Introducing …. Youth Work Outcomes

What are they? 7 outcomes for young people through youth work The 7 outcomes are not interdependent Can be achieved in a range of youth work contexts and settings The 7 outcomes are not mutually exclusive Are only fully realised if the youth work method is followed through the skillset and values of the youth worker. They are not a replacement for individual outcomes for young people negotiated with their youth worker. The 7 outcomes are 'outcomes for young people through youth work'. They build on the 'Statement on the Nature and Purpose of Youth Work'. They are a suite of outcomes that can be achieved in a range of youth work contexts and practices. They are not interdependent nor found in every context, but neither are they mutually exclusive. Youth work method recognises that outcomes for individual young people come as a result of a negotiated process between the young person and youth workers as partners in a learning process.

The model. In Blue are the building blocks that make of the youth work practice model in Scotland and together are essential in delivering youth work outcomes In Green are the national policy drivers and practice models that youth work outcomes make a significant contribution to.

Where did they come from? 2 strategic networks for youth work in Scotland Both networks keen to have ‘shared outcomes’ 2014-2015 discussions and development Building on the Statement on the Nature and Purpose of Youth Work Local Authority Youth Work Managers NVYOS & LAYWM’s meeting Cumbernauld, June 2015 The development of the youth work outcomes emerged from an initial discussion at a meeting of Local Authority Youth Work Managers (LAYWM) and National Voluntary Youth Work Organisations Scotland (NVYOS) in June 2014, about the need for 'shared outcomes'. The networks were also keen to ensure that youth work service providers had: Increased coherence and consistency in youth work delivery and evaluation Stronger recognition of the unique contribution that youth work makes The initial draft of outcomes was completed and circulated at the end of 2014 following a workshop that included representatives from LAYWM's, NVYOS, and the Policy Forum. The outcomes were agreed by the networks and approved by YouthLink Scotland's board in June 2015.

Building on… & European Youth Work Outcomes The outcomes build on the Statement on the Nature and Purpose of Youth Work, a sector-led definition of youth work. This is supported by six statements of the purpose of youth work which were the starting point for the development of youth work outcomes and originate from Step It Up. The working group that produced the outcomes also drew on:   Working with young people: the value of youth work in the European Union and the Young Foundation report http://ec.europa.eu/youth/library/study/youth-work-report_en.pdf Framework of outcomes for young people http://youngfoundation.org/publications/framework-of-outcomes-for-young-people/ National Practice Model: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/Young-People/gettingitright/national-practice-model Curriculum for Excellence: http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/learningandteaching/thecurriculum/whatiscurriculumforexcellence/ National Youth Work Strategy: http://www.youthlinkscotland.org/Index.asp?MainID=19180 National Performance Framework: http://www.gov.scot/About/Performance/scotPerforms & European Youth Work Outcomes Framework of outcomes for young people – Young Foundation

The building blocks Developed by the sector the 3 distinctive features are the core of Statement on the Nature and Purpose of Youth Work The full Statement is recognised in the National Youth Work Strategy Applying this youth work model is key to supporting young people to achieve the outcomes. Since 2005 the youth work sector in Scotland has subscribed to this definition of youth work and it is now contained with the National Youth Work Strategy. This definition includes three essential and definitive features of youth work: young people choose to participate, the work must build from where young people are; and youth work recognises the young person and youth worker as partners in a learning process.

The building blocks In Scotland, youth work has a shared set of Values and Code of Ethics within community learning and development. Across the UK the National occupational Standards for Youth work also sets “Principles and Values for Youth work” The values & ethics of youth work are firmly embedded in training and are essential in supporting young people to achieve the outcomes. The Community Learning and Development (CLD) Standards Council for Scotland holds both the CLD Competences and the CLD Code of Ethics (for which there is a Youth Work Commentary). They underpin the standards and competences required of CLD practitioners and correlate to the values of youth work as set out in the NOS and in the Statement on the Nature and Purpose of Youth Work. Ensuring that the values & ethics of youth work are firmly embedded in training is essential in supporting young people to achieve the outcomes.

The building blocks The National Occupational Standards for Youth Work are statements of competence that set out the skills, knowledge, understanding and behaviours necessary for any function that a youth work role is likely to perform, and are underpinned by a set of agreed values and a key purpose statement. The standards are UK wide, having also received approval from al four nations. In describing good practice, the standards provide employers with a benchmark for the experience and competence that is required from their workforce. Youth workers who have developed their skills, knowledge, understanding and behaviours through youth work training and experience are fully equipped to deliver youth work outcomes. The CLD competence framework shows what is expected of CLD practitioners, including youth workers.

The building blocks The CLD competence framework shows what is expected of CLD practitioners, including youth workers. The Community Learning and Development (CLD) Standards Council for Scotland holds both the CLD Competences and the CLD Code of Ethics (for which there is a Youth Work Commentary), underpinned by the CLD values. The Competences describe the practical skills, knowledge and understanding and values that should be demonstrated by CLD practitioners. Youth Work is one of three main strands of CLD, alongside Adult Education and Community Development. There is significant overlap with the N.O.S for youth work.

The links There are 5 key ambitions in the youth work strategy and two of these: Ensure Scotland is the best place to be young and grow up in. Put young people at the heart of policy In achieving outcomes for young people through youth work in Scotland, there is an expectation that the youth work sector can contribute to these ambitions The development of youth work outcomes has been a sector-led development. However, the development of the outcomes also has locus within the strategy, as above.

The links Youth work outcomes connect to at least 5 of 16 national outcomes The Scottish Government established a National Performance Framework to provide focus for the Government and public services to work towards a shared purpose. These national outcomes are reflected within Single Outcome Agreements from local authorities and influence Community Planning Partnerships. There are 16 National Outcomes. The five outcomes listed overleaf have most resonance with youth work.

The links Youth work provides its own experiences and outcomes for young people Youth work has a particular offer to make towards health and wellbeing across learning The outcomes through youth work contribute to all four capacities Curriculum for Excellence provides a framework of experiences and outcomes for individual learners (aged 3-18). The Curriculum for Excellence uses the language of attributes and capabilities for learning to achieve the four capacities of Successful Learner, Confident Individual, Effective Contributor, and Responsible Citizen. The responsibilities of all are: Health and Wellbeing; Literacy across Learning; and Numeracy across Learning. Outcomes for young people through youth work relate to the four capacities.

The links Definition of wellbeing Promotion of rights Youth work has a place within Children Service Planning. The 7 youth work outcomes contribute to the 8 wellbeing indicators In Scotland, the assessment of wellbeing is legally defined in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. Wellbeing is a core element of the Getting it Right for Every Child approach, which is underpinned by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) The assessment of wellbeing makes reference to the following eight 'wellbeing indicators': safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included. Outcomes for young people through youth work relate to the indicators. The wellbeing of children and young people is protected by this Act with particular reference to the role of the named person, corporate parenting, and within children's services planning.

National Practice Model In Scotland, the assessment of wellbeing is legally defined in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. Wellbeing is a core element of the Getting it Right for Every Child approach. The assessment of wellbeing makes reference to the following eight 'wellbeing indicators': safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included. Outcomes for young people through youth work relate to the indicators. The wellbeing of children and young people is protected by this Act with particular reference to the role of the named person, corporate parenting, and within children's services planning.

What happens next? Formal launch (27 January 2016): Disseminate the youth work outcomes widely across national and local government, voluntary sector, business community, and the general public. Develop and establish the outcomes use in youth work training, research and funding models. Develop and establish the outcomes use as a self-evaluation, reflection and assessment model for youth work. The outcomes are being introduced to the sector over the next three months. We plan to formally launch them at the National Youth Work Strategy Summit in Autumn 2015. In this period before formal launch we would like to: Support the youth work sector to apply the outcomes Explore use of the outcomes in a range of contexts Create resources that bring the outcomes to life In the period after formal launch we would like to: Disseminate the youth work outcomes widely across national and local government, voluntary sector, business community, and the general public. Develop and establish the outcomes use in youth work training, research and funding models. Develop and establish the outcomes use as a self-evaluation, reflection and assessment model for youth work.

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