YouthLink Scotland’s Youth Work and Schools partnership programme aim’s to promote and expand the role of youth work in closing the poverty-related attainment gap.
In our blog today, we take a look at how Yipworld is working with schools in the local community to help increase attendance and engagement.
Yipworld, based in Cumnock, East Ayrshire, work with young people in the local community, helping them to increase wellbeing, develop a range of personal and social skills as well as develop skills for learning, life and work. All fantastic youth work outcomes for young people! They are also now working in partnership with St Joseph’s Academy, St Patrick’s Primary and Auchlineck Academy to help close the attainment gap.
When the local schools were facing barriers to learning in the form of attendance and class engagement, it’s perhaps not surprising that a partnership between Yipworld and the schools developed. The school leaders identified that they wanted to improve attendance and classroom engagement, improve employability skills and increase pupil support, in particular social and emotional development – all drivers they believed would help to close the attainment gap.
Yipworld, already an established youth drop-in centre with a local reputation for supporting young people’s learning and wellbeing, was asked to provide targeted workshops focused on helping young people develop employability skills and achieve SCQF level alternative qualifications. They now work in several schools in the local community delivering a range of interventions and support in response to barriers to learning that the school staff identified. This has included life and employment skills workshops and providing one-to-one student support.
There has been a really positive impact on the young people involved. Youth workers have noted improved wellbeing, confidence and aspirations, development of skills for learning, life and work and reduced feelings of social isolation. Additionally, teachers have reported that students have been more engaged in classroom activities.
“[Yipworld] have provided outstanding support to some of our most vulnerable young people, many of whom are at risk of disengaging from education and not moving on to positive and sustainable destinations when they leave school.” – Martin Robertson, Headteacher, Auchinleck Academy
This is just one example of a successful partnership between schools and youth work organisations, demonstrating the positive outcomes for all involved.
For further information about this programme, contact Gregor Henderson, Yipworld Service Director.
You can also find out more about the Youth Work and Schools partnership programme and the Youth Work outcomes on the relevant pages on our website.