2. YouthLink 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

3. Youth Work in Scotland Y
Youth work is an educational practice contributing to young people’s learning and development.
Age range
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

4. Youth Work in Scotland

5. Policy Context National Youth Work Strategy 2014-19 (2nd 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

6. This is the National Youth Work Outcomes model
This is the National Youth Work Outcomes model. Developed by the youth work sector as part of the implementation of the National Youth Work Strategy, it is a framework for quality assurance, self evaluation and improvement as well as setting out common goals across the diversity of the sector and the values and competences that underpin our practice. The mode places the outcomes we work towards alongside young people at the centre. At the top are national drivers which the youth work outcomes make a contribution to, though the model focuses on the outcomes being the end in themselves for youth work. At the base we can see the underpinning elements of the essential and definitive features of youth work, the values and principles by which we practice and the skills expected of us. We draw on the National Occupational Standards for Youth Work (UK wide) and the Competences for Community Learning and Development (Scotland - field incorporating youth work, adult learning, community development and family learning). These are the two frameworks on which our training programmes for youth workers; formal and informal are based.

7. 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)
PhD studentships (SCQF 11)
9 institutions offering x programmes

8. Validation - by CLD Standards Council
Three routes to approval for different types of training
Peer review process - constructive, mutually beneficial and well respected
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

9. 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

10. Senior Development Officer
Liz Green
Senior Development Officer
@lizfmgreen