Working together to support Youth Groups in Fife

Joining Youth 1st

 
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Who can become a member:

Youth 1st membership is open to youth groups and other groups that use a youth work approach to work with young people. To become a full member of Youth 1st you should be able to demonstrate that are delivering community based youth work where:

  • Young people choose to participate. The young person takes part voluntarily. It is the young person’s decision to engage or to walk away.

  • The work builds from where young people are. The young person’s life experience is respected and young people are involved in shaping the agenda in negotiation with peers and youth workers.

  • The group recognises the young person and the youth worker as partners in a learning process. The young person is recognised as an active partner who can, and should, have opportunities and resources to shape their lives.

 

Why become a Member?

Your club/group membership means that you now have access to a whole range of services on offer from Youth 1st. You will receive:

  • Support and advice from the Youth 1st dedicated and experienced team.

  • Access to a range of training opportunities including Child Protection. First Aid Awareness, GIRFEC, Conflict Resolutions, Games, Awards, Programme Planning and other essential youth work training workshops. Also access to PDA in Youth Work, Introduction to Youth Work and Child Protection Officer Training, Training is delivered by qualified trainers from Youth 1st and partner organisations such as Youth Scotland.

  • Regular VYN E-Bulletins. Members can use the E-Bulletin to promote their groups activities, advertise for volunteers and much more.

  • Access to support with PVG Scheme Membership.

  • Access to fun events and activities such as Sports Taster Sessions, Arts and Crafts, Games Sessions, School Holiday Programmes and much more.

  • Access to established and successful youth work programmes such as B:activ and Climate Action Fife Youth Project.

  • Access to 10 FREE Hi5 or Dynamic Youth Awards via Youth Scotland and support.

  • Access a comprehensive insurance package that includes Public Liability and Employers’ Liability for youth workers/volunteers and members during normal club activities.  See below for details.

Minimum Standards

The protection and safety of young people is our prime concern, therefore, Child Protection, Health and Safety and Recruitment and Selection are considered by Youth 1st to be the minimum standards required to operate a safe youth work environment for both workers and young people. In order to meet both Youth 1st and Youth Scotland membership criteria you must have policies in place for: Child Protection, Health and Safety and Recruitment and Selection

Quality Standards

We pride ourselves in maintaining a high quality standard for membership in order to develop and support a safe environment for young people. All groups that are members of Youth 1st/Youth Scotland Network must agree to:

  • support the aims and activities of Youth 1st and Youth Scotland;

  • hold regular meetings and provide a suitable programme of activities in accordance with such aims;

  • have the following policies and procedures in place for - Child Protection, Health and Safety and - Recruitment and Selection;

  • implement checks on volunteers/staff as may be required by current legislation or local authority regulations;

  • keep accurate records of both membership and finance, and supply these to Youth 1st or Youth Scotland upon request;

  • operate on a ‘not for profit’ basis;

  • not be affiliated to or associated with any political party;

  • provide complete and accurate information as is required on application for membership;

  • pay a fee for each membership year as set by Youth 1st/Youth Scotland;

  • comply with such other conditions as may be prescribed by Youth 1st/Youth Scotland;

  • contribute up to a maximum of One Pound (£1) should Youth Scotland be wound up while being a member of the organisation.

  • As a representative of the group the main contact must become a member of Youth 1st and agree to the constitution of Youth 1st (SCIO)

All groups who are members of Youth 1st and Youth Scotland must endeavour to:

  • have a minimum membership of ten;

  • have a majority of the total membership in the 8 to 21 years age range;

  • hold at least two meetings or sessions each month between October and March inclusive;

  • charge a membership fee.

 
 

PVG Support

Youth 1st process PVG Scheme applications/Scheme Record updates for our member groups as part of the service we provide.

The PVG Scheme is a vital part of any Child Protection Policy and both individuals and employers are legally obliged to ensure all volunteers and paid members of staff (who are in regulated work with children, young people and vulnerable adults) are members of the PVG Scheme. Contact gayle@youth1st.co.uk to access the PVG Scheme support service.

New Group Support

Youth 1st offer support to people who want to set up a local group for young people. We provide advice and support with governance, programme planning, fundraising, PVGs and Child Protection and other essential matters to consider when setting up a youth group. Our team have over 30 years experience in the youth work field and have been an essential support mechanism for many new and now established groups in Fife.

 
 
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Information about Youth Scotland 

Joining Youth 1st includes membership to Youth Scotland. Youth Scotland are the largest non-uniformed youth organisation in Scotland and deliver quality youth work programmes, information, resources, training and support to community based youth work.

For further information about Youth Scotland go to www.youthscotland.org.uk.

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Insurance Information

As an “employer” (of paid workers and volunteers), you have a legal responsibility towards your workers, volunteers, youth group members and the public. You could be held legally liable and risk being sued if a worker, volunteer, youth group member or a member of the public is injured as a result of your negligence or breach of duty. Liability Insurance is designed to pay any compensation and legal costs that occur if your youth group (you, workers, volunteers or young people) are found to be at fault (subject to terms and conditions of policy).

When joining Youth 1st you can ‘opt’; to include insurance.  The insurance scheme includes:

  • Employers Liability Insurance - £10m limit for any one claim.

  • Public Liability Insurance - £2m limit for any one claim (Public Liability cover has been extended up to 12 overnight trips per group per annum).

  • Member to Member insurance - £2m limit for any one claim

  • Product Liability Insurance - £2m limit for any one claim

  • You have the option of purchasing additional Public Liability insurance up to £5m.

  • Contents insurance – up to a maximum of £3000.

  • As part of the support package, Keegan & Pennykid Insurance Brokers will deal with any insurance queries.

  • The insurance is provided by Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance Group Limited.

 
 

How to Join

 

Either email admin@youth1st.co.uk for more details or click the ‘Join Now’ button below.