Barnardo's Scotland Children and Young People Engagement Report – Religious Observance and Religious Education in Schools

Appendix 2

Across all activities, Barnardo’s adhered to our Voice and Influence Quality Standards which take the form of our non-negotiables and apply to all our work without exception. The measures taken under these standards are detailed below:

Safely

Making sure children and young people are kept safe and we work in a way which is trauma-informed and responsive.

• Measures in place:

  • Focus groups delivered via schools and community youth groups to ensure that trusted adults are available and their safeguarding policies and protocols are followed should any child or young person become distressed.
  • Focus groups delivered via Barnardo’s services to ensure that young people participating are supported by staff trained in trauma-informed approaches.
  • Safeguarding statement as part group agreement at the start of sessions.

Ethically

Making sure how we work is ethical, fair and respectful, and informed consent is obtained.

• Measures in place:

  • Privacy statement provided prior to focus group delivery.
  • Verbal consent sought from young people at the start of each session.

Inclusively

Making sure we ensure equity of opportunity, actively removing barriers to working with us.

• Measures in place:

  • Equality Impact Assessment carried out and informed focus group guidance/schools approached to participate.
  • Engaged with those not in school and youth groups to ensure inclusivity by engaging with local authority services who work with young people not in education.

Meaningfully

Making sure the opportunities we provide are genuine and at the right time, so children and young people can have a real impact.

• Measures in place:

  • Schools identified via local authority Directors of Education and Barnardo’s. Barnardo’s worked collaboratively with young person’s steering group to develop resources/sessions that were meaningful to young people.
  • Young person’s steering group were offered the opportunity to work towards a Youth Scotland Hi5 award.
  • Young person’s steering group and young people involved in the engagement project were given letters of thanks from the Cabinet Secretary of Education and Skills detailing how their contribution would be used.
  • Findings from the engagement project will be used meaningfully by the Scottish Government to inform the development of guidance on the updated withdrawal process to support schools.