As part of our impact report blog series, Chris Gosling, Pupil Equity Funding Team Leader, Scottish Government, Scottish Government talks about how Young Scot works with local partners and the Scottish Government to improve attainment using the Young Scot NEC.
To find out more about Young Scot’s impact please read our Impact Report 2019/20.

‘Earlier this year, I found myself on the panel at the showcase event for the National Strategic Challenge in Dundee. The imaginative power of the presentations from young people, demonstrating how policy decisions could either help or hinder their progress, made a huge impact on me.’

Young Scot supports partners at North Lanarkshire, Dundee and Falkirk councils. Sharing good practice and providing mutual support across the three projects is a vital part of that role. With budget responsibility for a range of initiatives designed to tackle one of the trickiest challenges facing the nation, Chris appreciates the role that Young Scot has played in integrating the projects.

‘Young Scot is great to work with. Good people who will go the extra distance to solve problems. The team is always open to debate and discussion, and their commitment to engaging with young people, putting them at the heart of the decision making has been transformative.’

The projects harness the power of Young Scot’s established discount network and relationship with Local Authorities to help young people overcome the challenges that underly disadvantage.

‘Being able to access leisure facilities is vital. You can’t learn if your health is compromised. Transport is key too. A girl told me how travel discounts meant that she could visit her aunt. Quite a small thing on one level, but on another being able to maintain family links is exactly the sort of thing that can help maintain educational progress.’

Understanding how the policy works on the ground is just as important as the process of formulating the plan. Being able to observe the barriers that sometimes impede policy implementation, leads to better policy-making in the future.

‘We have to work right through the structures. Individual bus drivers are as important as CEOs. All must be part of the communication strategy. And young people, the focus of the policy, have to be right at the heart of what we do.’

The intention is that the work from these projects will encourage other Local Authorities to embed the work in their systems. And while COVID-19 threatens to increase inequalities, the National Attainment Challenge will continue with renewed determination.