Jen Hortop

About Me

I am a qualified careers adviser and assessor, specialising in supporting young people and their families make decisions about the transition from secondary school into early adulthood. I trained in a secondary school and quickly became the go-to careers adviser in the school for the SEND cohort. I am passionate about equal opportunities for all and firmly believe that young people should be supported to explore careers paths and determine for themselves what is accessible and achievable for them. Since then I have worked with 15 to 25 year olds who are NEET or at risk or becomming NEET, and most recently have begun working with those with autism and significant mental health difficulties, including self harm and eating disorders. My lived experience gives me insight into the struggles of families with an autistic young person as they navigate the transition into adulthood. There are many important decisions to make about their education pathways and I can help with this as well as exploring what life as an adult will look like for them. My approach recognises that families of those with SEND sometimes need to be more involved with decision making. My aim is to create a space in which young people can explore their own thoughts and to give them the tools to communicate their aspirations clearly to those who will be supporting them with their ongoing journey. By supporting them in this way, they are empowered to create a realistic plan to reach their potential.