What is a Connexions Personal Adviser?

• A Connexions Personal Adviser is someone who can help you. They are qualified to offer help and support on things that concern you as a young person. They are there to encourage and support you in making successful progress as you move on to adult life.

• You can talk one to one to a Personal Adviser about:

  Education * Work * Training * Careers * Benefits * Drugs * Equality of Opportunity * Health * Housing * Leisure * Money Matters * Relationships * Sex and Sexuality * The Law

Who are Connexions Personal Advisers for?

• Every teenager has access to a Personal Adviser. If you are 13-19 you can see a Personal Adviser about anything that concerns you.

What can a Connexions Personal Adviser do for me?

• Your Personal Adviser will listen to you.

• Personal Advisers will help you find your way towards adult life. They can help you if you have to deal with things that are stopping you from moving on and developing your potential.

• They can help you get the best information, advice and support on a variety of issues.

• They can help you make decisions about education, career and training choices.

• They can help and support you on health, lifestyle, housing, financial support and other personal issues.

• They can offer information on personal development opportunities such as volunteering or helping in the community.

• Personal Advisers have access to a support network through a whole range of organisations that work with Connexions to help young people. These organisations include Youth Service, Schools, Voluntary and Community Groups, Education Welfare Service, Training Providers, Youth Offending Team, Health Services, Police, Local Eduction Authorities, Learning & Skills Council and Employers  

 If I talk to a Connexions Personal Adviser will they tell anyone else?

• When you talk to a Personal Adviser everything you say will be confidential. That means information about you or anything you have said will not be passed on to other people without your permission. This includes parents or carers, teachers and other organisations.

• However, in very special situations information may be shared with other organisations, for example for Child Protection when a young person is being abused and needs special help. If information is shared in this way, you will be told why.

• The Connexions West of England Young People's Charter is an agreement about what you can expect from Connexions West of England. It has been developed with young people.

• Click here to look at the Connexions West of England Young People's Charter.

What information does Connexions keep about me? 

• To make sure that you get accurate and up to date information on education, training and employment opportunities, and other services you  may need, we keep basic information so that we can get in touch when you need us to. Connexions West of England has a code of practice that covers how this information is collected, recorded and shared. This is always discussed with you, and is not shared with other organisations without seeking your agreement (unless you are in danger). If you would like more information on this, please let us know.

Where can I find a Connexions Personal Adviser?

• We want to make sure Connexions Personal Advisers are easily accessible for you. Personal Advisers are in schools and colleges and also in the community in places like youth centres.

• You can drop in to our Connexions Centres where you will find lots of useful information. They are in Bath, centre of Bristol, Filton, Kingswood and Weston Super Mare.

  Click here to see the Centre opening times and maps.