Youth Scotland’s response
Youth Scotland welcomes the focus on Scotland’s world-class youth work sector afforded by both the proposed Youth Work (Scotland) Bill and last year’s Independent Review of Community Learning and Development (CLD). We are enthused that there is renewed support and cross-party recognition of the essential role youth work plays in supporting Scotland’s young people to be confident, resilient learners and to have better outcomes, regardless of their background.
Scotland’s youth sector remains in extremely challenging financial conditions, operating with increased demand for services while facing significant reductions in funding. We trust that policymakers, national and local recognise the fundamental reduction to the pressures on the public purse youth work makes as a preventative activity alone , regardless of the additional, evidenced benefit to learning, empowerment and wellbeing derived from this participation.
Youth Scotland’s response to the proposed Youth Work (Scotland) Bill follows a period of consultation and conversation with our wider membership network. Our position is informed by and inclusive of these crucial viewpoints and can be downloaded and read below.