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National Careers Service changes from October 2026

On 1 October 2026, the National Careers Service in England changed. Free careers advice for adults is now given by careers advisers working for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), through its new Jobs and Careers Service and in Jobcentres.

What changed

  • Who gives advice. Careers advice for adults is now given by DWP careers advisers. The government says around 500 qualified careers advisers now work through Jobcentres in England.
  • The website has a new name. The National Careers Service website is now called “Get careers information and advice”. Its address hasn’t changed, so old links still work.
  • Some ways of getting in touch have stopped. You can no longer use webchat, email, ask for a callback, or send post.
  • Face-to-face advice moved to Jobcentres. On 6 October 2026 the government said appointments in Jobcentres would start later that month. Check with your Jobcentre.

How to get careers advice now

If you’re 18 or over and live in England:

  • Phone: call 0800 072 0288 to speak to a DWP careers adviser. Lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, and closed on bank holidays. Calls are free from landlines and most mobiles.
  • Online: the careers advice help page explains how to contact a DWP careers adviser through the Jobs and Careers Service.
  • In person: ask your local Jobcentre about face-to-face careers appointments, which are due to start in October 2026.

You don’t need to claim benefits to get help. Advisers give more in-depth support to people who face bigger barriers to work or learning, such as disabled people and young people not in education, employment or training.

If you’re under 18 and in school, college or training, speak to the careers adviser there.

The online tools are still there

The website still has free tools to help you plan:

  • Explore careers, with job profiles that show the qualifications needed, salary and progression
  • Take a skills assessment, which asks about your interests to suggest sectors that might suit you
  • Find a course, to search for courses near you

What this means if you’re looking for a course

Careers advisers can help you work out which course or qualification fits your goals. Our site can then help you understand the funding and check if you’re likely to be eligible. Read about free careers advice for adults, or see all funding for adult courses.

Questions

Is careers advice still free?
Yes. It's free for everyone, whether or not you claim benefits.
Do I have to go to the Jobcentre?
No. You can phone a careers adviser on 0800 072 0288, or use the online tools. Face-to-face appointments in Jobcentres are due to start in October 2026, so check with your Jobcentre.
Can I still email or webchat the National Careers Service?
No. Webchat, email, callback requests and post ended when the service changed. Phone the DWP careers advice line instead.
I live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Does this affect me?
No. These changes are for England only. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own careers services: [My World of Work](https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/) in Scotland, [Careers Wales](https://careerswales.gov.wales/) and the [Northern Ireland Careers Service](https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/careers).

Sources

Last reviewed:

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