Youth Work Resources

Training/Toolkits/Session Plans

Curiosity in Action Toolkit

This toolkit aims to serve as a guide to support you through partnership work, planning and delivering STEM-themed activities and capturing meaningful impact.

Publications & Research

Young People's Perspectives on Volunteering - Research Report

Learn what young people really think about volunteering in Scotland. This report, developed in partnership with young people across the country, offers fresh insights into what motivates young people to volunteer, the barriers they face, and what they need to feel inspired, included and supported.

Publications & Research

YouthLink Scotland Training Report 2024-25

It’s been another successful year of training delivery within YouthLink Scotland, delivering 3,851 learning places on key themes that matter to the sector and young people. Check out our Training Report for 2024-25 to find out more.

Publications & Research

Youth Work Perspectives on The Scottish Attainment Challenge

A 2025 summary of youth work sector reflections on progress made towards the Scottish Attainment Challenge mission.

Publications & Research

Youth Work, Education and Lifelong Learning: Supporting Young People Across the Learner Journey

This recent report summarises youth work’s contribution to national priorities for education and lifelong learning, and where this supports the Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation and its Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan.

Publications & Research

Antisocial Behaviour - Whose Responsibility? Towards a More Effective Response to Antisocial Behaviour in Scotland

This report by the Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour highlights key observations and recommendations to address antisocial behaviour (ASB) in Scotland through a fair and effective, whole-system response.

Cover of Game Design for Youth Work resource with image of screen and games controller.

Case Studies & Good Practice, Training/Toolkits/Session Plans

Games Design for Youth Work

We set out to explore how informal education – specifically digital youth work - can help to bridge the digital divide, enabling young people to respond positively to the growing disparities in our society. Two groups of young people took part in creating digital games.

Case Studies & Good Practice, Publications & Research

A Collaborative Approach to Tracking Achievement with a Focus on Skills in Alva Academy

Education Scotland has published findings from a successful youth work and school partnership approach to tracking achievement, underpinned by the National Youth Work Outcomes and Skills Framework.

Key Youth Work Sector Documents, Policy & Consultations, Training/Toolkits/Session Plans

Young People's Engagement: Youth Work (Scotland) Bill Consultation

Session plan ideas for youth workers and youth work volunteers supporting young people’s engagement in the consultation process.

Key Youth Work Sector Documents, Policy & Consultations

Young People's Response Template: Youth Work (Scotland) Bill Consultation

Response template for young people engaged in the consultation process.

Key Youth Work Sector Documents, Policy & Consultations

Social Media Toolkit: Youth Work (Scotland) Bill Consultation

We’ve created a social media toolkit to help you spread the word about the consultation and encourage others to take part. This toolkit includes suggested posts, and key messages to amplify your voice and engage your networks, youth workers and young people.

Key Youth Work Sector Documents, Publications & Research

Social and Economic Value of Youth Work in Scotland

YouthLink Scotland commissioned Hall Aitken to carry out this study to show the economic value of youth work in Scotland (Pubished in January 2016).

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