practising further education inspector. She inspects and provides consultancy support across all FE and Skills and HEI provision and a wide range of sector areas sectors. She works with a range of colleges, prime and sub-contractor/partner training provider organisations and is a consultant and adviser in quality development support and improvement work and has supported organisations for over thirty years in the state, private, schools, further and higher education sectors. . She has lived and worked overseas in the education sector and has held representative sports coaching posts to national level. Maureen has worked for a number of awarding bodies approving new centres, developing qualifications, acting as a Chief and Centre Approvals Verifier/Moderator and Principal Examiner and QCF qualification designer, whilst living in the UK and in Hong Kong and Asia.
Guest Speaker
Ian Smith, FES Consultancy, Inspector, Former Ofsted Senior HMI and Consultant.
Ian Smith is a qualified teacher. He is a former Ofsted Senior Her Majesty’s Inspector and has 20 years recent experience in inspection, having worked as a senior manager for the Adult Learning Inspectorate and then moving to Ofsted. He gained extensive senior management experience as a senior leader in a general further education college and holds a degree level management qualification and a Postgraduate Award in Inspection and Evaluation. Ian has wide experience spanning over 35 years in all aspects of further education and skills and across provider types. Ian has managed a national quality improvement service and has experience of managing education programmes for young people, apprenticeships, community learning and adult skills provisions. He has carried out international work in quality improvement. Currently Ian is working as a consultant and advisor in the Further Education sector.
Guest Speaker
Sue Gomer, Quality Director, Logistica Training & Consultancy
Quality Director at Logistica Training & Consultancy, an experienced senior leader within adult education and apprenticeships. Responsible for Ofsted, Matrix and DFE quality compliance.
Guest Speaker
Roger Chapman, Head of Service Delivery and matrix Standards, The Growth Company
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Fees
Member Rate £89.00 + VAT
Non Member Rate £139.00 + VAT
To pay via credit card, please contact our Accounts Team at:
Phone: 0117 947 2095
Email: [email protected]
If you are unable to pay via credit card, we will automatically raise an invoice and send it to you. Once your invoice has been paid, you will receive the confirmation email containing the Zoom joining link.
If you register but are unable to attend, we will send you a copy of the recording after the webinar has taken place.
Excellence in CEIAG Strategy, Leadership and Practice Across Post-16 Education
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