Supporting your daughter as a parent or carer

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As a parent or carer, you are one of the most important influences in your child’s life and play a key role in supporting them as they think about their future, explore possible pathways and make significant decisions.

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At school, we provide a comprehensive Careers Programme that includes education, information, advice and guidance. Our Careers Resources page also signposts students to a wide range of online information and support. However, research shows that when young people seek careers advice, parents are often their first point of contact.

Some young people have a clear idea of the route they would like to take, while others need more time to explore and reflect. You can support your child by:

 

• Starting conversations about the future early.

• Focusing on developing skills and behaviours rather than specific job titles.

• Talking together about their interests, aspirations and what they find rewarding.

• Being open‑minded, positive and encouraging.

• Discussing the careers‑related experiences they have had at school, including lessons, visits, tutor time, citizenship and assemblies.

• Being patient, as ideas and ambitions may evolve over time.

• Remembering that, ultimately, decisions about future pathways belong to your child.

 

We recognise that it can sometimes be difficult to know where to begin. Our Top Five Tips to help start meaningful conversations are:

 

• Explore your child’s interests, skills, strengths and values, and encourage them to write these down.

• Talk about what they enjoy — and do not enjoy — in different school subjects.

• Help them link skills to interests by completing the Unifrog Personality and Interests Quizzes or the National Careers Service Skills Assessment.

• Encourage them to explore at least three possible job roles using the Unifrog Careers Library or National Careers Service Job Profiles.

• Share your own career experiences, as well as those of other family members, to provide real‑world insight.

 

There are many organisations that offer guidance and support to parents at every stage of a young person’s career journey — from choosing options in Year 8 or 9, through post‑16 pathways, to higher education, apprenticeships and funding opportunities.