Youth work in Scotland’s post-school landscape provides critical support to young people, enabling them to develop holistically, navigate the complexities of adulthood, and contribute positively to society. It acts as a ‘safety net’ for the most vulnerable, offering access to holistic person-centred support and the opportunity to develop the skills needed to thrive.
The Scottish Government acknowledges the need to change how we view, fund, and structure the post-school system. We believe that strengthening access to and recognition of youth work is a critical component of this.
Recommended actions:
- A new funding model for post-school learning provision should equitably resource youth work, so tailored support and learning pathways are embedded within local communities as a more clearly defined element of the learning system.
- Take a rights-based approach to change, recognising the need for young people to access youth work as part of the diverse system to provide the opportunities needed to achieve our ambitions. This will align with emerging priorities identified in the Independent Review of CLD.
- The Scottish Government should lead the way in demonstrating parity of options, pathways and qualifications by changing the traditional assumptions, structures and delivery models to embed youth work as a vital element of the post-school system.
- Work with the national agency for youth work to ensure the youth work workforce is valued within the system.
- Work with the national agency for youth work to build capacity for collaboration with youth work to get it right for every learner, including supporting more integrated models of delivery that build on existing good practice.
Read the Scottish Government press release here.
