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3. Supporting Youth Work at National Level
3.1 National support structures and systems are critical in underpinning the youth work being delivered in Scotland today. Voluntary organisation headquarters, which the Scottish Executive support through the Unified Voluntary Sector Fund, and national organisations like YouthLink and Young Scot play a key role in supporting delivery at local level. It is clear from the consultation that much is working well but improvements can still be made with a greater focus on building effective capacity and achieving best value for the funds available.
Funding and quality improvement
3.2 Consultation responses raised a range of concerns relating to funding. The need for more, easily accessible funding and resources was identified by 46% of the adult and organisational responses. Within this, respondents identified a need for more funding and particularly for sustainable long term funding. Availability of funding to provide adequate opportunities is the central concern, but voluntary organisations in particular expressed frustration about short term funding programmes which cause instability for the projects and pressure on paid staff.
3.3 The Executive provides financial support for voluntary organisation headquarters through grant delivered by the Children, Young People and Families Unified Voluntary Sector Fund. This covers a wide range of organisations, from organisations like Youth Scotland who in turn support many local youth clubs, to organisations like Fairbridge and Venture Scotland who work intensively with young people who often face especially challenging circumstances, to uniformed organisations which are open to young people across the country in their own communities. We appreciate the value of what they achieve for young people and the commitment and skill of the many volunteers who make this possible. We do however recognise that the voluntary youth sector is, in itself, extremely diverse, and that organisations within it will have different needs and priorities in order to build capacity and grow.
3.4 We have recently reviewed the Unified Fund and made some changes to address concerns about the short term nature of funding and to enable the Fund to be used more flexibly to provide the best possible outcomes and value for money. It is essential that the funding we give to organisations is used to deliver agreed objectives successfully and lead to significant positive impact on young people's lives. We want to be able to increase funding in the future for organisations which deliver excellent outcomes for young people but funding levels cannot be sustained where organisations fail to deliver the outcomes promised to receive their grant. We will continue to review awards made through the Unified Fund to ensure agreed priorities and objectives are being met. We will also consider how new organisations with fresh ideas can be allowed access to the fund given it is cash limited.
3.5 Each year, we commission HMIe to conduct reviews of a sample of national voluntary youth organisations. In line with other changes in inspections, HMIe is reviewing its approach to these voluntary organisation reviews. The new focus will place greater emphasis on the outcomes achieved by voluntary organisations and support to help them to continuously improve their outcomes.
The Outcome we want:
For voluntary organisation headquarters supported through the Unified Fund to have stable funding which results in increased ability to plan and deliver better outcomes for young people locally.
The Action we propose:
- We will move towards longer term funding arrangements for organisations who successfully deliver the outcomes agreed for the support they receive and can demonstrate the highest standards of monitoring and evaluation.
- We will also ask HMIe to develop a review cycle for the national youth organisations similar to that now in place for Community Learning and Development provision within local authorities to ensure the sector receives the highest quality support at national level.
Building capacity in voluntary youth work organisations
3.6 It is clear that the voluntary organisations working at local level rely heavily on support from their national headquarters. In particular national headquarters support training needs, build capacity to deliver more opportunities and establish quality standards for local volunteers and groups. We know that providing sustained high quality training to volunteers can be a challenge for many voluntary organisations. So, as part of the Year of Action on youth work, we are setting up a support fund for voluntary organisations where they can bid for funding to take forward specific proposals for training or capacity building.
The Outcome we want:
For national voluntary organisations to be able to provide the best possible training opportunities for local volunteers, to improve the support given by them in delivering high quality outcomes for the young people they work with and to enhance and expand the sustainability of their work in local areas.
The Action we propose:
- As part of the Year of Action on youth work we will provide £0.5m in 2007-2008 for a Voluntary Organisation Support Fund to help national voluntary organisations provide better training and strengthen their capacity.
- We will continue to support young people volunteering through Project Scotland to build on success to date.
Building capacity in national organisations
3.7 We are also keen that national organisations supporting the youth work sector are able to share resources where possible. We will therefore ask YouthLink, Young Scot and the Scottish Youth Parliament to develop a National Youth Hub, combining back office and other functions where possible with a view to achieving a more joined-up strategic service for young people and the youth work sector and achieving best value for money.
The Big Lottery
3.8 The Big Lottery Young People's Fund supports the well being of young people in Scotland and has provided £20m over the past 2 years to helping organisations which engage young people in learning new things and taking part in healthy and positive activities. This fund will be drawing to a close this autumn. Building on the success of the Young People's Fund, we will explore with the Big Lottery how future funding can be best linked to delivering on this strategy and achieving positive outcomes for young people through youth work.
Role of YouthLink as the National Agency for youth work
3.9 Over the past year YouthLink Scotland has refocused its aims and efforts to reflect and respond to the needs and demands of the youth work sector, both voluntary and local authority providers. The progress that has been made is reflected, not only in the responses to this consultation which call for it to have a strengthened role in supporting the sector, but also in an improved interim follow-up review by HMIe and Audit Scotland and in their successful administration of this year's Youth Work Capital Fund.
3.10 Consultation responses called in particular for YouthLink to offer more opportunities for networking and sharing good practice. Use of technology to disseminate information was also mentioned specifically. Networking events and joint training opportunities were also seen as a way YouthLink could support the sector effectively. YouthLink's role in providing a link between voluntary sector and local authority youth work providers was also regarded as important. As was its ability to represent the youth work sector in policy and decision-making forums on issues relating to young people.
3.11 The Scottish Executive has sought to involve YouthLink and others in policy forums such as the Summits on Sectarianism and the advisory group on alcohol. We are keen that the organisation continues to contribute its expertise in developing policy and in raising awareness of Government policy in the youth work sector.
The Outcome we want:
For YouthLink Scotland to focus its capacity and resources on supporting the youth work sector nationally and locally through:
- the provision of opportunities for networking and training;
- identifying and sharing best practice, through its website and publications, supporting a National Youth Work Week and other means;
- strengthening links between voluntary sector and local authority youth work providers and delivering one-off sector-wide initiatives; and
- representing the sector in a wider national policy context to ensure other professionals and policy-makers understand the role and nature of youth work and its potential in reaching young people.
The Action we propose:
- The Scottish Executive will recognise YouthLink's role as the national agency for youth work in Scotland and, where appropriate, involve representatives of the organisation - staff or members - in representing the youth work sector in wider policy forums.
- We will agree a workplan with YouthLink for 2007-2008 and a business plan for 2007-2010, both of which are directed to delivering the priorities identified in the consultation and in the outcome stated above. While we recognise that YouthLink member organisations may wish to fund additional activities, the core support from Government will be focused on delivering support for the sector and advocating the role and strengths of youth work in a national policy context. We will expect to see excellence and maturity in delivery of these roles in taking forward the 2007-2008 action plan and the HMIe action plan following the 2005 review of the organisation.
Working with schools, teachers and other professions
3.12 A theme emerging from the consultation, from young people, adults and organisations, was a desire for closer links and better communication with schools, social workers and other providers of services for young people. 27% called for more interaction, collaboration and joint working, but with clarity around the role of different professional groups. Young people expect to be able to find out about youth work and informal learning opportunities at schools and closer liaison between youth workers and teachers could benefit young people and ensure their needs are met better.
3.13 The 'Getting It Right For Every Child' ( GIRFEC) agenda puts children and young people at the centre of service delivery, with the expectation that all professionals will work together and do what is necessary to meet the needs of an individual child or young person. We want to see youth work and youth workers very firmly involved in delivering GIRFEC, with their unique skills and perspective recognised by other professionals and with youth workers themselves demonstrating increased flexibility and a willingness to work across professional barriers to deliver the best outcomes for the young people they work with. The consultation pointed in particular to youth workers' ability to build relationships and trust with hard-to-reach young people and to negotiate future learning and development with them. This can put a youth worker in a uniquely insightful position to help identify a young person's needs and help communicate these to other professionals.
3.14 More Choices, More Chances, the Executive's strategy to reduce the proportion of young people aged 16-19 not in education, employment or training similarly puts young people at the heart of its agenda. It requires local partnerships to focus on the needs of this group of very often vulnerable young people and requires services to work together to prevent young people from becoming NEET and to help those already in this category. Both pre- and post-16, youth work has a significant role to play, particularly in engaging some of the harder to reach young people, to help them develop the skills and confidence they need throughout their lives.
The Outcome we want:
For young people to benefit from all youth workers adopting the principles of the 'Getting It Right For Every Child' ( GIRFEC) and 'Not in Education, Employment or Training' ( NEET) agendas, and for youth workers to be supported by their employers and by YouthLink to work effectively with other professionals.
The Action we propose:
- We will ask all local authorities to involve youth workers in developing and delivering the GIRFEC and NEET agendas in their local area.
- We will also ask YouthLink to encourage youth workers to help develop GIRFEC proposals in their local area and to work with local authorities and the voluntary sector to cover the GIRFEC agenda in the training programmes, newsletters and information they offer to youth workers and member organisations.
3.15 Young people clearly see their schools as an obvious place to get information and we need to make more of the potential for good links to benefit schools, youth work projects and, especially young people. Young Scot and the Dialogue Youth initiative have already resulted in significant progress in some parts of Scotland with this work. Responses also called for youth workers to be held in the same professional esteem as other professions, with a recognition that youth work and informal education complement and support young people's more formal learning and personal development.
3.16 We would ask voluntary organisations generally to foster links with local schools and ask local authorities to consider in their Integrated Children's Services Plans, Community Learning and Development Strategies and NEET plans how joint working and information sharing between youth workers, schools, colleges, Careers Scotland and other relevant post-school service providers in their area can be a part of delivering the best outcomes for young people locally. Learning and Teaching Scotland are keen to forge close links with the youth work sector and we will work with them to set up a co-ordinator post based in their organisation to work on strengthening links between schools and youth work.
The Outcome we want:
Young people to be able to access information on youth work opportunities at school and for schools to fully understand and appreciate the unique role and methods of youth work and the benefits and achievements young people gain through youth work opportunities.
The Action we propose:
With Learning and Teaching Scotland we will jointly fund a 2-year youth workco-ordinator post to work with schools and the youth work sector to increase mutual understanding and highlight good practice. They will also promote the benefits of the GIRFEC approach, A Curriculum for Excellence, the recognition of informal learning, achievements and qualifications and wider NEET preventative strategies.
Peer Education
3.17 The value of peer education in providing information and advice for young people by young people, featured strongly in consultation responses and many called for continued support for projects and training for young people involved in peer education. For the past 3 years, the Executive has funded the pilot Peer Education Network based within Fast Forward and we will continue to do so as a core element of Fast Forward's work.
Healthy Choices
3.18 The importance of healthy living and helping young people to make informed choices is recognised. This is particularly the case when it comes to choices about alcohol and drugs. We will continue to support organisations through the Unified Voluntary Sector Fund which help educate and support young people to make positive choices about drugs and alcohol. We will also continue to fund the Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland Partnership Drugs Initiative which supports local organisations which work with young people at risk from, or affected by, substance misuse.
Transport access
3.19 Transport costs were raised by some young people as a contributing factor in deciding whether they could or could not access youth work opportunities. In January 2007 a Scotland-wide concessionary travel scheme for young people was launched which offers all young people aged 16 to 18 and full time volunteers up to age 25 a third off single bus fares and a third off rail fares across Scotland. Young people on Scottish islands also get two free ferry journeys to the mainland each year. Giving young people cheaper travel will make a real difference, whether by enabling them to access youth work opportunities, get to school or college, look for jobs or to see more of Scotland.
Equal Opportunities
3.20 Young people in particular voiced some concerns about feeling excluded if they belonged to a minority group. It must clearly be a priority for youth organisations and groups to develop their understanding about the diverse needs of young people and ensure that mainstream provision appeals to and meets the needs of young people from minority groups. Young people will also be better supported by youth workers who understand diversity issues and are equipped to deal with situations in a youth work context where young people from minority groups might feel uncomfortable.
3.21 2007 is the European Year of Equal Opportunities and we need to make sure thatthe youth work sector demonstrates the highest standards of equality across all its provision. We recently published Same Difference? www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk/samedifference, a guide to working with equalities groups in community learning and development, including youth work, and are developing further ideas for taking forward work in this area. We are keen to support provision which actively seeks to meet the needs of vulnerable young people. Therefore bids for funding which demonstrate positive steps to include young people from minority groups will be welcomed for both the Youth Opportunities Fund and the Facilities Improvement Fund.
The Outcome we want:
For young people from any minority group to feel included and supported in any youth work activity or facility and for the youth work sector to be completely free from discrimination or exclusion.
The Action we propose:
P We will ask YouthLink to offer training and opportunities to share good practice on how groups can deliver opportunities which appeal to minority groups and meet their needs. This should also cover the handling of issues and discussion relating to ethics, morals, equality and faith issues which might arise in working with young people in a youth work context.
- We will ask Young Scot to ensure that the information they provide covers issues of particular concern to young people from minority groups.
- We will continue to support organisations which specifically work to support young people affected by, or at risk from, alcohol and drugs misuse.
- We will work with organisations which deal specifically with young people from minority groups to discuss how best to make befriending and mentoring support available for these young people.
- We will ask groups taking forward these initiatives for minority groups to include monitoring and evaluation as integral aspects.
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