NGS has been involved in the delivery of information,
advice and guidance to adults since 1996. Originally the
work was delivered by Norfolk Careers Services as part of
their all age guidance service, linked to a variety of funding
routes.
In 1999 specific national funding became available to allow
the development of specialist services.
Norfolk Careers Services bid for and won the contract for
the delivery of these services.
With the subsequent development of the national Connexions service for young people, Norfolk
Careers Services created a dedicated adult unit to continue to deliver adult guidance.
When Norfolk Careers Services merged with Connexions in 2003 the adult unit, now re-named
Norfolk Guidance Service, joined Norfolk County Council. In February 2005 NGS became part
of the Cultural Services Department within the Council.
NGS is entirely funded by external funding bodies such as the Learning and Skills Council (LSC),
accessing project funding through bidding for fixed term contracts. NGS currently has 16 full and
part time staff, which includes managers, advisers and support staff.
Our largest current contract is for the delivery of the ‘Nextstep’ service across the county, this
provides free information and advice about learning and work to adults aged 20 plus, focussing
on those with few formal qualifications.
Nextstep is delivered by a team of advisers employed by NGS.
A key element of ‘Nextstep’, which has contributed to the success of this contract
over the last five years, has been the wider network that we facilitate for all IAG providers and
organisations that interface with clients requiring IAG.
This wide network of over 900 individuals from over 500 organisations ensures that Nextstep
and IAG in general, is kept high on people’s agendas.
For further information, please contact us at: ngs@norfolk.gov.uk