Collaborative Rights-based Approach to Improving Attendance and Learning Outcomes in School Communities - Edinburgh City Council: Identifying need and aims

There has been a decline in school attendance in primary and secondary settings, which is reflected in the data for Edinburgh City Council (Attendance and absence - Summary statistics for schools in Scotland 2024 - gov.scot). It is recognised that a deeper understanding of the experiences of young people facing barriers to school attendance is needed. This ensures Attainment Scotland Funding, including Pupil Equity Funding and Strategic Equity Funding, is meaningfully invested to support children and young people. 

Facilitating conversations with young people and parents/carers in the context of trusted youth work relationships, provided opportunities for open and honest exploration of issues experienced. As a result, helpful dialogue was established between youth work and school partners about how they can work collaboratively to address barriers.

The overall ambition of the project was to: 

• increase the understanding of young people’s experiences as learners in their schools and local communities 

• inform support strategies in school and effective partnership working between community-based youth work and schools to meet the needs of young people and their families 

• ensure resources are effectively deployed to maximise outcomes  

The key aspect of the work was to hear the voices of young people who were underrepresented and facing barriers to attendance and engagement in school. It was important to hear the voices of their parents/carers too. The process took a wider approach, but started by engaging families, evidencing social justice in action. 

• City of Edinburgh Council – (strategic leads and headteachers) 

• YouthLink Scotland’s Youth Work and School Partnerships team 

• Youth work organisations (third sector community based and local authority youth work team) 

• Lothian Association of Youth Clubs (LAYC)