Scotland: Executive sets date for youth strategy
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
The long-awaited document is intended to bring Scotland's youth services together for the first time. Deputy education minister Euan Robson has previously called services "patchy".
It aims to improve opportunities for young people's development and the facilities available to them, as well as boost their involvement in decision making. It is also expected to outline plans to improve the youth work career structure, which could involve creating a professional body for Scottish youth workers.
The announcement of the timescale by Robson coincides with the launch of the first national youth work statement. The statement, produced by YouthLink Scotland after consultation with statutory and voluntary organisations, outlines the nature and purpose of youth work.
Margaret McLeod, head of development at YouthLink, said: "We're hoping it will inform the discussions around the national youth work strategy.
Previously, if we asked 10 different people to define youth work, we'd get 10 different answers."
The statement outlines three essential features of youth work. A young person must choose to participate, the work must take place on a young person's territory and within his or her fields of interest, and the young person must be recognised as an active partner in the learning process.
The statement also highlights the need for more community-based youth work, which it says has been eroded in recent years. The draft strategy will be followed by three months of consultation, before a final document is drawn up.
www.youthlink.co.uk.
