This section of the Visible Value aims to provide a quick overview of the state of the affairs about the recognition of youth work in the countries covered by EU-CoE Youth Partnership. In total it covers 53 country profiles (including 3 profiles for Belgium and 4 profiles for the UK).

The content in this section is based on several sources, including:

The sources of information are indicated at the end of each profile.

Back United Kingdom – Scotland

According to The National Youth Work Strategy 2014-2019:

‘Youth work is an educational practice contributing to young people’s learning and development.

Youth work engages with young people within their communities; it acknowledges the wider networks of peers, community and culture; it supports the young person to realise their potential and to address life’s challenges critically and creatively; it takes account of all strands of diversity.’

The Strategy describes Youth Work as having three essential and definitive features:

  • Young people choose to participate. The young person takes part voluntarily. She/he chooses to be involved, not least because they want to relax, meet friends and have fun. The young person decides whether to engage or to walk away.
  • The work must build from where young people are Youth Work operates on young people’s own personal and recreational territory – within both their geographic and interest communities. The young person’s life experience is respected and forms the basis for shaping the agenda in negotiation with peers and youth workers.
  • Youth Work recognises the young person and the youth worker as partners in a learning process. The young person is recognised as an active partner who can, and should, have opportunities and resources to shape their lives. The relationship and dialogue between the young person and youth worker is central to the learning process

Furthermore, the document explains that youth work’s focus is on 11-25 year olds, with particular emphasis on the 11-18 year age group.

Most people enter youth work as either a volunteer or paid worker/apprentice.

The Standards Council for Community Learning and Development for Scotland (CLD Standards Council) is the professional body responsible for staff involved in community learning and development in Scotland, including youth work. It oversees the registration of practitioners; approves training courses; and oversees the continuing professional development of the sector's workforce.

A 2016 framework agreement, sets out the respective roles, goals and responsibilities of the CLD Standards Council and Education Scotland, the improvement agency.

The Youth Work National Occupational Standards are also in operation in Scotland. These define the competencies required to carry out youth work; they form the basis for Scottish Vocational Qualifications, and inform other qualifications throughout the training pathway. They are agreed standards of performance and knowledge which youth work practitioners may be required to demonstrate, depending on their role and responsibilities.

A number of pre-degree awards and training programmes exist for youth workers, including:  

  • National Youth Work Induction Checklist has been developed by the sector and launched in 2018. The purpose is to have a minimum induction standard across Scotland so that staff and volunteers can expect the same level of induction training wherever they practice and so that induction is transferable across organisations and locations.
  • The Professional Development Award (PDA) in Youth Work, designed as early career training for new staff or for existing youth workers who do not yet have any formal qualifications; the award recognises staff who have developed the knowledge and skills of young people;
  • The Scottish Vocational Qualification at SCQF Level 5 or 6 Youth Work, or work-based apprenticeship route aimed at individuals aged 16-19, which is a Level 5 or 6 on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF);
  • The Higher National Certificate in Working with Communities at SCQF level 7 sets youth work within the wider CLD context.
  • The Certificate of Higher Education in Working with Young People, which aims to give learners an understanding of the key ideas, issues and policies relating to informal education work with young people and will enable learners to demonstrate reflective practitioner skills; it is a Level 7 on the SCQF;
  • The Diploma of Higher Education in Working with Young People, which gives learners a sound knowledge and critical understanding of the key ideas and policies relating to youth work and will enable learners to design, implement and evaluate programmes to support young people's development; it is a Level 8 on the SCQF.

Many youth workers will have a bachelor's or master's degree in youth work (or community learning and development) at levels 9, 10 or 11 on the SCQF.

Degrees relevant to the youth work sector and approved as professionally qualifying by the CLD Standards Council for Scotland include:

  • BA in Community Education at the University of the West of Scotland;
  • MEd or PgDip in Community Learning and Development at the University of Aberdeen;
  • MEd or PgDip in Adult Education, Community, and Youth Work at the University of Glasgow.

The Awards Network brings together over 40 awards which recognise young people’s learning through youth work. This is a significant aspect of youth work in Scotland and Youth Awards are used within youth work and within schools contexts, when recognising informal education. One of the organisations offering many of these awards is Youth Scotland.

Youth Scotland has established three sets of awards to formally recognise young people’s achievements through participation in youth work.

  • The Youth Achievement Awards (YAAs) are individual learning Awards that provide a framework to support quality work with young people aged 14 and over. The YAAs are a Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) customised award which, supports the aims and purposes of the Curriculum for Excellence. They can be tailored to support any activity and provide a recognised, SCQF 4-7 levelled award that recognises four levels of responsibility.
  • The Dynamic Youth Awards (DYAs) are a nationally recognised youth award for young people aged 10 and over. They are externally quality assured by Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and are level 3 credit rated on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). The DYAs follow a Plan-Do-Review process through self and peer assessment, which enables young people to more effectively recognise and articulate their learning and achievements within different contexts. The Awards fully support the aims and implementation of the Curriculum for Excellence.
  • The Hi5 Awards are a nationally recognised youth award for young people aged 5 and over. To gain a Hi5 Award, young people choose a challenge, complete a minimum of 5 hours of activity, think about and comment on their achievements and gather evidence of their participation. The award is level 2 credit rated on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).

(From the Youth Wiki)