Commenting, Martin Whitfield MSP said:
“My proposed Youth Work (Scotland) Bill would be transformative piece of legislation that would make youth work a cornerstone of every young person’s life in Scotland.
“By creating a legal obligation for local authorities to provide universal and targeted youth work services, this Bill would ensure no young person is excluded from the opportunities they need to succeed.
“Youth work is more than just services—it is about creating a pathway for young people to grow, develop, and contribute to their communities. Today’s consultation is an important step towards breaking down systemic barriers that prevent equal access to youth work, especially for those in rural or deprived areas.
“Throughout my time as an MSP, I have seen the incredible impact that youth work has on building confidence, resilience, and life skills. This legislation recognises and celebrates that value, enshrining it in law to guarantee opportunities for generations to come.
“By tackling inequality and investing in our young people, we are building a stronger, fairer Scotland where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential.”
Youth Scotland Chief Executive, Mike Strang said:
“Youth Scotland welcomes the proposed Youth Work (Scotland) Bill, which aligns with our ongoing strategic aims to enhance community-based youth work across Scotland. Our Strategy 2024-29 emphasises the importance of ensuring that young people in Scotland have access to high-quality youth services that support their personal, social, and educational development.”
“We recognise the pivotal role of youth work in promoting inclusivity, supporting young people in disadvantaged and rural communities and upholding their rights in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).”
“We are especially supportive of the Bill’s emphasis on involving young people in shaping the services they receive, a principle that is a cornerstone to our work at Youth Scotland.”
“We welcome the aims and focus of the proposed Youth Work (Scotland) Bill and look forward to supporting its development and progress.”
YouthLink CEO, Tim Frew said:
“At YouthLink Scotland, we welcome the consultation on the proposed Youth Work (Scotland) Bill and recognise the importance of this initiative in strengthening youth work services across the country, which the sector has been calling for.
“We commend Martin Whitfield MSP for bringing this forward.
“This consultation is a crucial opportunity to ensure youth work is embedded in legislation, guaranteeing universal access to high-quality services for all young people, regardless of their background or location.
“As we work to implement Scotland’s commitments under the UNCRC, it is vital that youth work is given the legal recognition and support it deserves, ensuring it has parity of esteem with formal education.”
Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, Nicola Killean said:
“Youth workers are frontline workers who make a huge difference to the lives of the children they work with.”
“But we’re aware that provision is inconsistent and children in many areas of Scotland have little or no access to this important support.”
“And many youth work services, particularly in the third sector, experience insecure funding and that impacts their ability to delivery sustained support to children.”
“This bill will ensure that all children have the right to access quality youth work while prioritising children who are furthest from having their rights realised.”
“It is important that barriers to participating in activities are addressed, including for disabled children, those living in poverty and for children in remote rural areas.”
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The Proposed Youth Work (Scotland) Bill consultation is open until 21 February 2025 and can be accessed at the following page:
Respond to consultation
Additional guidance and resources
YouthLink Scotland has provided a detailed brief on how to engage and respond to the Bill:
Engagement briefing
YouthLink are also running a series of online stakeholder events to support practitioners and young people to engage with the consultation. More info on this page:
See the events
