Youth work creates the safe and exploratory spaces where young people can grow, thrive, and navigate the complexities of their world — both indoors and outdoors, online and offline. In a rapidly shifting landscape, safeguarding is no longer just about physical safety but also mental wellbeing, digital resilience, and protection from harm in all its forms and the promotion of positive alternative pathways and experiences.
This year’s conference will focus on proactive and preventative approaches to safeguarding, ensuring Scotland’s youth workers are equipped with the latest knowledge, skills, and training to support young people effectively.
Key Themes & Topics
- Mental Health & Wellbeing – Understanding the safeguarding role of youth workers in supporting young people’s emotional resilience and providing space to thrive.
- Pro-Social Youth Work & Trauma-Informed Practice – How youth work can shape positive behaviours and provide early intervention for at-risk young people.
- Outdoor Play and Education in Green Spaces – How can we ensure teenagers have outdoor spaces and opportunities to counterbalance increasing physical inactivity
- Online Lives, Online Harms – The digital world is increasingly young people’s world. How do we create safe online environments, address cyberbullying, and tackle the risks of radicalisation and use technology for good?
- Youth Violence & Exploitation – Early intervention strategies to prevent youth violence, including the role of youth work in violence reduction programmes.
- Creative Spaces and Places – Promoting opportunities for young people to explore and be creative with partners.
- Gender-Based Violence & Positive Masculinity – Practical tools for youth workers to engage young people in conversations about gender, relationships, and consent.
- The Promise & Care-Experienced Young People – Delivering on Scotland’s commitment to ensuring care-experienced young people are safe and supported.
- Bullying & Hate Speech – Equipping youth workers to challenge discrimination and build inclusive spaces for all young people.
- Substance Use & Emerging Trends – Addressing the rise of vaping and other risky behaviours among young people.
Conference Highlights
- Keynote Speakers – Thought leaders in safeguarding, youth mental health, and digital resilience.
- Practical Training Workshops – CPD-certified sessions designed to equip youth workers with actionable skills.
