Step It Up 2

Step It Up Training

YouthLink Scotland brought together practitioners from the sector to consider how best to establish suitable training opportunities for youth workers and managers relating to Step It Up. At this meeting it was proposed that YouthLink Scotland, in partnership with practitioners who have experience in the use of Step It Up, should co-ordinate a series of pilot training workshops.

In 2004 training workshops were piloted in Aberdeen, Highland, Renfrewshire and with the YMCA. Feedback was good and trainers Mark Meechan and Shona Stephen were impressed with the creative ways in which practitioners are planning to use the resource.

"The training events have been structured to meet the needs of a diverse group of practitioners from part-time staff to managers and to encourage participants to be creative in developing their own action plans, which they certainly have been." Mark Meechan. Stirling Council.

Further developments include the creation of a training guidance pack, which can be used by those keen to train staff in the use of the Step It Up materials. The training pack will be available for those enrolling on the 'Training the Trainers' events. The last event was in October 2005 and more are planned for 2006. See Training: Latest news for up to date information.

Sharing Practice

The pilot training events have demonstrated the importance of being able to share practice. YouthLink hosted a networking meeting for those interested in discussing the use of Step it Up materials with fellow practitioners, and in developing its use throughout Scotland in January 2005.

A database of practitioners interested in the use of Step It Up is currently being developed and will shortly be available on the website. Also, practitioners using Step It Up are encouraged to submit entries to our good practice database.

Current practice can also be shared through the discussion forum where Step It Up is featured.

For further information on Step It Up please contact Timothy Frew, Development Officer Training at tfrew@youthlink.co.uk