Scottish Fire and Rescue Services Information on fire safety for young people is available from: www.infoscotland.com (Blaze Aware) Information and guidance on Community Planning is available at: www.communityplanning.org.uk Youth Development Plan Good practice on engaging with communities is contained within the National Standards for Community Engagement produced by Communities Scotland. www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk Information on youth work and the needs of young people is available from: www.youthscotland.org.uk www.youthlink.co.uk www.sccyp.org www.nya.org.uk www.childreninscotland.co.uk Information, guidance and good practice on anti-social behaviour is available at: www.antisocialbehaviourscotland.com www.dontgivefireahome.com Scottish Fire and Rescue Services are committed to improving the development and delivery of Community Safety in Scotland.
Foreword Scottish Fire and Rescue Services are to be warmly congratulated on the production of this Youth Development Plan. It is a good example of an agency, whose core work would not normally be seen as involving young people, taking the initiative to do so. In doing this, the Service has recognised that involving young people and building relationships with them is critical to making communities safer. It is not an inconvenient add-on, but an activity that actually increases the effectiveness of the Service. This is also a very practical application of the basic concept and principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and I sincerely hope that other services, community activists and politicians will take note. Scottish Fire and Rescue Services are to be commended for giving a long - term commitment to working with children and young people in the community. We all want safe, secure and vibrant communities and this is an aim shared by children and young people. Scottish Fire and Rescue Services have blazed a trail that I hope many others will follow. Kathleen Marshall Scotland s Commissioner for Children & Young People
Partners As chief executive of YouthLink Scotland I would like to welcome the contribution of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Services to our work with young people and youth work professionals. They are a service that is widely respected in the communities that we work with and I am convinced that they will bring added value to existing good practice. I would like to commend them on the commitment that they have made through this plan and I look forward to working with them on its implementation. James Sweeney, Chief Executive, YouthLink Scotland The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) is a collective voice for young people in Scotland, we actively engage with young people across Scotland to encourage their participation in decision making and citizenship. Over the past year, the SYP has developed strong links with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service; we fully support their work in regards to engaging with young people. The SYP is impressed by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Services desire to develop a strategy for working with young people and we are keen to work with them in its development and implementation. This is a milestone for young people in Scotland and their relationship with the Fire and Rescue Service; we look forward to seeing the impact of this strategy as we continue to develop our partnership. Rajiv Joshi, Chairperson, Scottish Youth Parliament We have enjoyed an excellent and mutually beneficial relationship with Scottish Fire and Rescue Services for a number of years and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their commitment and time. They have strongly supported us across a range of activities and programmes involving young people and we have found that the young peoples understanding and appreciation of the Fire and Rescue Services has improved signifi cantly. Currently we are exploring how we might develop this positive experience across Scotland. Geraldine Gammell, Director -Scotland, Prince s Trust On behalf of Young Scot and Dialogue Youth I wholly endorse the work that they the Scottish Fire and Rescue Services are doing and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future. I would very much encourage all colleagues within the youth work sector, and other sectors, to embrace the SF&RS as a new and exciting partner. Marcus Liddle O.B.E., Chief Executive, Young Scot/Dialogue Youth RoSPA in Scotland welcomes the Scottish Fire & Rescue Youth Development Plan and especially the inclusion of the intention to work in partnership to tackle unsafe driving. I am delighted also that the reduction of child/youth accidents and injury is stated as a key outcome of the Plan and I look forward to working alongside Scottish Fire and Rescue Services to support this. Elizabeth Lumsden, Road Safety Manager, RoSPA Scotland
Strategic responsibilities Each Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) in Scotland has responsibility for the delivery of fi re and rescue services to young people and for the professionalism and conduct of employees and persons who volunteer to work with children and young people. In particular FRAs have specifi c statutory requirements and guidance to comply with in terms of employment, monitoring and referral to ensure the health, safety and welfare of young people and to this end must have suitable and suffi cient policies and procedures in place. Scottish Fire and Rescue Services acknowledge that they serve a diverse multicultural community and this should be taken into account when planning and delivering activities with children and young people. Scottish Community Fire Safety Forum The Scottish Community Fire Safety Forum (SCFSF) has responsibility to develop, monitor and review this strategy on behalf of all eight SF&RS. To achieve this they will: Support SF&RS implement the strategy and draw up action plans. Where practicable access training and resources to develop key initiatives. Network at national level with key stakeholders and interest groups. Ensure that the strategy and action plans are widely circulated and partners consulted on changes or amendments. Regularly review the strategy and outcomes. Regularly disseminate and share information and good practice. The Scottish Executive, Chief Fire Offi cers Association (Scotland) and HMIFS wish to acknowledge the work of the SCFSF Working With Young People Group in preparing this development plan and consulting with young people and interest groups. 8
Introduction This Youth Development Plan sets out the principles and priorities for improving the communication and engagement between Scottish Fire and Rescue Services (SF&RS) and young people, in partnership with the Scottish Executive, Local Authorities, Educational Services, Youth Organisations and other partner agencies. SF&RS recognise that young people are part of and make a positive contribution to our communities and are committed to help meet their needs, expectations and aspirations. This development plan outlines the commitment of Fire and Rescue Services to take positive action that will enable young people to realise their full potential and become responsible citizens. It underpins and supports the development of SF&RS work with young people and is the result of consultation with young people and the many services, agencies and organisations that represent the interests of young people. The plan represents a policy commitment to work with young people to improve the quality and range of services provided for young people by Fire and Rescue Services in Scotland. It also confi rms our determination to work in partnership with communities, services, agencies and youth organisations to ensure the health, safety and welfare of young people and also reduce the burden on communities of Fire and Rescue Service related anti-social behaviour, that includes: Deliberate Fire Setting Attacks on Crews Malicious Fire Calls Fire Hydrant Damage and Misuse Unsafe Driving Chief Offi cer Brian P. Sweeney QFSM PhD MA Community Fire Safety Champion 1
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are pleased to give an undertaking to develop new and innovative ways to: Work in partnership with others to engage effectively and professionally with children and young people. Prioritise assistance to disadvantaged, disenfranchised and vulnerable young people, including persons with disability, new communities, black and minority ethnic groups. Improve young people s access to safety education, advice and information. Promote life long learning by recognising the achievement and attainment of young people. Build organisational capacity to ensure the delivery of high quality services to children and young people. Improve the quality of life, citizenship and life skills of young people. Make learning available, challenging, interesting and enjoyable for all. Fire and Rescue Services acknowledge that working with young people also provides staff development opportunities and job satisfaction - everyone benefi ts. Key Outcomes By engaging with young people on a process of learning and development SF&RS will be seeking the following key outcomes: The reduction of operational demand for Fire and Rescue Services The reduction of child/youth accidents and injury Improved community relations with young people 2
5. To ensure that staff working directly with young people meet all statutory Child Protection requirements and are effectively monitored and supervised. 6. To identify and meet the specifi c or specialist training needs of staff that work with young people. 7. To ensure that training provided for work with young people is high quality and linked to National Occupational Standards or other recognised qualifi cations. 8. To determine how best to recognise, value and appropriately reward work with young people. 9. To work towards development of a specialist role of working with young people within the Integrated Personnel Development System. 10. To establish robust systems and processes for monitoring and evaluating work with young people. 11. To identify and disseminate information, guidance and good practice on working with young people. Summary The main purpose of Fire and Rescue Service work with young people is to provide personal development opportunities, principally (but not exclusively) through Fire and Rescue Service related training and safety educational activities. Through contact with Fire and Rescue Services, young people will be encouraged to make the most of their capabilities and to become responsible, active and caring members of their communities. Fire and Rescue Service undertake to act as role models for young people and actively promote the principles of inclusion, fairness, equality and diversity at all times. 7
3. To participate in the work of youth justice teams and other services and agencies with the aim of reducing youth crime and anti-social behaviour. 4. To work with partner agencies to establish information and data sharing arrangements that support effective inter-agency working, ensure confi dentiality and meet statutory legal requirements. 5. To work with partner agencies to target fi re and rescue expertise and resources at children and young people most in need, and provide suitable referral arrangements with appropriate agencies and services. 6. To work with educational establishments, youth organisations and other partner agencies to include fi re safety awareness and skills as a part of an integrated, cross-curricular approach to risk education and accident reduction. 7. To work with partners to develop a national child accident and injury reduction strategy. OBJECTIVE 3: Ensuring that Fire and Rescue Service staff working with young people do so in ways that are safe, effective and professional. Key Actions 1. To ensure the health, safety and welfare of young people engaged in Fire & Rescue Service events or activities. 2. To establish work with young people as a mainstream activity for the Service, which may be undertaken by all staff with the appropriate skills and training. 3. To establish a working group to co-ordinate Youth Development on behalf of Scottish Fire and Rescue Services. 4. To ensure that staff have the relevant knowledge and skills to work with young people that they may engage with in the course of their duties. 6
Partnership Working SF&RS recognise that working in partnership with communities, agencies and young people is the most effective way to successfully deliver services for young people. In particular we will improve communication and involvement with services, agencies and youth organisations that represent the interests of children and young people including : Scotland s Comissioner for Children and Young People (SCCYP) YouthLink Scotland The Scottish Youth Parliament Young Scot Dialogue Youth RoSPA / Scottish Accident Prevention Council (SAPC) To do this we want to seek the views of young people and work collectively to improve services for young people through consultation and active participation in community planning. Our commitment The SF&RS believe that work with young people should be a positive educational experience, promoting the values of citizenship and contributing to personal and social development. To further this SF&RS will: Treat young people with understanding, dignity and respect and recognise the positive contribution that they make to local communities and wider society. Communicate and engage with young people in ways that respect and are sensitive of race, religion, culture, abilities and gender. Increase awareness and understanding of the work of the Fire and Rescue Service with children and young people and amongst partner agencies. 3
To do this we will draw on the expertise of others to ensure the highest quality of service is being delivered, this includes voluntary and professional organisations and services such as: The Fire Service Youth Training Association Prince s Trust (Scotland) National Youth Groups and Organisations Educational and Social Services Antisocial Behaviour and Youth Justice Services Sacro and Victim Support Services Integrated Children s Service Planning Child Protection Reform Team Priorities and key actions It is the policy of the SF&RS to work in partnership with our local authorities and communities to deliver services that meet the needs of young people and we will achieve this by: 1. Engaging with young people to enable them to be successful learners, confi dent individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors to society at home, work, leisure and sport. 2. Working with partners to challenge and change young peoples perception of risk to themselves and others from fi re, accident and anti-social behaviour and promote the health, safety and welfare of young people 3. Ensuring that Fire and Rescue Service staff working with young people do so in ways that are safe, effective and professional. all I need is somewhere safe to grow up and all I want is something to do. Anon aged 14 4
OBJECTIVE 1: Engaging with young people to enable them to be successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors to society at home, work, leisure and sport. Key Actions 1. To develop participation by young people, in the design, delivery and evaluation of programmes or activities being created to meet their needs. 2. To involve young people in developing practice on risk awareness and the prevention of accidents and injuries. 3. To recognise the contribution of young people through the promotion of nationally recognised schemes of achievement. 4. To actively promote positive engagement and communication between SF&RS and young people. 5. To provide work experience and educational placement opportunities for young people. 6. To develop young people as peer educators, co-workers or volunteers in promoting fi re safety and accident prevention within families and communities. OBJECTIVE 2: Working with partners to challenge and change young people s perception of risk to themselves and others from fire, accident and anti-social behaviour and promote the health, safety and welfare of young people. Key Actions 1. To work with families, carers, volunteers and others, to offer youth training, recreational and other activities that improve life skills, achievement and employment prospects of young people. 2. Deliver a range of activities to steer young people away from behaviour likely to place themselves or others at risk. 5
Scottish Fire and Rescue Services Information on fire safety for young people is available from: www.infoscotland.com (Blaze Aware) Information and guidance on Community Planning is available at: www.communityplanning.org.uk Youth Development Plan Good practice on engaging with communities is contained within the National Standards for Community Engagement produced by Communities Scotland. www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk Information on youth work and the needs of young people is available from: www.youthscotland.org.uk www.youthlink.co.uk www.sccyp.org www.nya.org.uk www.childreninscotland.co.uk Information, guidance and good practice on anti-social behaviour is available at: www.antisocialbehaviourscotland.com www.dontgivefireahome.com Scottish Fire and Rescue Services are committed to improving the development and delivery of Community Safety in Scotland.