Youth Link Scotland National Agency for Youth Work

Youth. Link Scotland National Agency for Youth Work in Scotland: The representative body for the statutory and national voluntary youth work sector. We have over 150 members and partners. Government designation, but independent body. What do we do? Policy, lobbying, funding, workforce development, networks, communications, projects, national programmes We are a key partner in the delivery of the National Youth Work Strategy 2014 -2019

Youth Work in Scotland Youth work is an educational practice contributing to young people’s learning and development. Age range - 11 -25 Three essential and definitive features: • Young people choose to participate • The work must build from where young people are • Youth Work recognises the young person and the youth worker as partners in a learning process Y

Youth Work in Scotland

Policy Context • National Youth Work Strategy 2014 -19 (2 nd strategy) • Youth Work and Community Learning and Development (CLD) • Role of the CLD Standards Council - professional body; Approvals, Registration, Professional Learning On the horizon. . . • Education Governance Review - YW and CLD moving 'sponsoring department' in Scottish Government - Possible creation of joint 'Education Workforce Council' and possible mandatory registration

Youth Work Training in Scotland (not often a linear pathway) • Induction and career long professional learning (delivered in house, by national agencies and regional networks) • Certificate in Youth Work (new – only 1 college) (SCQF 3) • Ready for Youth Work (new - 1 informal provider) (SCQF 5) • • Professional Development Award in Youth Work (SCQF 6) Scottish Vocational Qualifications in Youth Work (SCQF 5/6) Modern Apprenticeship in Youth Work (SCQF 6) NC/ HNC Working with Communities (SCQF 6/7) BA/BA(Hons) in Community Learning and Development / Community Education (SCQF 9) Postgraduate Diploma in CLD/ Comm. Ed. (SCQF 10) Masters in CLD / Comm. Ed. (SCQF 10) Ph. D studentships (SCQF 11)

Validation - by CLD Standards Council l Three routes to approval for different types of training l Peer review process - constructive, mutually beneficial and well respected l Practice placement is critical minimum 40% for developmental and professional approval CLD Standards Council as the professional body for CLD practitioners also holds key sector frameworks i. e. code of ethics and competences

Challenges and questions • Keeping training fit for purpose and up to date at all levels • Being professional without being over professionalised. Professionalisation helps with parity of esteem • Keeping approvals desirable • Making registration attractive and worthwhile for volunteers - how? should we? - back to identity question • Capacity and funding - and the changing sector

Liz Green Senior Development Officer lgreen@youthlinkscotland. org @lizfmgreen