Distance Travelled

Year of Action

Youth WorkContribution

to Policy Initiatives

Improving Outcomesand EngagingYoung People

Workforce Supportand Development

VolunteerAction Plan

Improving Recognitionof the Role of the

Youth Work Sector

Youth Work Sector:Distance Travelled 2007-2011

INTRODUCTION TO ‘DISTANCE TRAVELLED’

This publication proves beyond doubt thewillingness and ability of the youth worksector to be proactive in bringing aboutthe changes necessary to meet thepersonal and social development needsof young people in Scotland.

In the two years leading up to thepublication of “Moving Forward”,Scotland’s first ever youth work strategy,the sector examined itself critically andchallenged its very reason for being. Thisresulted in the production of TheStatement on the Nature and Purpose ofYouth Work, which was endorsed by allparts of the sector, welcomed bygovernment and embraced by otherfunding bodies in the years that followed.

The Statement is the key documentwhich explains the unique selling pointsof the sector, its ability to attract youngpeople from across society, includingthose for whom traditional routes intoeducation, training or employment don’twork and the way it engages youngpeople in the process. It offers positiveoptions based on a philosophy ofpartnership and joint working.

The endorsement of The Year of Actionby the new incoming government in May2007 gave the sector a new impetus andsense of purpose. In reviewing thedistance travelled it has become clearthat over the past four years the sectorhas risen to the challenge and achievedmuch more than the outcomes set out inthe youth strategy.

In 2007 the key challenge was to improvethe recognition of the value and role ofthe sector in developing and delivery keygovernment priorities and strategies. Thesector has been critical in the change ofapproach to youth justice, educationprogrammes and tackling the issuesfacing those underachieving withinmainstream education provision. This canbe seen by the sentiments expressed inthe Christie Commission, 16+ ActivityAgreements and Senior PhaseCurriculum for Excellence. The ‘DistanceTravelled’ publication clearlydemonstrates the increased engagementof the sector in policy development andservice delivery.

The sector recently collated case studiesdemonstrating the contribution youthwork is making in delivering the NationalOutcomes. We want to ensure that this isknown and understood by those in powerat national and local levels.

The sector is confident that it offersincredible value for money and that theevidence gathered in this document willhelp to demonstrate what youth work hasachieved in the past four years and kick-start the debate about the future.

The sector is determined to engageyoung people in new and exciting ways,to help them improve their resilience andfeelings of self worth and to support theirdevelopment as positive and activecontributors to future success of Scotland

With a newly elected majority governmentand massive change in terms of parlia-mentarians it is time to re-examine, restateand re-affirm the considerable role youthwork can play in improving the life chancesof young people throughout Scotland.

Jim SweeneyChief Executive, YouthLink Scotland

Improveoutcomesforyoungpeopleandyouthengagement.

Examples…•Evaluationdemonstratedthattargetsweremetand

youthworkorganisationsskilledatleveragingadditionalmatchfundingtomakethemoneygofurther.

•Peerassessmentmodeldevelopedandadoptedasgoodpracticebyothernationalfundingpotse.g.CashBackforCommunities.

•Fundraisingresourcesandtrainingdeveloped.

IncreaserecognitionoftheYouthWorksectorandwiderpolicyimpact.

BoostyouthworkthroughYearofAction2007/8.

Examples…•2007NewScottishGovernmentendorsesstrategy

andin2009produces‘ValuingYoungPeople’.•YouthLinkScotlandrecognisedasNationalAgency

forYouthWorkanditsmembersrepresentsectoracrossportfoliosandpolicyareas.

•Nationalco-ordinatorsappointedtodriveforwardyouthworkimprintonCurriculumforExcellence,MoreChoices,MoreChancesand16+.

Examples…•Capitalandprojectfundingboost£8million(£5mon

capital).•Additional£1.5mbetween2008-12tosupport

voluntaryorganisations.•Informationandsupporttoaccessfundingand

partnerships.

Examples…•YoungScotWOWdatabaselaunched2008and

20,000opportunitiessignposted.•LA'sthroughcommunityplanningpartnerships

improveresponsivenesstoyoungpeople'sneeds.•ScottishYouthParliamentdeliveredpilot

programmetodevelopmoreeffectiveschoolpupilcouncils.

•YouthworkprovidersparticipatedinAllDifferent,AllEqualinitiative2007/8.

Examples…•Recentcasestudiesdemonstrateimpactofyouth

workacross14ofthe15nationaloutcomes•Youthworkmakingapolicyimprintonjustice,

education,health,employment,andvolunteering.•Youthworkincreasinglybecomingembeddedin

educationandemployabilitypolicyinitiatives.

Examples…•Youngpeoplehavebetterqualityandimproved

accesstoinformationonyouthworkactivities.•HMIehighlightgoodpracticeandsignificant

contributionofyouthworkto‘LearningCommunities’.

•Youngpeoplemoreempoweredtoinfluencedecisionmaking.

•Youngpeoplehaveimprovedaccesstospecialistyouthworkservicesanduniversalservicesarebetteratinclusion.

YOUTHWORKSTRATEGYSTATEMENT

ACTIONS&DEVELOPMENTIMPACT

Enhance Workforce Development andSupport

Beyond the strategy…

Examples…• Better recognition of challenges in volunteer

recruitment and the volunteer cycle.• Partnership approach to working with volunteers

and establishment of Voluntary Sector TrainingForum.

• Increased partnership working and awarenessbetween uniformed organisations.

• Volunteers and those supporting volunteers betterinformed with a suite of resources.

• Achievement of young people participating in YouthWork Awards is recognised.

Improve support to volunteers throughVolunteer Action Plan

Examples…• CLD Standards Council established 2008.• National Seminar on Youth Work Training 2009

leading to the development of training networks.• Professional Development Award in Youth Work

established 2010.• Introduction of National Youth Worker of the Year

Awards 2008.• Three series of seminars 2008-11 focussed on

outcomes and self-evaluation with HMIe, ESS,YouthLink Scotland, SCDC, Scottish Governmentand local providers.

• Development of Volunteer Action Plan as below.

Examples…• 10 strand Volunteer Action Plan established in 2008,

implemented by Youth Scotland in partnership withYouthLink Scotland and Volunteer DevelopmentScotland.

• Development of Managing Together (supported byNational Voluntary Organisations Support Fund) forvolunteers involved in management and governancein uniformed organisations.

• Resources Bank for volunteers including publications:Growing Better Youth Work, No Limits and RaisingYour Game.

• Development of Awards Network and resources.

Examples:• Impact of Concordat and Single Outcome

Agreements (SOA’s) on work with children andyoung people assessed by Children’s Policy OfficerNetwork.

• CashBack for Communities Funding 2009-11 –National Funding amounting to £5.5m.

• No Knives-Better Lives initiative to tackle knife-crimeand £0.5m through CashBack for Communities Anti-Violence Fund, 2010/11.

• International Youth Work – extra support throughEuropean Voluntary Service and Youth In ActionProgramme.

Examples…• Developments have brought coherence to sector’s

workforce identity and planning of professionaldevelopment.

• Improved networking between local and nationalpartners in workforce development.

• New qualifications developments increase therange and scope of training opportunities in youthwork.

• Increased national recognition of the role of theyouth worker.

• Increased competence in evaluation reflected inHMIe reports leading to better service delivery.

Examples…• Used positively to influence SOA’s but not

consistent throughout Scotland.• Peer assessment model being adopted as good

practice – 150+ volunteer assessors trained inassessment and evaluation tool.

• Direct impact of community safety funding throughyouth work activities in local communities.

• Increase in awareness of and support for youthworkers and young Scots in accessing Europeanexchange opportunities.

The value, unique nature and contribution ofyouth work to be recognised in a broad policycontext, contributing to achieving wide-rangingpositive outcomes for young people.

Improving Recognition of the Role of The Youth Work Sector

Scottish Executive to promote a betterunderstanding of youth work across theministerial and policy areas.

New Scottish Government (2007) (SG) endorsedstrategy and its commitments.

YouthLink Scotland (YLS) recognised as theNational Agency for Youth Work in Scotland.

YLS and or its members invited to represent theYouth Work Sector on a range of working groups,policy reviews and management groups.

Valuing Young People – A Scottish Governmentdocument outlining the principles andconnections to support young people achievetheir potential.

Youth work has influenced a range of policydevelopment areas including:

• Anti-social behaviour• Anti-sectarianism• Preventing Offending Framework• CfE(management and delivery)• MCMC• Activity Agreements• PVG• Knife Crime• Community Safety• Commonwealth Games Legacy• CLD Standards Council• LLUK• Volunteering Round Table

Responding to consultations and giving evidenceto enquiries such as post 16 education, alcoholand life long learning.

Youth work methodology has been adopted bynational initiatives and resources have beenaccessed from funds such as CashBack forCommunities.

Over 50 case studies examining the impact ofyouth work on Scottish Government NationalOutcomes collated in 2011. Case studiesOutcome 1, with 25% contributing to Outcome 4(CfE) and 20% demonstrating multiple outcomeresults.

Desired Outcome – ImproveRecognition of the Role of the

Youth Work Sector

Proposed Action Action and Developments Impacts

Youthgroupsandorganisationstobeabletobidforcapitalgrantswhichwillenablethemtodirectlyenhanceopportunitiesandoutcomesforyoungpeoplewhousetheirfacilities.

Localprovidersworkingtogethertobeabletoaccessadditionalfundingtohelpaddressgapsinprovisionandprovidemoreyouthworkopportunities.

NationalOrganisationstobeabletoprovidethebestpossibletrainingopportunitiesforlocalvolunteers,toimprovethesupportgivenbythemindeliveringhighqualityoutcomesfortheyoungpeopletheyworkwithandtoenhanceandexpandthesustainabilityoftheirworkinlocalareas.

Localnetworksandyouthworkproviderstohaveclearaccessibleinformationonfundingopportunitiesandcriteriacharitabletrusts.

YearofAction

£5mtosetupaYouthWorkFacilitiesImprovementFundaspartofyearofactionfunds.

£2.5mtosetupYouthOpportunitiesFundtoprovidegrantstolocalgroupsandpartnershipsaspartofyearofactionfunds.

Aspartofyearofactionfunds£0.5mallocatedtoaVoluntaryOrganisationSupportFundtohelpnationalvoluntaryorganisationsachievethedesiredoutcomeincludinglocalcampaignsandattractingnewvolunteers.

CharitabletrustsforyoungpeopleinScotlandtocollaboratewithYouthLinkScotlandandYoungScotincreatingandmaintainingasectionoftheirwebsiteswhichprovideuptodateinformationandapplicationadvice.

£5mdistributedin2007/08.

£2.5mdistributedin2007/08.

£0.5mdistributedin2007/08.

Budgetcommittedtocontinuefundingfortwoyears.

£1mdistributedin2008/10and£0.5min2011/12.

FundingdirectoryonYLSwebsiteestablishedandregularlyreviewed.Newfundingopportunitiesprovidedwithinfortnightlyyouthworkbriefingaswellasenteredintodirectory.Interactivesessionsatyouthworkconferences.

FundingandFundraisingtoolkitdevelopedbyYouthBankScotland

Allyearofactionfundsassessedanddistributedusingapeerassessmentmodelinvolvingvolunteersfromthesector.SeesectionOtherDevelopments.

686organisationsreceivedYearofActionGrants.Casestudiesfromacrossthefundsindicatedallrecipientsachievingtargetsandmanyreportedthatthegrantshadenabledthemtoattractadditionalfunding.

Anexternalevaluationofvoluntaryorganisationsupportfundin2010demonstratedhighreturnforinvestmentsupportingvolunteerrecruitment,trainingandsupport.Therewasanincreaseinrecruitmentandretentionofvolunteers.Supportmaterialsweredevelopedandsharedbetweenorganisations.

YoungScotAcademyfundedthroughtheSupportFundisanexampleoftrainingdevelopedanddeliveredforyoungvolunteersandyouthworkers.

Youngpeoplehaveaccesstohighqualityinformationtosupportthemtomakeinformedchoicesanddecisions.

FundingsectionofYLSwebsiterecordshighestnumberofhitsofallpages.

FundingandFundraisingtoolkitcirculatedandavailabletosectorandothers.

DesiredOutcome–YearofActionProposedActionActionandDevelopmentsImpacts

Young people to benefit from all youth workersadopting the principles of the Getting It Right forEvery Child (GIRFEC) and Not in Education,Employment or Training (NEET) agendas, and foryouth workers to be supported by theiremployers and by YouthLink Scotland to workeffectively with other professionals.

Young people to be able to access informationon youth work opportunities at school and forschools to fully understand and appreciate theunique role and methods of youth work and thebenefits and achievements young people gainthrough youth work opportunities.

Youth Work Contribution to Policy Initiatives

All local authorities to involve youth workers indeveloping and delivery the GIRFEC and NEETagendas in their local Area.

YouthLink Scotland to encourage youth work tohelp develop GIRFEC proposals in their local areaand to work with local authorities and thevoluntary sector to cover the GIRFEC agenda inthe training programmes, newsletters andinformation to youth workers and memberorganisations.

Scottish Executive and LTS to jointly fund a twoyear youth work coordinator post to work withschools and the youth work sector to increasemutual understanding and highlight goodpractice. Also promote the benefits of theGIRFEC approach, CfE, the recognition ofinformal learning and qualifications and widerNEET preventative strategies.

Progression from NEET to More Choices, MoreChances. Development of Senior Phase as partof CfE.

Engagement of the sector through input tomember’s network and sharing of informationand evaluation of GIRFEC on YLS website.

National Co-ordinator appointed to support pilotphase.

Co-ordinator appointed with youth work sectorinvolved in national development programme atstrategic management and practical levels.Sector involvement in CfE Advisory andCommunications Groups. Participating in theADES/SG CfE department grouping.

Sector involvement in the ADES lead officersgroup.

Youth Work and Schools sub group (YW&S) ofYLS policy forum set up to work in parallel withand support national development programme.

Youth Work and Schools booklet produced tosupport understanding of the sector. Revised2010.

Youth Work Sector recognised in some 16+Activity Agreement pilot as lead services andincreased involvement and recognition of youthwork throughout the pilots.

Youth work organisations publications nowdemonstrate sector contribution to CfE.

Profile and value of the sector raised with SG,Skills Development Scotland, Further Educationand other sector providers.

Pilot phase involving 10 local authority areassupported and evaluated. Programme beingrolled out across all 32 local authorities.

Youth Work and Schools seminar 2009 topromote work of national developmentprogramme and engage the sector. Connectionsmade between school and youth work providers.

Youth Work Sector presence and input to theScottish Learning Festival each year since 2009.

Bridging the Gap report produced with case studies,and road-shows delivered in partnership withschools and youth work sector throughout Scotlandto engage school and youth work providers.

Youth Work and School Partnership group withextended representation from across theeducation sector established (2010). Frameworkfor action to maintain engagement.

Launch of new Youth Work and Schools documentfocussing on Youth Work and Experiences andOutcomes at the 2011 Scottish Learning Festival.

Desired Outcome – Youth WorkContribution to Policy Initiatives


Formoreyoungpeopletobeawareof,andtakeadvantageof,theavailabilityofmoreyouthworkactivitiesandtobenefitfromincreasedopportunitiesavailable.

Voluntaryorganisationsheadquarterssupportedthroughunifiedfundtohavestablefundingwhichresultsinincreasedabilitytoplananddeliverbetteroutcomesforyoungpeoplelocally.

Localauthoritiestodeliverpositiveoutcomesforindividualyoungpeopleandcommunities.

ImprovingOutcomesforYoungPeople

YoungScottoensurethenewYouthOpportunitiesDatabaseprovidesexcellentlocalinformationforyoungpeopleonyouthworkopportunities,casestudiesanduser-friendlyinformationforyoungpeoplewhoareatriskorhaveparticularproblemsorneeds.

Longertermfundingarrangementsfororganisa-tionswhosuccessfullydelivertheoutcomesagreedforthesupporttheyreceiveandcandemonstratethehigheststandardofmonitoringandevaluation.

Localoutcomesagreementswiththeviewtodeveloppathfinderswithfourlocalauthoritiesthrough2007/08.Monitoritseffectiveness.

HMIeinspectionsofCLDinlocalareasasmeansofimprovingqualityyouthworkandidentifyinganddisseminatinggoodpractice.Inclusionofyouthworkwithinfutureinspectionsofservicesforchildrenandyoungpeople.

Resourcestostartupactivitiesavailablethroughyearofactionyouthopportunitiesfund.(SeesectionYearofAction).

YoungScotWOW(What’sonWhere)launchedbythenMinisterforChildren&YoungPeople,AdamIngram,inMarch2008.

Approx2,000newopportunitieswerepublisheddirectlyonWOWlastyearandaccesstoanadditional20,000+opportunitiesisprovidedthroughongoingpartnershipswithVolunteerDevelopmentScotlandandSkillsDevelopmentScotland.

AllCashBackforCommunitiesopportunitiesareavailableonWOW,providingyoungpeoplewithinformationonhowtoaccessfreeopportunitiesintheirlocalareas.

Threeyearfundingcycleincommitmentin2007.Additionalyearagreedatsamelevelatpreviousagreements2010.

Communityplanningpilotscompletedaspartofyearofactiongrantsupport.

GoodpracticeboxesinHMIereportsandreplicatedonYLSwebsiteandotherpublications.

Youthworkprovision(CLDandVoluntarySector)includinginLearningCommunityinspections.

HMIeinspectionsfocusonrecognitionofallformsoflearningandaccreditation.

Youngpeoplecanaccesshighqualityinformationonopportunitiesavailabletothemlocally,includingfreeopportunitiesprovidedviaCashBackforCommunities.

Confidenceinstablefundingplatformforthefirstthreeyearsenabledmanyorganisationsinthesectortosecureotherfundingtosupportprogrammedevelopment.

FullcycleofnationalorganisationreviewscompletedbyHMIeonsamebasisasCLDprovisioninlocalauthoritiestoensurehighestqualitysupportandbestpracticeshared.

HMIereportLearninginScotland’sCommunitiesoutlinesthecontributionmadebyyouthworksectorandsitesseveralcasestudiesinrelationsightingbestpractice.

ValuingYoungPeopleandrevampedWorkingandLearningTogetherapprovedandendorsedbythesectorandCOSLA.

DesiredOutcome–ImprovingOutcomesforYoungPeople

ProposedActionActionandDevelopmentsImpacts

Improve provision in local areas by giving youthwork providers more opportunities to network,train, share expertise and work together toidentify and fill gaps in provision for youngpeople.

All young people to be more empowered ininfluencing decisions affecting their lives andthose of their communities. For them to becomeaware of the SYP role in supporting them to dothis and have their views taken into account.

Improving Outcomes for Young People

YouthLink Scotland as part of their workprogramme to pilot local and specialist networks.

Engaging young people through schools,teachers and youth workers.

Empowering young people by helping to buildtheir capacity to influence their school or localcommunity and generally on matters of concernto them.

Training network established.

One-off seminars on issues such as detachedyouth work and social networking.

Seminars and materials delivered and producedby Young Scot to deliver key messages on howYoung Scot services and activities can supportCommunity Planning Partnership work withyoung people.

Scottish Youth Commission on Alcohol launchedin March 2009 at request of Scottish Government.With 16 Youth Commissioners recruited toinvestigate Scotland’s relationship with alcoholand develop innovative recommendations forculture and policy change.

Young Scot, Access All Areas project saw 254young people from 22 minority groups acrossScotland trained and supported to build theircapacity to sensitise local services in theircommunities and feedback their findings to localCommunity Planning structures.

Over 40 schools participated in the Picture theChange consultation to develop the 2011 Youthmanifesto.

Detached Youth Work conference concluded thatthere was no appetite for regular networkmeetings and virtual network was set up.Following reports and document sharing tools,practice and evidence.

38 recommendations for cultural and policychange identified and presented to Minister forPublic Health in March 2010, with manyimplemented or part of influence for action.

6,265 young people responding to theconsultation and contributed to the developmentof the manifesto reflecting a morecomprehensive view of the interests andconcerns of young people in Scotland.

Desired Outcome – ImprovingOutcomes for Young People



EnsuringMSYP’sareawareoftheirresponsibilitiesinrepresentingotheryoungpeopleandengageactivelytoensuretheviewstheyputforwardaregenuinelyrepresentative.

IncreasingsignificantlythenumbersofyoungpeopleconsultedwhendeterminingtheirpolicydirectionandmakingthecaseforpolicychangestoGovernmentandotherdecision-makers.

Electionsin2011wererunonthebasisthatanypersonaged14-25wereabledtostandiftheysowished.

YoungScot,theScottishYouthParliamentandLocalAuthoritypartnerscarriedouteVotingtosupporttheScottishYouthParliamentelectionsinMarch2011.

PartnershipwithlocalauthoritiestosupportlocalMSYP’shasbeenachallenge;progresshasbeenachievedwith29outofthe32localauthoritiestakingpartintheunifiedvotingsysteminMarch2011.

14NationalSittingssince2007hasbroughttogetherMSYP’sfromacrossScotlandand20membersmotionshavebeendebatedsince2008.

SYPdeliveredpilotprogrammetodevelopmoreeffectivepupilcouncilsandcreatedresourcestosupportthisactivity(V3).

SYPhasdevelopedSQAaccreditedtrainingforallMSYP’stosupporttheirdevelopmentandprovidethemwithaqualificationthathasbeencreditrated.

2007and2011consultationswereheldtodeterminemanifestoprioritiesforSYP.

SYPhasrespondedto35consultationsbyScottishandUKGovernments.

21,274votesoutofthe84,940castweredoneusingthee-votingplatformprovidingahighquality,easytoadministernationalplatformlinkedtotheYoungScotNationalEntitlementCard.Thisprovidesaplatformforfutureelectionsandvoteswhichrequireremoteaccess.

AwarenessofSYPandtheroleofMSYP’shasbeensignificantlyraisedwith84,940votescastbyyoungpeople.Thisrepresentsa124%increasesince2009.

Member’smotionsisamethodofbringinglocalissuestothenationalstage.IncreasedawarenessinlocalareasoftheroleofSYPandMSYP’s.

Toolkitwillbedisseminatedlate2011.

Thetrainingenablestheyoungpeopletoarticulatetheiroutofschoollearningagainstanationalframeworkthatisunderstoodbyeducationprovidersandemployers.

Consultationresponsestodevelopingthemanifestoincreasedfrom6,000in2007to42,804in2011.

Thisyouth-ledprocesshasensuredabetterunderstandingbyyoungpeopleandpolicymakers.

DesiredOutcome–EngagingYoungPeople


All young people to be able to access highquality, up-to-date information on issues ofinterest to them and opportunities open to them,in a variety of formats.

More young people to be aware of, and takeadvantage of, youth work activities and benefitfrom the increased opportunities available.


Data base to be made available to all youngpeople.

Continue to fund the Scottish Peer EducationNetwork (SPEN) as a core element of the workprogramme delivered by Fast Forward.

Young Scot Says Who? Consultation Toolkitdeveloped to support consultation work withyoung people.

See section on improving outcomes for youngpeople.

The National Youth Information Frameworkdeveloped by Young Scot in partnership withScottish Libraries and Information Council.

Young Scot continues to provide support to localauthorities to develop local information contentvia the national youth information portal(www.youngscot.org), information handbooks,pod casts and social media.

New website developed to support young peoplewho are making the transition to independentliving (Young Scot Extra) and provide specialised,tailored information for this age group, with aparticular focus on MCMC young people.

Recruitment of new members nationally,supporting new peer education projects andproviding training and consultation support toexisting members.

Established partnership with Learning andTeaching Scotland (LTS) to design and deliverworkshops for CLD workers on Peer EducationLinks with CfE.

Young people were consulted on a wide range ofissues by Scottish Government and otherorganisations, including in-depth investigationsinto the National Conversation, CommonwealthGames Youth Legacy, 16+ Learning Choicesand climate change.

See Section on improving outcomes for youngpeople.

All organisations providing information to youngpeople can use the Framework to evaluate theirpractice and ensure they are providing a highquality, relevant and accessible youth informationservice.

All 32 local authorities providing young peoplewith high quality information in a range offormats.

Young people aged 16+ able to access highquality information relevant to their needs.

Increased range and reach of young people’speer education projects across Scotland withestablished national infrastructure.

Evaluation demonstrated strong outcomes forparticipants. Strategic partnership in placebetween LTS and SPEN.

Desired Outcome – EngagingYoung People


Youngpeoplewhoachieveawardsthroughparticipationinyouthworktoknow,thatthevalueandnatureoftheirawardsarerecognisedbyemployersandothers.

Increaseemployerunderstandingofthebenefitsofyouthworkandwithmoresupportthroughtheircorporateresponsibilityprogrammes.

Youngpeoplefromanyminoritygrouptofeelincludedandsupportedinanyyouthworkactivityorfacilityandfortheyouthworksectortobecompletelyfreefromdiscriminationorexclusion.


SupportongoingworktoensurebenchmarkingofappropriatelearningqualificationsagainsttheSCQF.

Workwithemployers’representativestoincreaseemployers’understandingofskillsyoungpeopleacquirethroughinvolvementinyouthwork.

Holdeventforemployerstoshowcaseyouthworkopportunitiesandskillstoemployers.

ThroughLearningConnectionwewillworkwithyouthworkersandothersinCLDsectortodevelopawarenessandunderstandinguseofSCQF.

YouthLinkScotlandtooffertrainingandopportunitiestosharegoodpracticeonhowgroupscandeliveropportunitieswhichappealtominoritygroupsandmeettheirneeds.Thisshouldalsocovethehandlingofissuesanddiscussionsrelatedtoethics,moralsequalityandfaithissueswhichmightbeariseinworkingwithyoungpeopleinayouthworkcontext.

Developedonlinepresenceviafacebook,twitterandwebsitetocreateeaseofinformationtransfer.

LinkingSPENwithEuropeanPeerTrainingOrganisation(EPTO)andconferenceinBelgium.

TheAwardsNetworkandAmazingThingsdocumentwasdevelopedbyYouthScotlandinpartnershipwithYouuthLinkScotlandaspartoftheVolunteerActionPlan.

YLS,YoungScotandotherYLSmembersparticipatedintheAllDifferent,AllEqualinitiative(ADAE).

ImprovedprovisiontovulnerableyoungpeoplethroughtheYouthOpportunitiesFund.

Interactivenewsletterhasincreasedengagementofyoungpeopleandpractitionersandimprovedtheirsocialmediaskills.

EstablishSPENinEuropeancontext.Recog-nitionofScottishpeereducationworkwithotherEuropeanpeereducationorganisations.

DevelopmentoftrainingresourcesforallyoungpeopleacrossEurope.

AmazingThings2hasnowbeenfollowedupbyAmazingThings3.

Greaterunderstandingandrecognitionofthenon-formallearningachievementsofyoungpeopleinandoutofschool.

InputsattheScottishLearningFestivalhaveraisedtheprofileoftheawardsalongwiththejointworkbetweenLTSandYouthScotland.

YouthWorkSectororganisationsarespecialisinginsupportingyoungpeoplewithadditionalneedsthroughdisability,faithorotherissuessharingexperienceandexpertisetoimprovethegeneralservicesthroughoutthesector.

DesiredOutcome–InformationforYoungPeople



Young Scot to ensure the information theyprovide covers issues of particular concern toyoung people from minority groups.

Support to organisations which specifically workto support young people affected by, or at riskfrom, alcohol and drugs misuse.

Work with organisations which deal specificallywith young people from minority groups todiscuss how best to make befriending andmentoring support available for these youngpeople.

Initiatives to include monitoring and evaluation asintegral part of the work.

Interactive workshops focussed on equalitiesdelivered by members who are best placed toshare good practice. (LGBT Youth Scotland,GARA. Fast Forward, The Yard and RNIB(Haggeye Project).

Young Scot has developed an Equality Scheme,including Equality Impact Assessments and Allinclusion audits, which involve working withminority groups to support them to audit andassess their information services and ensurethey are covering their information needs.

Youth Alcohol Commission to inform governmentpolicy development.

Review of on and off-line materials.

Continuation of support to the peer educationnetwork and Scottish Mentoring Network.

See section on Workforce Support andDevelopment.

ADAE resources distributed on memory stick atADAE event and online via YLS website.

Experience and expertise sharing at nationalconferences and specialist seminars includingthe Scottish Learning Festival as part of theYouth Work Village.

Young people from all equality strands haveaudited Young Scot’s information provision toensure it is relevant and accessible.

Views of young people reflected in the policydevelopment and young people encouraged andsupported to express their views.

See Section on Information for Young People.

Desired Outcome – Informationfor Young People


ImprovedopportunitiesofyoungpeopledeliveredbyyouthworkersabletobenefitfromexcellentopportunitiesforCPDandcareerprogression.Forvolunteerswhochoosetoregister,anopportunitytogainrecognitionfortheirskillsandexperience.

WorkforceSupportandDevelopment

ThenewCLDStandardsCouncilrecognisesandprovidesuniqueskillsandqualitiesrequiredofyouthworkersandvolunteers.Throughitsworkencouragesmorepeopletochooseyouthworkastheirprofessionorasavolunteeringoption.

CLDStandardsCouncilestablished2008.

ThesectorhasbeenactivelyinvolvedinthedevelopmentoftheworkoftheStandardsCouncilatalllevelsofitsoperation.

TheStandardsCouncilhasengagedwiththesectorthroughvariousgroupingstohearitsviews.

Developmentsinclude:•CPDStrategyforCLD•CodeofEthicsforCLD•YouthWorkCommentaryonEthics•Draftmodelofvoluntaryregistration•Approvalsprocessesupdate

NationalSeminaronyouthworktraining2009andKaleidoscopeofYouthWorkTrainingreportinpartnershipwithLLUK,SQA,CLDStandardsCouncil.

SQAdevelopedanewqualification:theProfessionalDevelopmentAwardinYouthinresponsetodemandfromthesector.

Developmentshavebroughtcoherencetothesector’sworkforceidentityandplanningofprofessionaldevelopment.

100%ofparticipantsevaluatedguidanceonyouthworktrainingasuseful.Kaleidoscopehasgivenus:“aclearsenseofdirectionwewanttotakeonyouthworktraining”

12pilotsofthenewnationalintroductoryqualificationforyouthworkersacrossScotland.Increasingprovision,accessibilityandtransferabilityacrossthesector.

DesiredOutcome–WorkforceSupport&Development


All youth workers and those supporting them tounderstand the importance of evaluation indelivering the best outcomes for young peopleand best value for money. To be able to accesshigh quality materials, guidance and training onsetting and evaluating outcomes. Fundingapplications and business plans should becomemore outcome focussed, with positive impactson quality and effectiveness of opportunitiesoffered to young people.

Community Education graduates entering theyouth work profession to be equipped to meetthe challenges of youth work today.

Workforce Support and Development

HMIe and Evaluation Scotland along with otherexperts in evaluation to scope current resourcesand offer advice and training on a range of toolsfor people involved in the youth work sector.

Discuss with the Scottish Funding Councils,providers and the CLD Standards Council howbest to ensure the priorities set out in thisstrategy in developing and delivering degree levelprovision for current and prospectiveprofessional youth workers.

Baking the Evaluation Cake Seminars delivered in2008 in partnership with YLS, EvaluationScotland and HMIe.

In partnership with YLS Avante Consulting andthe Scottish Community Development Centre aworkshop session on Outcome focussedpractice was delivered to all 32 communitylearning and development partnerships.

Four ‘Mythbuster’ seminars delivered inpartnership with YLS, LTS, HMIe and sectororganisation in four locations in Scotland in2010/11.

Engagement with training providers about preand post initial training including joint trainingwith teachers as part of the youth work andschools agenda.

Introduction of the Youth Worker of the YearAwards to celebrate and share the success ofyouth work in Scotland.

Practitioners signposted to a range of tools,advice and support. Support networksestablished.

CLD partnerships developed a greaterunderstanding of outcome focussed approach.

Over 150 practitioners and mangers participatedin the seminars, evaluation indicates that theparticipants valued the sessions and theirknowledge and understanding of evaluation andcontinuous improvement had increase to thepoint where it would impact their servicedelivery.

New introductory courses introduced, e.g. PDAin Youth Work.

Undergraduate courses moving to honoursdegree status.

Establishment of the Ted Milburn Scholarship tosupport students from diverse backgrounds.

Campaign to maintain a West of Scotland CLDcourse. Strathclyde University now in discussionwith West of Scotland following extensivepressure from the sector.

Awards recognise all levels of the workforcefrom peer input from young people through tomanagers of voluntary organisations and localauthority services.

Desired Outcome – WorkforceSupport & Development


Volunteerswhofeelvaluedandsupportedintherolestheychoosetotakeon;andhaveaccesstotrainingandsupporttheyneed.

WorkforceSupportandDevelopment

DevelopaspecificActionPlanforVolunteeringintheyouthworksector.

ExploreinterfacebetweenyouthworkstrategyandtheStrategyforaScotlandwithanAgeingPopulation.

UseofYearofActionFundtosupportrecruitment,trainingandsupportofvolunteers.

WorkwithvoluntaryorganisationstoensureclearinformationisavailableondisclosurechecksandthenewarrangementsundertheProtectionofVulnerableGroups(Scotland)Bill.

YouthWorkerAwardsnowitfourthyearandanestablishedpartoftheyouthworkcalendar.

VolunteerActionPlan–ledbyYouthScotlandandinpartnershipwithYLSandVDS–seesectiononVolunteerActionPlan.

YouthworksectorhasbecomeactivelyinvolvedintheCentreofIntergenerationalPractice.

Theyearofactionfundingdemonstratedtheneedandledtothreeyearfundingbeingsecured.

Volunteeringorganisationscametogetherin2009andsetuptheVolunteeringRoundTabletolookatsharedissues.

BriefingdocumentsdevelopedanddistributedasBillprogressedandmovedtoimplementationstage.

Recognitionofvalueofyouthworkatlocalandnationallevels.

Opportunityforlocaleventstocelebratecontributiontonationaloutcomes.

NewpartnershipsformedthroughsponsorsandSGdepartments.

FundingsecuredtorunsixintergenerationalpilotsacrossScotlandandreportproduced.YLSavaluedpartnerinGenerationsWorkingTogether.

SeesectiononYearofAction.

ShapingthefuturereportpresentedtoSGwithfundingsecuredtotakeissuesforward.Cross-directoratemeetinginSGwithfocusonvolunteering.

SeesectiononVolunteeringActionPlan.

DesiredOutcome–WorkforceSupport&Development


Volunteers to feel valued and recognised for thecommitment they make to young people’s lives.

Youth work organisations to understand therequirements of legislation and feel supported inmeeting their obligations.

Volunteer Action Plan

Source Volunteer Management Tools and bestpractice.

Develop a proactive recruitment resource.

Advice on what training is available regardinglegislative responsibilities.

Youth Scotland ran four café consultations inpartnership with national voluntary youthorganisations and three local authority partners.

Publication of (Growing Better Youth Work – aguide to strengthen volunteer teams) wasresearch and produced.

Youth Scotland’s volunteer action plansearchable Resource Bank website developed.(see references)

Youth Work Essentials website developed as aone stop shop for youth workers and volunteersto develop quality and inclusive programmes foryoung people.

Sector ownership of the process and outputs.

Recognition of the volunteer cycle.

Four channels of information and resources:

• Up and Running – guide to safe youth workpractice including funding, managementcommittees and programming leading toimproved management and better quality ofprogrammes.

• Safe and Sound – guide to safe youth workpractice incorporating child protectionpolices improving practice and safety ofyoung people and workers.

• Law at Work – sample contracts ofemployment, employee handbook andguidance on equality legislation to supportcompliance.

• Outcomes and Evaluation – toolkit with casestudies and examples of setting outcomes,analysing results and reporting.

Other resource developments:

• Getting started – a web-base guide for newclubs and groups

• Disclosure Fact Sheet• PVG Fact Sheet

Improved information to ensure betterunderstanding of process and obligations.

Desired Outcome – VolunteerAction Plan


Volunteerstofeelequippedandconfidentintheirroles,allowingthemtoimprovetheirperformance.

Increasenumberofyoungpeoplesupportedtodevelopfrombeingserviceuserstovolunteers.

VolunteerActionPlan

Tolinkuporganisationsgeographicallyorthematicallytoprovideaccesstoresourcesandtraining.

Todevelopayouthdevelopmentmodelandoffertrainingevents.

Encourageorganisationstorecogniseyoungpeoplefortheirvolunteeringaccreditedwherepossible.

ThreeSupporttheTrainerworkshopswereorganisedthroughEvaluationScotlandalongwithposteventmentoringto16participants.

YouthScotlandworkingwithLAYCandJewelandEskCollegeranapilotofthePDAinyouthworkcoursewithtailoreddeliverymaterialsforcommunitybaseddelivery.

YouthScotland’sRaisingYourGame–aselfassessmenttoolkittohelplocalyouthgroupsandorganisationstoassesstheactionsnecessarytoimprovetheperformanceoftheirorganisationwasresearchandproduced.

NoLimits–volunteeringasamodelofyouthdevelopmentwasresearchedandpublished.

EstablishmentofAwardsNetworktobringtogetherinformationonaccreditation/recognitionfromwithintheyouthworksector.FacilitatedbyYouthScotlandtherearecurrently18provideroffering24awards.

Atrainingmoduleandtoolkitnowavailableon–setting,measuring,analysingandreportingoutcomesinvolunteer-ledyouthwork.

ThenationalPDAinyouthworkofferedbyrangeofprovidersandasnationallyrecognisedandlevelcourse.

Feedbackfromyouthgroupsandnationalyouthorganisationshasbeenpositive.

SportsScotlandhasshowninterestinadaptingRaisingYourGametosupporttheirvolunteeringstrategyfortheirnewcommunityhubs.

Recognitionofyouthworkasavehicleforyouthdevelopmentanditsvaluetoyoungpeople.

Awardsnetworkmeetsatleastthreetimesayearsandcontinuestorefinethedocumentsdescribingthevariousawardsandaccreditationprocess.

Almost15,000copiesofAmazingThings1&2havebeendistributedbyYouthScotlandandtheyouthworksector.

Awardsconferencewithover100delegatesand18awardsrepresented.RecognitionofroleofawardsbyinputfromBernardMcLeary,ChiefExecutiveLTS.

AmazingThings3isindevelopment.

Awardswebsitecompletedin2011andlaunchedatBuildingtheCurriculum5GuidanceNotesevent.

DesiredOutcome–VolunteerActionPlan


Volunteers to be trained and confident operatingin management positions within youthorganisations.

Volunteers to understand their role in providingpositive outcomes for young people.

Volunteer and organisations to learn from eachother and feel supported in their role.

Volunteer Action Plan

Identify the skills required for volunteers whocarry out management duties and providingguidance for organisations in support ofvolunteering.

Youth Scotland was commissioned by the CLDStandards Council to carry out a consultationwith youth work volunteers about the skills andknowledge they need to carry out their rolewithin CLD, and how they can be supported anddeveloped to do this. 187 youth work volunteersparticipated.

Develop a ‘mentoring’ model resource thatorganisations can adopt to support theirvolunteers.

Pilot mentoring scheme for smaller organisationsbeing supported by the skills and experience oflarger organisations.

Evalution Support Scotland and Evaluation andProfessional Development Services undertook areview of the Awards Network, the website andthe publications.

Supporting the Managing Together projectfunded by the National Support Fund anddeveloped by the four national uniformedorganisations.

Youth Scotland currently developing corevolunteer induction framework and training forsmall volunteer led groups.

Youth Scotland currently working to develop athree and six hour training module for youthworkers working with young volunteers.

Pilot training in latter part of this year.

Adapt materials and provide peer mentoringtraining module and pack for adults.

Training sessions have been delivered at nationalthe conference outlining the role of the awardsnetwork, the individual awards and the AmazingThings document to increase awareness of thesector, schools and employers.

The review confirmed that Amazing Things israising awareness and changing behaviouramongst youth work practitioners in relation tothe awards.

Taking forward the lessons learnt and running apilot to assess the feasibility of transference ofprogramme.

Law at work guidance (see previous section).

Employee volunteering – a short scopingexercise to look at employee volunteering withinyouth work.

The factors that influence how training can besuccessful accessed by volunteers and a wayforward for developing training and support foryouth work volunteers were identified.

.

Desired Outcome – VolunteerAction Plan


RaisingAwarenessandProfile.

VolunteerActionPlan

PostcardCampaignSuiteofthreepublications:GrowingBetterYouthWork;NoLimitsandAmazingThings.Launchmaterialsandsharingpractice.

Postcarddistributedthroughoutthesectortopromoteworkandpublications.

LaunchofmaterialsatjointVOCOG/CLDmanagersevent.

SharingofpracticewithVOVOGasongoingagendaitemincludingannualconference.

Showcaseevents,conferencesandnationaleventsincludingtheScottishLearningFestival,YouthLinkScotlandandCLDMangersConferences.

VoluntarySectorTrainingForumhasbeendevelopedasaresultofthiswork.

DesiredOutcome–VolunteerActionPlan


Concordat/Single Outcome Agreements.

Community Safety.

Other Developments

Monitor and review impact of Single OutcomeAgreements on the sector.

Letters to all councillors in Scotland outliningvalue of youth work.

Increased in number of opportunities to engageyoung people in a youth work opportunities.

Projects to support the policy actions in relationto the reduction in knife crime and injuries toyoung people.

Children’s Policy Officer network undertook ananalysis of all 32 SIO’s.

Leaflet for COSLA Conference 2011

Cashback for Communities – four rounds ofNational Funding with 748 awards totalling£5.43m.

CashBack for Communities Small GrantsScheme – During 2010/11, the scheme,specifically aimed at volunteer-led organisations,awarded over £233,000 to 252 projects.

No Knives, Better Lives – National Co-ordinatorappointed

Some positive example of how sector was ableto influence SOI’s but not consistent throughoutScotland.Follow-up by councillors and council leadersencouraging.

Peer assessment model accepted as a goodpractice funding model.

Over 150 volunteer assessors trained on usingevaluation tool.

748 opportunities for young people to beengaged in positive activities within their localarea.

Case studies showing impact of youth work foryoung people and the communities in which theylive.

118 volunteers and youth leaders attendedtraining seminars with 90% of attendees leavingthe seminars feeling prepared to submit anapplication.

12000 young people accessed an exciting rangeof acitivies in settings where they felt safe andcomfortable.

Anti-Violence Fund 24 awards totalling £0.5m in2010/11. All projects now started.

Beyond the Strategy… Proposed Action Action and Developments Impacts

InternationalYouthWork.

YouthBankScotland.

CommonwealthGamesanditsLegacy(2014).

VolunteeringRoundTable.

OtherDevelopments

ImprovedaccesstoEuropeanFunding.

ImprovedaccesstovolunteeringopportunitiesinEuropeforScottishYoungPeople.

PartnershipwithYouthBanktosecurethreyearsfundingtodevelopopportunitiesinScotland.

Ensureunderstandingandengagementoftheyouthworksectorandyoungpeopleinthedevelopingthelegacyandparticipationinthevolunteeringopportunitiesofferedbythegames.

Trainingtoimprovesector’sabilitytoattractEuropeanFunding.

EVSprogrammeadministeredbyYoungScot.

PartnershipandFundingsecured.Programmeevaluated.

407youngpeopleengagedincommunitydevelopmentactivities.235receiveaccreditedtraining.

YouthworkrepresentedonVolunteerAdvisoryGroup.

Inputandsupporttothevariousworkinggroups.

SeeSectiononWorkforcesupportandDevelopment.

YouthinActionProgramme–FundingSeminarsdeliveredto72youngworkers.

IndependentcharitystatusachievedwithnewScottishBoardincludingyoungpeople.Newfundingbeingsought.

Informationpassedtosectorthroughyouthworkbriefingandothersectornewsletters.

Betterunderstandingofpotentialroleofthesectorandtheopportunitiesavailabletoyoungpeople.

BeyondtheStrategy…ProposedActionActionandDevelopmentsImpacts

Strategic Documents 2007-2011 (produced by youth work sector and partners)

All documents available for download at http://www.youthlinkscotland.org/Index.asp?MainID=7616

TITLE DATE AUTHOR

Youth Work & Schools – The Task 2007 YMCA ScotlandOur Scotland – A Manifesto by Young People 2007 Scottish Youth ParliamentAll Different, All Equal – Conference Report 2007 Partnership Steering GroupGrowing Better Youth Work 2008 Youth Scotland, YouthLink Scotland & Volunteer Development ScotlandNo Limits 2008 Youth Scotland, YouthLink Scotland & Volunteer Development ScotlandAmazing Things 2008 Youth Scotland, YouthLink Scotland & Volunteer Development ScotlandResources Bank http://www.youthscotland.org.uk/resource-bank/resource-bank.htm 2008 Youth Scotland, YouthLink Scotland & VolunteerDevelopment ScotlandAll Different, All Equal – Campaign Report 2008 National Youth Agency and Scottish PartnersAmazing Things 2 2009 Awards NetworkRaising Your Game Toolkithttp://www.youthscotland.org.uk/projects/volunteering-action-plan/raising-your-game.htm 2009 Youth ScotlandYouth Work Volunteers Consultation (CLD Standards Council) 2009 Youth ScotlandStatement on the Nature and Purpose of Youth Work (revised) 2009 YouthLink ScotlandGenerations Work Together – A guide to best practice 2009 Scottish Centre for Intergenerational PracticeSocial Networking Report 2009 Young Scot and YouthLink ScotlandBridging The Gap 2009 Learning and Teaching ScotlandBeyond A Culture of Two Halves Toolkit 2009 Sense Over Sectarianism and YouthLink ScotlandArtworks Toolkit 2009 Scottish Arts Council and YouthLink ScotlandBelieving in Young People 2009 Edinburgh Youth Work ConsortiumYouth Work & Schools Working Group Report 2007-2010 2010 YouthLink Scotland3 Inspiring Years (Strategic Plan) 2010 Scottish Youth ParliamentDoing Things Differently 2010 Community Learning and Development Managers ScotlandLets Prove It 2010 Community Learning and Development Managers ScotlandNational Information Framework 2010 Young ScotSharp Solutions Toolkit 2010 Scottish Government, YouthLink Scotland and Fairbridge ScotlandBig Book of Literacies 2010 Learning and Teaching Scotland and YouthLink ScotlandA Strategy for Working with Young People 2010 North Lanarkshire CouncilBridging the Generation Gap 2010 Scottish Government, Scottish Centre for Intergenerational Practice,

YouthLink Scotland and Robertson TrustBeing Young in Scotland 2009 2010 YouthLink ScotlandChampioning Scotland’s Young People 2010 YouthLink ScotlandPicture the Change – Scottish Youth Parliament Manifesto 2010 Scottish Youth ParliamentYouth Work Essentials – http://www.youthworkessentials.org 2011 Youth ScotlandMentoring Works 2011 YMCA ScotlandFunding and Fundraising Toolkit 2011 YouthBank ScotlandVolunteering Shaping The Future 2011 Volunteering Round Table

Rosebery House, 9 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5EZT: 0131 313 2488 F: 0131 313 6800

E: [email protected] W: www.youthlinkscotland.org

YouthLink Scotland is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in Scotland No: 164547