Exam Results Support for Young People in Scotland

In early August over 148,000 young people received their Qualifications Scotland exam results

In the days following, dedicated and impartial support was on hand from Skills Development Scotland (SDS)’s Results Helpline advisers to help young people and their parents and carers understand their results and their options.

As careers adviser and Helpline member Lesley Niven explains, the support and guidance doesn't stop after the Results Helpline. The national career service is available to everyone in Scotland, at any stage of their life.

How can SDS help my young person?

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is the national career service and has careers advisers in every state secondary school in Scotland, as well as in SDS centres and community venues across the country.

Advisers like me deliver group learning sessions, drop-ins, and one-to-one career guidance appointments. Starting from P7/S1 transitions and continuing at every important stage including preparation for option choices, exams and wider achievements, and guidance when it comes time to leave school - our expert advisers are on hand for pupils throughout their time at school.

Our support is designed to help pupils understand and explore all their options and build their career management skills. These are the key skills to help people make ongoing career decisions as the world of work and learning continues to change.

Are these services for everyone?

We are here for everyone, at any age and at any stage of their career journey - and all SDS services are free to use.

How can SDS help those who are leaving school – can they still access support?

Your young person’s school careers adviser can support with lots of key moments during school. By encouraging them to explore their options, this allows them to make confident decisions about their next steps. After leaving school, SDS support extends into the community where we have advisers working to support people in SDS centres and community venues in every local authority area in Scotland. We can help with career choices and changes, training opportunities, further and higher education options, CVs and interviews, and much more.

We understand meeting new people can feel overwhelming sometimes. If your young person is apprehensive to attend on their own, you could even come with them.

I’m worried about my young person – can you help parents and carers?

It is completely natural to be concerned about your loved one’s future, but information, advice and guidance from SDS’s expert careers advisers is on hand to help guide you both through. In addition to our school and community-based in-person services, we also have a freephone helpline (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on 0800 917 8000), as well as information on Scotland’s career website, My World of Work. There’s a dedicated area for parents and carers there, as well as a school leaver toolkit for those leaving school and still unsure of their next steps.

I can’t get to a centre – is there any other way to access this support?

SDS has a freephone helpline (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on 0800 917 8000), as well as having lots of helpful information and advice on Scotland’s career website, My World of Work, as well as career inspiration on the My World of Work social media channels.