Children in Scotland and YouthLink Scotland are exploring the idea of developing training Top-up for arts practitioners and they would like to know what you think!

Top up (training opportunities partnership): is a fresh approach to bringing the skills necessary to work with children and young people to artists in Scotland in partnership with organisations doing the most progressive work in these fields.

The project will include theory, practice and practical modules and be open to practitioners from any art form. The training will include the following: child protection, legislation, business development, working with groups, principles of working with children and young people, developing inclusive practice, consulting young people, dealing with challenging behaviour, devising projects and sessions and a placement in an arts or community organisation.

The artists will finish the project enthused and inspired, with a clear understanding of issues related to working with children and young people.

It is hoped that the first year would be an opportunity to pilot the project, seeking accreditation in the following year. The model could then be replicated throughout Scotland by local authorities and organisations involved in the field.

Children in Scotland and Youthlink would like to hear from you if you have an interest in the training, particularly in response to the following:
• What is your profession?
• Have you recognised or identified the need for a similar training?
• What is that need?
• Would you (as an artist) be interested in taking part in training like this? Why?
• Does your organisation have an interest in this kind of training?
Why?
• Would you be interested in attending a focus group to discuss the development of this project?

Information received will be treated confidentially and will help inform the development of this initiative.

Please reply to the above by email: cruckley@youthlink.co.uk, or fmaher@childreninscotland.org.uk
Tel: Chrissie Ruckley on 0131 313 2488 or Fiona Maher on: 0131 222 2427.