The Governments careers strategy, published on 4 December 2017, sets out a long term plan to build a world class careers system that will help young people and adults choose the career that is right for them.  This statutory guidance has been updated to expand on the aim set out in the strategy to make sure that all young people in secondary school get a programme of advice and guidance this is stable, structured and delivered by individuals with the right skills and experience. To achieve this aim, the careers strategy sets out that every school and academy providing secondary education should use the Gatsby Charitable Foundations Benchmarks to develop and improve their careers provision

- "DfE Statutory Guidance October 2018"

The above statutory guidance clearly outlines how schools should be working with students to provide a career programme from years 7-14, the Gatsby Benchmarks provide a framework in which to guide schools on the delivery of this programme. The government’s expectation is that schools meet these benchmarks by the end of 2020.