Policy expert calls for positive change

Press release issued: 18 September 2009



Mohammad Haroon, Deputy Director of the Supporting Children & Young People Group from the Department for Children, Schools and Families with Vice Chancellor Professor Michael Thorne
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Government official tells head teachers and principals that young need more guidance to help them to achieve their dreams

Anglia Ruskin University has staged a lecture by Mohammad Haroon who leads on developing Young Peoples' Information Advice and Guidance (IAG) Policy in England, including policy on the Connexions Service. He is the Deputy Director of the Supporting Children & Young People Group from the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

The lecture at Rivermead campus was entitled Information, Advice and Guidance: Enabling Success. It was attended by head teachers and principals from Essex who came to find out more about the Information, Advice and Guidance programme and why it is helping to enable young people to succeed.

The lecture made a compelling case for IAG and how effective IAG can be the key link between the aspirations of young people and attainment. It provided a clear vision of how young person focussed IAG can raise aspirations and broaden horizons to the benefit of each individual, the school or college and the economy.

Commenting on the evening, Anglia Ruskin University's Vice Chancellor Professor Michael Thorne said:

"This subject area is key to the development and success of young people from Essex and the message is that they need more guidance and support. With the right motivation and direction, these young people can achieve so much more than they think. Whether they embark on training or further or higher education, they are likely to aspire to achieve more and this is why they need good and timely advice."

Mohammad Haroon developed policy for England's regions including Government Offices and Regeneration for the Department of Education and Skills, where he delivered a network of Directors of Children and Learners and Children and Learner Groups in each Government Office. He has led a comprehensive change programme which has reformed the way DCSF business is delivered in Government Offices.

It is has now been officially recognised that world-leading research is being carried out at Anglia Ruskin University.

In the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008, more than 30% of Anglia Ruskin's submissions were rated as Internationally Excellent or World-Leading. Among the academic disciplines now rated World-Leading are Allied Health Professions & Studies; Art & Design; English Language & Literature; Geography & Environmental Studies; History; Music; Psychology; and Social Work & Social Policy & Administration.

The University jumped 35 places in the Times Higher Education tables following the announcement of the outcome of the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) results.
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