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 is now the most widely used Career Guidance Programme in the country.

REACH+ has been developed by and for Guidance Counsellors in Ireland and continues to be developed based on direct feedback and input from the guidance community.

REACH+ is designed to be engaging – it includes questionnaires, inventories, action plans, assignments and supporting videos. The Programme is divided into five main areas in the workbook spanning the requirements of most school guidance programmes.

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 workbook and many additional exercises on-line.

REACH+ is an integrated programme. It uses classroom-based learning through student workbooks, 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 workbook
• Where IT facilities allow it, REACH+ can be run entirely online
• Or, using the workbook 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 workbooks and online tools are utilised. The programme is activity based – learning by doing. It encourages class interaction, co-operative learning and reactive thinking.

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 workbook 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.

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

6. New for 2016/17

Customise your online programme for student groups
Our advisory group asked for the option for Guidance Counsellors to be able to tailor the students Career File to include only those Apps appropriate to their programme. So TY students, for example, can access a different set of Apps to LC students, or even LCVP students. This facility will be optional for those wishing to use it.

New student online Appointments Diary and Calendar
Users will now be able to manage their appointments diary and calendar online

End-of-year student reports
Students and GCs will now be able to print a summary of the key portfolio items undertaken.

7. REACH+ Training

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 support for REACH+ is always available during normal working hours.

8. REACH+ 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 workbook 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 who are using iPads/Tablets and do not require the workbook. Licence-only purchases come in the form of an A4 leaflet imprinted with the access code, for you to distribute 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 simply telephone us on 01-4402314, email us at info@careersportal.ie or fill in an order form [available below] and send it back to us. Should you require a quotation to raise a Purchase Order number this can be supplied by request.

Click here for an Order Form

When purchased directly from CareersPortal, REACH+ workbooks 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 GC 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.

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.

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

Download Programme Brochure here