MINUTE OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HELD ON THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2015 AT ROSEBERY HOUSE, EDINBURGH

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1 MINUTE OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HELD ON THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2015 AT ROSEBERY HOUSE, EDINBURGH Present: A Linkston, T Boffey, R Allan, A Morrell, D King, B Stevenson, F Falconer, J Wilson, K Burke, R Gibson and L Macdonald. ACTION In Attendance: J Sweeney (Chief Executive), D Gillespie, M McLeod, T Frew, G Lithgow and S Dow. 1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES A Linkston welcomed everyone to the meeting. A particular welcome was made to new Board member K Burke attending her first meeting. Round table introductions were made. Apologies were received from R Gallacher, M Pitcaithly, L Fergus and J Linden. 2. MINUTE OF LAST MEETING (24 September 2015) The minute of the last meeting was approved as an accurate record without amendment. 3. BUSINESS ARISING 3.1 CLDMS Annual Conference J Sweeney advised that he had attended the full event and delivered a workshop on accreditation. Unfortunately the workshop to be delivered by B Miller on the National Youth Work Strategy was cancelled at the last minute due to ill health. 3.2 Cabinet Secretary Meeting Follow Up J Sweeney reported that a meeting had taken place with Juliet McAlpine, Interim Strategic Director of Lifelong Learning at Education Scotland. Discussions took place around the meeting with the Cabinet Secretary and potential future budgets. 3.3 Meeting with First Minister The meeting will take place on 25 November. J Sweeney, A Linkston and S Hunter will attend. The 3 main topics of discussion will be Attainment, Sustainability for the Sector and the Capital Fund. Feedback will be provided at the February meeting. 3.4 #iwill Anniversary Events The second Anniversary of the #iwill campaign will be celebrated across the country on 24 November. These events will take place simultaneously with a live video link to London. The Scottish event will be held at the Sky Academy in Livingston.

2 3.5 Gavin Whitefield Retirement J Sweeney confirmed that a letter offering our good wishes was sent to Gavin. 4. CONFLICT OF INTERESTS None declared. 5. FINANCE & AUDIT COMMITTEE 5.1 Management Accounts to 30 September 2015 (BOD/39/15) B Allan reported that the 6 month results show additional income of 75k which contributes to reducing the original Budget deficit of 179k. B Allan advised that the pension liability is still an unknown factor. The 259k is based on the 2015 Actuaries Report, the figure for this year will not be confirmed until March D Gillespie reported that a meeting had taken place with Lothian Pension Fund to discuss Transferring liabilities relating to the transfer of staff from Community Learning Scotland. It was felt that a fair hearing had been given and LPF will follow up with Scottish Government. Feedback will be given when available. 5.2 Risk Register (BOD/40/15) J Sweeney advised that the last meeting of the Finance and Audit Committee had agreed an overall update of the Register which has now been done. L Macdonald asked whether risk appetite, maturity of the Board & Executive was something that could be considered. J Sweeney suggested that this could be an input at the Board 24 Hour Event. J Wilson suggested the use of arrow indicators which would show any change in risk or probability at a glance. 6. POLICY FORUM 6.1 Verbal Report of Meeting held on 17 November 2015 F Falconer advised that the original date of this meeting had been changed to accommodate attendance. B Payne represented the Policy Forum at the recent Digital Strategy Stakeholder meeting. F Falconer asked M McLeod what the feedback from that meeting was. M McLeod advised that she is due to meet with Martin Dewar who chaired that meeting to discuss. Thereafter next steps will be agreed. The Policy Forum debated the possibility of holding a discussion on the future of Youth Work in Scotland. It was felt that this would be an opportunity to showcase good practice but also to look at data collection to back up the claims we make as a sector. A Morrell advised that an HMIe Aspect review is about to get underway with the focus on P7 Transition. With regard to Children s Rights A Morrell also noted that there are a number of HMIe Inspection Pilots running from January to March which can be fed in to. J Wilson reported that SDS is currently collecting data on year olds but the question would be how we access and use the intelligence. D King asked if the Research groups that have recently been established are 2

3 feeding in to the Policy Forum. J Sweeney advised that one had been developed from the original Universal research group and the other from the National Youth Work Strategy. J Sweeney saw no issue with the Policy Forum making links. F Falconer noted that the Policy Forum had also discussed the possibility of looking into securing a PhD student to undertake research on our behalf. S Hunter is speaking at the Play Scotland AGM today. The Play sector welcomes the links being made to youth work. Discussions are still taking place on the possibility of a joint conference. Research on the Adolescent Brain will be also considered as an area of work. The annual workplan for the Forum will be finalised and presented to the Board for approval in due course. The Terms of Reference for the group have been updated and will be presented to the February Board meeting for approval. FF F Falconer advised that A MacLeod, the Police Scotland representative has moved to another post and has been replaced by J Devoy. The Board will receive the minute of the November meeting when available. FF/SD A Linkston thanked F Falconer for his report. 7. NVYOS 7.1 Draft Minute of Meeting held on 8 October 2015 For Information (BOD/41/15) B Stevenson reported that this had been another well attended, positive meeting. It was held at the new Prince s Trust premises and proved to be an excellent facility. The group had discussed the possibility of establishing a cross party group on Youth Work given the perception that the cross party group on Children and Young People tends to focus on children s issues. It was agreed that further exploration was needed and that this should be revisited after the 2016 Holyrood elections. M McLeod updated the group on the recent changes to PVG. The group was concerned about the changes to the tariff that now dictates that only more serious convictions are disclosed to organisations. R Gibson shared these concerns. A Linkston thanked B Stevenson for his report. 8. NATIONAL YOUTH WORK STRATEGY CONFERENCE 8.1 Progress Report J Sweeney advised that the Conference and Expo will take place on 27 January at RBS Conference Centre, Gogarburn. There will be a site visit on 27 November and the planning group will meet again on 9 December. Everyone who has been approached has shown great willing and enthusiasm. L Macdonald asked if there would be involvement of young people. J Sweeney confirmed that approx one quarter to one third would be young people. T Frew noted that case studies, statistics and ideas were all welcomed. 3

4 J Sweeney reported that live streaming of the event was also being considered. The Hall Aitken research findings will be shared as part of the event. L Macdonald noted that the Young Scot Locality Reports being produced could prove useful. 9. SCOTTISH YOUTH WORK WEEK CONFERENCE AND AGM 9.1 Verbal Feedback M McLeod reported on the excellent turnout despite the current economic climate; 170 delegates, 14 workshops and 2 speakers. There has been mixed feedback on the academic inputs. The feedback also clearly sets out delegates desire to have 2 workshops in the afternoon in addition to a morning workshop. Three workshops could be logistically difficult but we will certainly look into it. It was felt that the panel session was a bit rushed with not enough question/discussion time. The absence of the Minister was noted by delegates particularly as she attended other events later that same day. B Stevenson thought the AGM was a bit flat following the Conference. It was pointed out that there was really not a lot for debate or discussion this year hence the speed of the AGM. The point that some in attendance had to be in Glasgow early that evening for the Herald Society Awards was noted. There was discussion again about the timing of the event and whether it should take place during Youth Work Week (YWW). The question was asked again as part of the evaluation and the majority, whilst noting how busy that week was, wanted it to go ahead during YWW. 10. CALL TO ACTION 10.1 Verbal Report on Visits by Young People to MSPs M McLeod reported that the Manifesto had been very well received. 188 MSPs and Scottish MPs will be visited in total. It was hoped that these would be completed in the coming weeks but some visits may slip into January. A couple of negative responses to Twitter posts have been received and are being dealt with. On the whole the campaign has been very successful. L Macdonald noted that this had been a very ambitious campaign and was delighted to see the coverage. L Macdonald noted the success of the CashBack Selfie Campaign too. G Lithgow reported that the Justice Department had been delighted with the campaign and its impact on social media. 11. YEAR OF YOUNG PEOPLE 2018 (BOD/42/15) 11.1 Progress To Date In support of the paper previously circulated to Board members, L Macdonald highlighted that the campaign is very much young people led. A steering group of children and young people, supported by Young Scot, Scottish Youth Parliament and Children in Scotland has been established to co-design what shape the year should take. This will include a number of events where Scottish Government Ministers and officials will listen to young people from across Scotland to hear about 4

5 their hopes and aspirations for the Year of Young People Recommendations on the overarching themes, the core thematic programme and the young people s ambitions for what the outcomes for the Year should be will be made to the Minister for Children and Young People in early January You can sign up to the mailing list at SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM REPORT (BOD/43/15) 12.1 Report The report was circulated in advance for information. G Lithgow noted that the date of the CashBack Busk had changed to 16 December as the original date clashed with the anniversary of the Bin Lorry Crash. The Senior Management Team Report was noted. A Linkston thanked everyone for their work over the past few months. 13. CONSULTATION RESPONSES 13.1 Creating a Fairer Scotland: Employment Support Consultation YouthLink Scotland Response BOD/44/15 The response was noted Parenthood & Pregnancy in Youth People Strategy Consultation YouthLink Scotland Response BOD/45/15 The response was noted British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly Committee C (Economic Affairs) Report on Youth Unemployment Written Evidence BOD/46/15 The evidence was noted. M McLeod reported that the formal report of the Scottish Affairs Committee UK Parliament - Work of the Scottish Affairs Committee Inquiry has now been produced and YouthLink Scotland is mentioned on 5 occasions throughout. 14. PUBLICATIONS 14.1 The Link Magazine Arts, Culture & Heritage Special 14.2 YouthLink Scotland Annual Report Youth Work Changes Lives Holyrood 2016 A Call to Action Final Version For Information 5

6 14.4 Youth Work Outcomes Infographic 15. EQUALITIES REFLECTION Board members reflected on items covered. SYWW Conference F Falconer observed that there had been no non-white or disabled delegates at the conference. L Macdonald asked that this be kept in mind for next year. Call to Action Visits D King asked if the visits by young people could be analysed e.g. gender balance, etc. It was agreed that a short report would be produced on its completion. /MMcL 16. AOB 16.1 Board Vacancies J Sweeney stated that he had discussed the possibility of Laura Chow, RBS Community Programmes Manager taking up the last remaining co-option vacancy with A Linkston. Laura is very keen to join the Board. In addition to her present role, Laura has expertise in fundraising and was a youth worker in Hong Kong. Board members were happy for the Chair and CEO to meet with Laura to progress and report back to the February Board meeting. L Macdonald asked when the last Board Skills Matrix was done. J Sweeney agreed that this could also be looked at as part of the 24 Hour Event One Million Voices Research Report Launch M McLeod noted that she had attended the launch of the World YMCA One Million Voices Research report yesterday (18 November). Scottish data will also come out of the report. YMCA dedicated the research in the name of John Knox Electric Wheelchair J Sweeney advised Board members that one of our members of staff has recently been unable to use her manual wheelchair due to a decline in her condition. Staff wanted to do something to help out and encouraged a fundraising drive. In addition to the funds raised a grant was secured. YouthLink Scotland made up the shortfall. We are delighted that the new wheelchair will be available at the end of the week and the staff member will be back with us in the office next week. A Linkston congratulated all who had been involved. 17. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The date of the next meeting will take place on Tuesday 23 February as part of the 24 Hour Event. Details to be confirmed. 6