Youth Work (Scotland) Bill – April update

Over the last few months we have been helping raise awareness of the proposed Youth Work (Scotland) Bill, sharing information across our communication channels.

The legislation aims to embed youth work as a statutory service, ensuring equitable provision for all young people and addressing longstanding disparities in access and support. If enacted, the legislation would establish a legal right for all young people aged 11 to 25 to access high-quality youth work services, setting a new standard for equitable provision across Scotland. 

We encouraged our partners, followers and supporters to submit their responses before the March 31st deadline, and we’d like to share ours.

Fast Forward’s response to the proposed Youth Work (Scotland) Bill follows a period of consultation and conversation with our team, board members, and wider network.

As a national youthwork organisation, funded by charities and the Scottish government, our position is informed by our shared belief that quality youth provision should be accessible, well-funded, and high-quality across Scotland, supporting the holistic development, well-being, and social inclusion of young people, and ensuring equal opportunities for all, regardless of background or circumstance.

We are encouraged to see 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.

There was agreement that the proposed Bill should be taken forward. We’re hopeful to see as much co-operation between MSP Martin Whitfield’s Team, the voluntary sector and community-based youth work as possible as the Bill progresses.

Find out more about the bill here