More than one in four parents (28 per cent) are not fully aware of the options and services available to their children once they leave education, according to research by government information site Directgov.

Almost half (45 per cent) of young people turn to their parents as first port of call for advice about their options but nine out of 10 parents (89 per cent) worry about being able to provide the right advice and guidance to their children during this time.

Confused school leavers and parents should go to What’s Next, the new online resource on the site, said Maxine McKenzie, head of citizen communications at Directgov.

"By having accurate and up-to-date information on all of the different options available to education leavers at every stage from GCSE, A-level and graduates, we hope to help people know about all of the different routes out there so they can choose the path they want to," she said.

The site is a joint initiative between the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

It brings together a range of topics relevant to young people looking at their options after finishing education in one place with information on jobs, work experience, internships, higher and further education options, vocational training, and financial support available.