1:1 Video Guidance
This is our experience of online guidance in one school in Lincolnshire, with mainly 6th form students. This was set up as a trial of the process to see if this was a useful way of continuing to support schools and students whilst not being able to attend in person
The interviews were arranged by the careers lead in the school with their students in their own homes. She arranged 6 interviews based on the school timetable. Students were sent a link by the careers lead so that they were secure and no personal contact information was given out.
This was the first time that my colleague and I had undertaken this, so we were not sure what to expect. Some concerns we had were around the use of the technology itself, could we be recorded, would the internet work properly so that we could build up a rapport with the students online.
As the students were at home we did not have control over where they were situated for the interview and whether anyone else was in the room listening. It became clear that some students were not only in their bedrooms but were in bed and this did therefore make us uncomfortable. In one interview a parent seemed to be there as well, and the adviser felt that she needed to challenge this, and it was agreed that she would talk to the parent after the interview.
Another issue was one of data protection and how we could get access to information on the students and their grades etc, prior to the interview and this is still something that we need to consider for the future.
Overall, we felt that after our initial worries the interviews went well and we were able to build rapport with the students. We think we will become more confident with the process as we practice it. It taught us that an agreement on working practices as we have with school for face to face interviews will be essential. This would be agreed with the school and student prior to interview and these would be easier to agree if the student was in school rather than at home, although not impossible.
Subsequently the CDI have produced a paper on video guidance which does give clarity on what is expected for this to take place safely for the school, student and practitioner.
I feel that in conclusion video guidance can be a continuing useful tool for students unable to return to education, home schooled or in alternative provision. It could be used for students in school where career advisers are not able to go one site for face to face guidance. It is something that became easier with practice and confidence in the technology being used and I would urge institutions to consider this, as necessary.
Julie Reynolds