REACH+ is a comprehensive career and college preparation programme from CareersPortal.ie, spanning TY through to 6th year, with some Guidance Counsellors even starting the programme in 3^rd year. It also supports the TY, LCA and LCVP programmes and can be customised for each year group.

REACH+ is now the most widely used Career Guidance Programme in the country. It has been devised by and for Guidance Counsellors in Ireland, and continues to be developed based on direct feedback and input from the guidance community.

1. Career Planning and Research
2. Self-Assessment
3. Study Performance
4. World of Education
5. World of Work

Most topics have corresponding lesson plans and exercises developed by Guidance Counsellors, to assist in delivering the programme. There are 67 exercises in the handbook and many additional exercises on-line.

REACH+ is an integrated programme. It uses classroom-based learning through student handbooks, combined with web-based learning through the dedicated REACH+ area within the CareersPortal website. Whether you have access to a computer room or not, the programme works well in all settings.

• In a classroom setting, the REACH+ programme can be run successfully using a whiteboard and the handbook
• Where IT facilities allow it, REACH+ can be run entirely online
• Or, using the handbook in a standard classroom setting, where students complete the online work at home or on their smart phones / tablets.

Optimal use of the programme is realised when both the handbook and online tools are utilised. The programme is activity based – learning by doing. It encourages class interaction, co-operative learning and reactive thinking.

3. Students Career File On-line

Students are encouraged to record their progress on-line throughout the programme, and information stored online is accessible to their Guidance Counsellors. A students’ progress over a range of topics can be easily monitored and tracked, and reports can be viewed or printed as required.

Below is a screen shot of a standard on-line Student Career File. You can see that it mirrors the handbook and is divided into the same five main areas.

4. LCVP and TY Modules

The LCVP modules have also been incorporated in the World of Work section. The careers investigation and diary of work experience for TY programmes are also integrated.

As a student works through the REACH+ programme they have the opportunity of tagging courses they are interested in both at Higher and Further Education levels and these can then be used to inform their Course Choices in 6^th year.

An innovative part of the REACH+ Programme is the Guidance Administration. Guidance Professionals have access to a complete online administration tool from where they can manage their REACH+ programme. Through this area, they are provided with a wide range of resource materials to assist in the delivery of the programme, including Programme Plans for 4^th, 5^th and 6^th year, Lesson Plans, PowerPoint presentations and videos. This private area is only available to Guidance Counsellors and is accessed by a login and password.

Below is an example of the Guidance Administration Screen available in Reach:

6. New Developments

Customised online programme for different student groups
In response to requests from Guidance Counsellors, the online programme has been enhanced by the inclusion of a facility enabling administrators to tailor the Student Career File to include only those Apps appropriate to their particular school programme. So TY students, for example, can access a different set of Apps to LC students, or even LCVP students. This optional facility is now live for those wishing to use it.

New student online Appointments Diary and Calendar
Administrators can now manage their appointments diary and calendar online. If a Guidance Counsellor activates this feature, students can request a meeting through their REACH+ file, without having to visit the Guidance Counsellor's office to make the request.

New CourseFinder
A new CourseFinder was launched in 2017. It is now possible, from one screen, to view and search all course possibilities: CAO; PLC and Further Education & Training courses. All course choices can be tagged and added to the student's career file.

New Guidance Professional Area
This new area provides easy access to useful career resources, information and self-assessment tools for use in guidance practice. Menu items contain specific information for guidance counsellors working in second-level, further and higher education, and in private practice.

Developments for September 2017
We are currently working on a number of new developments for 2017 including New Whiteboard Presentations which will be available for each REACH+ topic in both English and Irish.

7. REACH+ Training and User Support

CareersPortal provide training in the use of REACH+ on an annual basis in schools and educational centres around the country. Training dates are posted in the Guidance Professionals area of the CareersPortal.ie website and are also available in the Guidance Counsellors Administration area of REACH+.
Telephone and e-mail support for REACH+ is always available during normal working hours.

*Galway, Sligo and Kildare training sessions are running over the coming weeks. Check the website here for details or call us on 01-209-0797.*

8. REACH+ Guidance Website

As part of the REACH+ programme we have designed a website template for Guidance Counsellors which can be easily personalised to be used for guidance information with your own school website. This Guidance Website which is readily available to students and parents can be quickly and easily updated from within the administration area. It is now possible to avail of the REACH+ Website facility as a stand-alone facility. Contact us for details.
Below is an example of a live REACH+ website (with thanks to E. Uí Chatháin, Abbey Community College, Waterford).

9. REACH+ Testimonials

What Guidance Counsellors using REACH+ say about it ...

“I have been using REACH+ for the past 4/5 years with all senior cycle students.

Using REACH+ has transformed the delivery of guidance in the classroom for me. Beginning with Transition Year students, the programme provides a great opportunity to introduce students to Career Interest Assessments, subject choice information, general career information and using the CAO and PLC routes as entry into colleges. The website is very user friendly with information at your fingertips.

Apps like the Guidance Interview, Exam Targets and Self-Assessment are particularly useful when meeting with the students for individual guidance. The ease of access to student information helps to maximize the time spent with them. The guidance noticeboard with daily postings of upcoming events, college notices and career updates keep students abreast with information essential to the career process they are engaged with.

I cannot underestimate the benefits of using REACH+. As I said at the outset, using REACH+ has transformed the delivery of guidance in the classroom for me and I cannot imagine functioning as a guidance counsellor without it. I would highly recommend to anyone who is looking for an all in one guidance resource.

Marjorie Aherne Guidance Counsellor – Scoil Mhuire – Ennistymon – Co Clare

To see what other Guidance Counsellors have to say about the programme check out this link

10. REACH+ Order and Purchase Process

The REACH+ programme comes in the form of a handbook imprinted with a licence code. Students register to careersportal.ie and input their code. Their REACH+ student account is then valid for the duration their senior cycle and can be accessed from any device, anywhere.

A licence only version of REACH+ is available for those schools using iPads/Tablets and do not require the book. Licence-only purchases come in the form of an A4 leaflet imprinted with the access code, for distribution to students. These include full registration instructions and access is valid for the duration of senior cycle.

Ordering

The REACH+ programme can be ordered directly from CareersPortal. To place an order:

• Telephone us on 01 - 209 0797
• Email us at info@careersportal.ie or
• Fill in an order form [available here] and send it back to us.

Should you require a quotation to raise a Purchase Order (P.O.) number this can be supplied on request.

Direct Purchase
When purchased directly from CareersPortal, REACH+ handbooks will be delivered directly to your school, together with a complimentary Teacher Copy for Guidance Counsellors who are new to the programme. Administration access will also be given at this stage and the Guidance Counsellor will be set-up up with a demo student account on REACH+ so that he/she can experience the programme from the student’s perspective.

Bookshops

It is also possible to order REACH+ directly from a school bookshop. This works out a little more expensive for the student but can be organised. If you would prefer this option, simply contact the CareersPortal office with details of your school bookshop. You can then put REACH+ on your school booklist in advance of the summer holiday break.

To purchase REACH+ through your local bookshop, please contact us directly on 01-2090797 to discuss the necessary arrangements.

For additional information on the programme please do not hesitate to contact us on 01 - 209 0797 or 01- 440 2314 or you can email the office directly at info@careersportal.ie

Download Programme Brochure here