Helpline goes live to offer Scots pupils help with SQA results
A dedicated helpline will open tomorrow (Tuesday, 6 August 2024) to support almost 145,000 Scottish pupils and students set to receive their full Higher, National and Advanced results.
The young people - along with their parents and carers - will be able to get support with their results through Skills Development Scotland’s (SDS) dedicated Results Helpline that will be offering impartial career information, advice, and guidance.
The SDS Results Helpline will once again be staffed by expert careers advisers and will be live from 8am on Tuesday, 6 August to assist anybody that needs help with their options and next steps.
The number for the 2024 Results Helpline is 0808 100 8000 and will be open:
Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 August - 8am to 8pm
Thursday 8 and Friday 9 August – 9am to 5pm
The team of qualified advisers from Scotland’s national skills agency will be at the end of the phone line to offer advice about colleges and universities, UCAS Confirmation and Clearing, apprenticeships, jobs and other training, volunteering, or staying on at school.
Minister for Higher and Further Education, Graeme Dey visited the SDS Glasgow careers centre in George Square to meet with some of SDS’s trained advisers poised to take calls to the Results Helpline.
The Minister also met with Louise Davidson-Clyne and SDS careers adviser Maxine Scott. Maxine supported Louise to get into her dream photography course when the 18 year old called the Results Helpline last year.
Former West Calder High pupil Louise struggled at school because of dyslexia and wasn’t expecting top grades from S6 exams.
Louise said: “I found school hard and didn’t think I would do well in my exams so, I wasn’t disappointed with my results, I just didn’t know where to go next with the qualifications I had. I decided to call the Results Helpline to understand my options.”
Louise, from Mid-Calder, was connected to helpline adviser Maxine. Louise said: “Maxine asked me all the right questions. We talked about my qualifications, what I was interested in and what didn’t interest me.
“Maxine was able to show me that I still had opportunities with the results I had achieved. I didn’t think I would be able to get into a photography course but she was able to help me see that I had the skills and ability to apply.”
Louise was successful in her application to the Edinburgh College photography course, which she started last September, and is excited to be working towards her dream career.
Louise said: “I am 100 percent glad that I called the helpline and spoke to Maxine, otherwise, I’m really not sure what I’d be doing today.”
Graeme Dey Minister for Higher and Further Education said: “This is an important time for many across the country and I want to commend everyone who has worked really hard during the exam period and are now getting their results.
“I know that results day can be overwhelming for some pupils, parents and carers. For young people there are options out there for you whatever your results may be. The helpline is here to support you allowing you to speak directly with someone who can offer impartial, expert advice on your options.
“Speaking to Louise and Maxine I can really see the difference the helpline can make. Anyone with concerns, no matter how small, should take the chance to follow Louise’s example and phone the careers experts if they need advice or reassurance. Meeting the staff running the helpline I know the expertise and compassion they bring to this important service.”
The SDS Results Helpline has been going for 32 years and has helped tens of thousands of young Scots. There’s also an SDS careers adviser linked to every secondary school in Scotland, with almost a quarter of a million school pupils from P7 to S6 receiving careers information, advice and guidance each year*.
Dave McCallum, Head of Career Information, Advice and Guidance Operations at SDS said: “Our message for young people and their parents and carers as their results arrive is not to panic. Everything might seem overwhelming right now but remember that this is just one step on your journey.
“Our experienced advisers are here to provide expert support and guidance, offering information on a wide range of options and opportunities. Whether you didn’t receive the results you were hoping for, or exceeded your expectations, we are here to help you navigate the next steps and the make the best decisions for your future.”
Parents' organisation Connect promotes the Results Helpline every year to parents, carers and young people as a great source of information and support.
Gavin Yates, Connect's Executive Director, said: “Each year we encourage parents, carers and young people to use the Results Helpline. There are opportunities for everyone, whatever their results are. With the support of the Results Helpline team, families can navigate these to explore all options.”
In addition to the dedicated SDS Results Helpline, young people and their parents or carers can also speak to an SDS adviser at a SDS centre or community venue (find out what’s close to you here), visit Scotland’s career information and advice website, My World of Work, or speak to directly to an SDS school-based careers adviser for year-round support.
*Based on latest annual data of SDS CIAG engagements with Primary 7 to Secondary 6 school pupils in Scotland during academic year June 2022 – March 2023
Read Louise's story
Louise talks about her experience of the SDS Results Helpline.