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Parents and Carers

Awards Network for Parents

Young people have the right to be successful. Parents and carers have a responsibility to make a positive difference by supporting and encouraging young people to reach their potential. Learning outside of school, such as through youth work awards, is as important as formal learning.

 

The development, learning and experiences that young people gain in youth work situations… can have a positive impact which is lifelong…(providing) young people developmental opportunities as well as the ability to lead, take responsibility, make decisions…

– National Youth Work Strategy 2014 – 2019, YouthLink Scotland, 2014

 


 

Youth Work Awards

The Awards Network is a forum of providers of non-formal learning awards across Scotland. We work together to promote and recognise the achievements of young people through youth work awards. We value young people’s voluntary effort to develop their own skills and improve the communities around them.

 

Young people achieve awards across all areas of our community, from youth clubs and uniformed organisations to schools and outdoor spaces, care work and campaigns. Awards can be local, national and international. They can be supported by paid staff (CLD / youth workers, teachers) and by volunteers, and can be self-guided by the young people themselves. They can lead to credit-rated qualifications; nationally recognised programme awards; or nominated awards that celebrate exceptional achievements.

Why is it important to recognise young people’s achievements?

Because young people say so

Young people value awards programmes for fun, friendship, challenge, new skills and experiences that look great on a CV. Many young people want to engage in their communities and improve the quality of life for people around them. Personal reward is not the motivator, but the possibility of using their experience towards a recognised Award and as a way of strengthening their CV and enhancing their career prospects can be a real bonus.

Because educationalists say so

All children and young people are entitled to have the full range of their achievements recognised and to be supported in reflecting and building on their learning and Achievements.

 

– Building the Curriculum 5 – a framework for assessment: recognising achievement, profiling, reporting, Scottish Government. 12/2010

 

The Curriculum for Excellence requires schools to recognise the breadth of young people’s achievement, to include achievements gained outside of school through e.g. youth work, volunteering and hobbies, and not simply their ability to pass exams. This means that there is a growing role for community activities to support and complement school based learning.

Because employers say so

Business is clear – we need an education system which develops rigorous, rounded and grounded young people. This means a system which focuses as much on the development of key attitudes and attributes – such as confidence, resilience, enterprise, ambition – as on academic progression and attainment.

– Delivering Excellence – an approach for schools in Scotland, CBI, 3/2015

 

Any job requires a set of technical skills, but employees also need a range of ‘soft skills’. Employers increasingly recognise how youth work awards help young people develop these ‘soft skills’, and consequently make them more valuable as employees in the workplace.

Some of our Awards

SQA Cycling Awards (SCQF 1, 2)

SQA Cycling Awards (SCQF 1, 2)

Our Cycling Awards equip learners with the skills to check, maintain and ride their cycles safely. Learners develop awareness of the main safety requirements… more

Leadership Skills Programme (SCQF Level 5)

Leadership Skills Programme (SCQF Level 5)

Following extensive research with head teachers across the UK and the success of our qualifications in sports leadership, we have introduced the Leadership… more

Sea Cadets Programme

Sea Cadets Programme

Sea Cadets is different from school. There's a lot of learning. But it's done through activities – on the water and off the water – and our volunteers… more

Sea Cadet Achievement, Teamwork and Citizenship Award (SCQF 4)

Sea Cadet Achievement, Teamwork and Citizenship Award (SCQF 4)

The Sea Cadet Achievement, Teamwork and Citizenship Award has been developed thrpugh Lowland Reserve FCA specifically to enhance the employability of… more

What can you do?

 

  • Use the Award Finder to help your child identify the award or range of awards that might best suit their learning needs, interests or ambitions – and encourage positive engagement.
  • Encourage your child to share information about their achievements, record them on their Pupil Profiles and have these recognised and celebrated by their school.
  • At school parents evenings ask how the school promotes and recognises non-academic achievement.

Related Links

Amazing Things

A Directory of Youth Awards in Scotland

What is Achievement?

The importance of achievement, outlined in Educations Scotland’s Parentzone

Wider Achievement in a Nutshell

A simple explanation of Wider Achievement from The National Parents Forum of Scotland with examples of opportunities and related awards and qualifications

Youth Work Skills Framework

A tool to help young people to identify and articulate the skills they develop and apply through youth work and related non-formal learning activity

Interactive Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework 

Understand qualification levels, where awards and qualifications sit and how they equate 

SCQF - information for Parents and Carers

Understanding the SCQF can help you support your child's learning journey

SCQF Database

This database can help you find those qualifications and learning programmes that are on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)

School Leavers Toolkit

A range of resources to help young people prepare for the world beyond school, including signposting to sources of useful information and support

Statement on the Nature and Purpose of Youth Work

Sets out the essential and definitive features of youth work

COVID-19 Activities and Resources

Links to activities and resources to support learning and award achievement at home

CASE STUDIES

Daniel’s JASS journey - a parent’s perspective

Why JASS?I came across JASS on an internet search.  I wanted to be more involved in his preparation for transition into High School but I also knew I had… Read More

What I’ve learned through the Boys’ Brigade awards journey

Members of the Boys' Brigade in Scotland share their stories of skills development and personal achievement from progressing through the Boys' Brigade… Read More