As a parent or carer you know your child better than anyone else. You want the best for them and your support and guidance is crucial to help them work out which options to take both now and later when they make other career decisions.

There are several ways you can help your son or daughter with their career planning:

• encourage them to think about their options for Year 10 and relate them to possible courses and careers in the future
• attend parents' evenings, options evenings and other events
• encourage your child to use the Connexions library at school or at your local Connexions centre to find out more about jobs, training, further and higher education
• ask the school to tell you about their careers education programme and how this will help your child prepare to choose their options.

But remember it's still their decision

Connexions know how important you are in influencing your son or daughter's decisions. We want to work with you to help your child. We offer:

• free, impartial, independent advice and guidance from our professionally qualified staff
• opportunities to discuss your child's career plans at parents' evenings, options evenings and at Connexions centres
• expert help if your child has additional needs
• accurate, up-to-date information, including extensive knowledge of further and higher education, employment and training, and labour market trends.

Parents and Carers is a magazine and website that gives lots of information and advice about year 9 choices and beyond. You can view all the information online.

Your son or daughter will continue to receive help from Connexions through their Personal Adviser in Years 10 and 11. Help will also be available when they leave school and college or are looking for jobs and training or further or higher education.

If you would like to know about the services available, please contact your local Connexions Centre. Contact details are available here: www.connexions-southlondon.org.uk