A LABOUR MSP’s proposals to guarantee access to youth work services to all young people in Scotland have taken a step forward as a consultation gets underway.

Shadow children and young people minister Martin Whitfield’s private member’s Youth Work (Scotland) Bill aims to ensure a right to the services and mandate them to provide particular support to disadvantaged and marginalised groups, backed by a new national Youth Work Fund.

The consultation on the Bill is now underway and planned to run until February 21 2025, but it has already attracted the support of Scotland’s Children and Young People’s Commissioner Nicola Killean.

She said: “Youth workers are front-line workers who make a huge difference to the lives of the children they work with.

“Many youth work services, particularly in the third sector, experience insecure funding and that impacts their ability to delivery sustained support to children.

“This Bill will ensure that all children have the right to access quality youth work while prioritising children who are furthest from having their rights realised.”

Dr Khadija Coll, One Community Scotland project manager, called the proposals a “significant step forward.”

She said: “As an organisation that works closely with BME and disadvantaged young people, we are particularly encouraged by the Bill’s emphasis on universal access and fairness.

“This Bill has the potential to create meaningful and lasting positive change.”

Ellie Craig MSYP, chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament — which has campaigned to protect youth services from council cuts — added: “Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament believe that young people across Scotland should have a right to high quality youth work services.

“With these plans, together we can make progress on Scotland becoming the best place in the world to grow up.”

Ahead of the consultation launch, Mr Whitfield said: “My proposed Youth Work (Scotland) Bill would be a transformative piece of legislation that would make youth work a cornerstone of every young person’s life in Scotland. 

“I have seen the incredible impact that youth work has on building confidence, resilience, and life skills.

“This legislation recognises and celebrates that value, enshrining it in law to guarantee opportunities for generations to come.

“By tackling inequality and investing in our young people, we are building a stronger, fairer Scotland where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said:“The Scottish Government is committed to delivering positive outcomes for every young person, particularly our most vulnerable learners and marginalised groups.

“Ministers are aware of Mr Whitfield’s Member’s Bill and will consider it carefully.”