Resources
Find information and links to resources which will assist you in your work with young people who are disengaged from school.
- Behaviour
- Schools
- Families
- Additional support
- Young people looked after
- Mental health
- Substance misuse
- Children's services
- Young people's voices
Behaviour
In this section you will find a range of resources which provide invaluable insights into dealing with challenging behaviour and establishing and maintaining positive relations with young people
Hands on Scotland
This website is a one-stop shop for frontline workers, giving practical information and techniques on how to respond helpfully to children and young people’s troubling behaviour, build up their self-esteem and promote their positive mental wellbeing.
Respect Me
Respectme, Scotland's Anti-Bullying Service was launched in March 2007. Respectme is a Scottish Government funded service managed by SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health), in partnership with LGBT Youth Scotland. The work of respectme work is driven by a focus on children's rights: it's the right of every child and young person not to be bullied, and the service wants bullying to be seen as a rights issue, not as a normal part of growing up.
Overcoming violence: Anti-violence in Scottish Schools
The overcoming violence project is an initiative of the Edinburgh Peace and Justice Education Centre. The centre has offered funding to set up local initiatives in seven Scottish schools working on ways to reduce violence.
Restorative Justice in Scotland
This new online resource provides information about restorative justice. Find out more about what restorative justice involves, how it relates to your practice and its implementation in schools across Scotland.
Behaviour Support Tool Kit
This practical toolkit includes materials to encourage self-motivation, affirmations, helpful tools to promote home/school partnerships, and top tips to build positive behaviour skills in children.
Take me to more information about this resource.
Inclusive education in primary schools; supporting children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties
This Barnardos resource is full of practical techniques helping mainstream teachers and staff to develop new skills and confidence to support children with additional support needs. It was launched in April 2006. The unique pack provides tried and tested exercises and advice which involve working in peer groups, classes and across the school rather than isolating and trying to fix the child. It also includes strategies for supporting teachers and parents, and for working with volunteers in the community.
You can buy this resource by following this link
Barnardo’s also provides a one day training course based on this resource.
To find out more about this please contact:
Sharon McGinty on
0131 314 6641
or email Inclusive.ed@barnardos.org.uk
Better Behaviour Scotland
A central resource for all school staff including information on Executive led initiatives such as restorative practices, staged intervention, pupil motivation and the solution orientated school programme.
http://www.betterbehaviourscotland.gov.uk/
Schools
Find links to resources which provide information about improving and developing schools, including curriculum flexibility
New! – The Autism Toolbox: An Autism Resource for Scottish Local Authorities & Schools
This leaflet is an advance notice of the publication of "The Autism Toolbox" which will be published at the end of June 08.
New! – Allied Educational Research Scheme
The Applied Educational Research Scheme has two key objectives: to build the capacity across the Scottish Higher Education system for high quality research into schools; to produce research in support of Scottish schools with particular reference to the issues facing the lowest attaining 20% of pupils.
Journey to Excellence Website (LTS)
HMIe’s new resource The Journey to Excellence has been launched as an online resource in partnership with LTS and the Scottish Government. The website focuses on the ten dimensions of excellence for schools and early year’s centres and is of importance to everyone concerned with the school experience of disaffected and disengaged children and young people.
Count Us In: Promoting Understanding and Combating Sectarianism – Practical
Examples from Primary, Secondary and Special Schools
Practice for Positive Relationships: 1: Positive about Pupil Participation
A brief introduction to good practice, exploring what teachers, school communities and education authorities can do to promote pupil participation
Practice for Positive Relationships: 2: Reaching out to Families
A brief introduction to good practice, exploring what school staff, school communities and education authorities can do to involve parents.
Take me to this resource
Learning and Teaching Scotland
The Learning and Teaching Online service provides resources and advice for teachers, school managers and others involved in education.
Families
Working effectively with young people and their families can often have a positive impact on their experience of school. In this section you will find a range of resources which will help you in developing your knowledge and skills in working with young people and their families
New! – NCH: It’s not your fault: Practical Information for children, young people and parents going through a family break-up
This NCH website has been developed to support families going through a break-up.
New! – NCH: End of my tether
This resource is for parents/carers to help them cope when their teenager(s) are having problems.
New! – Practitioner resource for parents as partners in Early Learning
This resource provides a framework to involve parents in early years learning, improving their children’s communication, social and emotional skills.
Take me to more information about this resource
What is an AifL School? Parents as Partners
The Assessment is for Learning parents' triangle is a practical resource for use with groups of parents. It describes the 10 key features of an AifL School to show how parents can become involved in discussions about children's learning.
Ask the Family: National Standards to support family-led decision making and Family Group Conferences (FGC) in Scotland
CHILDREN 1ST has published a document which aims to help children at risk of being taken into care remain within their families.
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Improved Parent Zone website
The Parent Zone team has improved the content, structure and appearance of the Parent Zone website to make it more parent friendly and attract more users. It is our belief that when parents are involved in their child’s education, the outcomes are better for the child. This belief underpins the Scottish Government’s drive to improve parental involvement
http://www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk/Learning and Teaching Scotland – Supporting Parents
Parents, carers and other family members have a crucial role to play in helping children to achieve their potential in school. Research shows that pupils who regularly discuss schoolwork with their parents perform better than those who don't. Where parents are actively involved in their children's learning it has a positive effect on their children's attainment and achievement.
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/wholeschoolissues/supportingparents/index.asp
Parentline Scotland
Parentline Scotland is a service provided by Children 1st. It is a free, confidential telephone line for anyone caring for a child in Scotland. Children 1st also provide a range of fact sheets written specifically for parents and covering a range of issues including relationships, bullying and dads. You can find out more about the service and download fact sheets at the link below:
http://www.children1st.org.uk/parentline/
Young Carers
Young carers are children who look after someone in their family who has an illness, a disability, a mental health problem or a substance misuse problem. Young carers take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult.
Additional support
In this section you will find resources which are relevant to your work with young people with additional support needs
New! – Enquire website for children and young people
This easily accessible site is a great source of information where children and young people who require additional support for learning can download useful guides, find out about local youth clubs or join in with the young person’s ‘blog’.
New! – Working with hard to reach young people: a practical guide
This document provides practical guidelines for professionals who seek to improve their engagement with hard to reach young people.
Scottish Mentoring Network
The Scottish Mentoring Network is the national body and voice of mentoring in Scotland. By building a network of members and acting as a knowledge hub of best practice in Mentoring, Scottish Mentoring Network hope to encourage more people to mentor in the best way possible and be mentored when they need it.
Aiming for high
Replace fear with fun and help children prepare for the move to high school. This big box pack is full of games, activities and an animated film to help children deal with their anxieties. It brings together proven Barnardos methods, based on years of successful work in supporting children through this crucial time.
Take me to more information about this resource.
The Scottish Society for Autism
The Scottish Society for Autism works together with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), their families, carers, and other organisations, agencies, and individuals in Scotland to provide and promote exemplary services and training in education, care, support and life opportunities for individuals of all ages with ASD.
http://www.autism-in-scotland.org.uk/Enquire: The Scottish Advice Service for Additional Support for Learning
Enquire is a national service with links to local networks. Enquire provide independent advice and information to families of children who need extra help at school, to children and young people themselves and to professionals who work on their behalf.
Learning and Teaching Scotland – Inclusion
The inclusive education web resource brings together a wealth of up-to-date information, useful resources and connections to relevant organisations.
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/inclusiveeducation/index.asp
Young people looked after
There is a shared concern to improve the school experience of children and young people who are looked after. This section highlights some resources which will help inform practice.
Leaving Care
This website gives comprehensive news and information to care-leavers and professionals, from regional and national contacts to legal advice, links to resources and events. Coming soon will be a tool that will enable young people to rate their own leaving-care service. The site is also intended to become a focal point for the sharing of good practice.
Reality Check
Improve the support you give to care leavers by listening to their feedback. Based on young people’s own accounts, this DVD and toolkit gives carers a valuable opportunity to reflect.
Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum
Scottish Throughcare & Aftercare Forum aims to improve support for young people leaving care by influencing the development of national policies and local support services.
http://www.scottishthroughcare.org.uk/Learning with Care: The Education of children looked after away from home by local authorities
This resource contains specific recommendations for social work and educational services provided by Local Authorities.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/education/lacr-00.asp
Who Cares Scotland
Who Cares Scotland is an independent organisation who work with children & young people with experience of being looked after in Scotland. They provide a range of services including: Advocacy, Advice, Information and Support.
http://www.whocaresscotland.org/
Mental health
Young people experiencing emotional distress often have difficulty with schooling. In this section find out how best to work with young people affected by mental health issues.
New! – Whatever Life Brings: Understanding Your Child’s Mental Health
This booklet outlines for parents and carers the things that keep children and young people in good mental health and suggests what can help when children are troubled.
New! – Yes You Can! Working with Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Yes You Can! has been developed for people working with, or likely to be working with, survivors of childhood sexual abuse, with a particular focus on the impact that childhood sexual abuse can have on mental health and wellbeing.
Young Scotland in Mind Forum Young Scotland In Mind is led by Barnardos and funded by HeadupScotland.
This visionary forum brings together voluntary sector organisations from across Scotland, to communicate effectively, build on collective strengths and influence the development of policy and practice.
About Self-harm – A Guide for Young People: Why You Self-harm and How to Seek Help
This Barnardos resource has been written to help young people who self-harm reflect on why they do it and also how they can seek help.
For children’s sake – anti stigma pack
Stress is another strain on the children of parents with mental health problems. For these children, who are often their parent’s carer, there are so many issues to contend with. Stigma is a cruel and unnecessary addition – let’s stamp it out – for children’s sake
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Positive Mental Health Forum for Young People
In collaboration with mental health charity Penumbra and a group of young people the Executive has created a profile page on Bebo where young people are encouraged to absorb, talk and share information on how young people can maintain their mental wellbeing with their network of friends. The aim of the forum is to raise awareness of positive mental wellbeing and help to create a young people’s ‘mental health movement’. It is targeted at young people aged between 12-18 years old.
Talking 2 Ourselves
Designed and written by young people, this site provides information and advice on mental health issues.
Take me to this resource.The School of Emotional Literacy
The School of Emotional Literacy aims to support and train all adults, professional and personal, who live and work with children in a variety of methods, models and practices which will ensure that all children receive a sound grounding in emotional literacy - that they will be able to recognise, understand, express and manage their own emotions and those of others successfully. The school offers certificated training opportunities, consultation and also has an extensive range of resources.
Take me to more information about this resource.
HeadsUpScotland
The purpose of HeadsUpScotland is to make a major contribution to the activity already underway in Scotland to improve the mental health and well-being of children and young people.
http://www.headsupscotland.co.uk/
Learning and Teaching Scotland – Health Promoting School
The National Health Promoting Schools Website has information and resources to help schools take positive steps towards better health and well-being.
http://www.healthpromotingschools.co.uk/
Depression In Teenagers
This website deals with the subject of depression in young people. It is intended that it be used as a resource to help users to recognise the symptoms associated with the condition as well as offering some suggestions about ways to combat these symptoms.
http://www.depressioninteenagers.com/
Substance misuse
In this section you will find resources which can help to provide guidance in respect of working with young people and families who may be affected by substance misuse.
Drinkaware Trust resources
Drinkaware Trust has developed a number of young people’s resources focusing on alcohol education which you can order or download from their website free of charge.
Fit for purpose
Assess your services capacity to respond to children, young people and families affected by substance misuse. This straight forward service development tool for managers and teams gives you an easy way to evaluate your current position and devise practical team action plans.
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Talk to Frank
The drugs awareness service has recently added several new games to its site. The games have been developed by teenagers with the aim of encouraging other young people to think about the risks associated with cannabis use.
http://www.talktofrank.com/
Fast Forward
Fast Forward is a national voluntary organisation based in Edinburgh. Fast Forward promote health through education by, with and for young people, focusing on the prevention of drug, alcohol and tobacco misuse.
http://www.fastforward.org.uk/
Children’s services
In this section you will find resources which support the development of children and young people’s services in Scotland.
New! - Cl@n Child Law
A new legal service for children Cl@n Childlaw aims to make the law available to children by delivering face-to-face not-for-profit legal advice and representation at a place and time that suits them. The service is initially available to children in the lothians.
Developing Evidence Based Practice in Voluntary Organisations: The Barnardos Experience
This resource outlines Barnardos evidence based approach to practice and service delivery.
LEAP: A manual for Learning Evaluation and Planning in Community Learning and Development: Revised Edition
A manual for participatory planning and evaluation in community learning and development.
LEAP: Worked Examples: Applying LEAP to real-life situations: Revised Edition
Worked examples of using the Learning Evaluation and Planning (LEAP) model to plan and evaluate community learning and development.
The right training to give young children the right start
This is an easy to read and useful resource for early education and childcare professionals as well as those involved in planning and delivering CPD and qualifications to the early education and childcare sector. The findings of this research have provided a solid foundation for planning and delivering current and future training opportunities to the workforce.
Walk the Talk
The Walk the Talk initiative will be of interest to a range of practitioners who are working to improve young people's health and wellbeing. Health professionals, those working in voluntary sector organisations and youth workers are specifically targeted.
Take me to this resource.
Peer Education Skills Training Project
PEST stands for Peer Education Skills Training but it also stands for young people taking action for themselves and their communities. The name PEST was chosen because young people are too often perceived to be a nuisance, as pests. The PEST project is about providing support, skills and training to young people and the organisations they are involved in so that they can make change happen, to be the solution not the problem.
Take me to this resource.LGBT Youth Charter of Rights
LGBT Youth Scotland’s Charter of Rights is an exiting new opportunity for organisations to demonstrate their commitment to LGBT young people and ultimately set a benchmark for the mainstreaming of equal rights for LGBT young people.
For more information on the Charter and to sign up, visit:
http://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/?id=17§ionId=32&introId=37
Children’s Rights Impact Assessment: The SCCYP Model
Scotland's commissioner for children and young people has developed a toolkit to enable policy makers to assess the impact of decisions on children. It will also seek to ensure that legislation complies with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Go to this resource
The Evidence Guide: Using Research and Evaluation in Social Care and Allied Professions
This new Barnardos training resource is aimed at a wide range of social care staff, designed to help locate, assess and apply research evidence in practice. It includes Powerpoint presentations, group exercises, handouts and pointers to other materials like books and websites.
http://www.barnardos.org.uk/theevidenceguide
Save the Children: The Recruitment Pack
Save the Children and the Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights have produced a new resource for organisations wishing to involve children & young people in the recruitment and selection of the staff who work with them and in their interests.Go to this resource
Young people's voices
In this section you will find resources which provide young people with the opportunity to have their say about issues which affect them.
Involving Children and Young People in Decisions about Their Education: Guide for Professionals
This Enquire guide is about involving children and young people with additional support needs in decision making, from whole-school issues to personal learning and support.
SCCYP's Participation Portal
The Portal brings together a wide range of information and resources on participation for those working with children and young people. The site aims to keep anyone interested in participation work to keep up-to-date with new and relevant resources, case studies and events.
My Life
This site from the Children’s Society aims to help under 18s have their say on what’s important to them, what problems they face and what could be done to improve their lives.
Rural Youth Network
Rural Youth Network has set up its new web site to unite those working with young people in more isolated, rural areas.
Take me to this resource.
Say it your own way
How can we truly involve children in decision making? Do we really listen and allow them to communicate comfortably? This guide and CD-ROM resource have been developed to help professionals: explain assessment process to children; help children express their feelings with creative methods and develop an insight into children’s understanding of what is happening.
Right Connection Scotland
Right Connection Scotland (RCS) is a new project within Save the Children Scotland that connects young people to their rights, providing the opportunity to discuss and take action on topics and issues which affect them.
