The SCRA has developed an engagement strategy with several key strands, including developing new tools to help children participate in hearings. A key part of the strategy is a modern apprenticeship program for young people aged 16-19, which provides placements within SCRA aligned with SVQ qualifications. The program aims to give apprentices exposure to enriching experiences. SCRA plans to recruit more apprentices in 2012 and have apprentices help with national consultations.

1. Changing
for
Children
SCRA Engagement Strategy
‘The Gain after the Pain’
www.scra.gov.uk
Elliot Jackson

2. Engagement Strategy www.scra.gov.uk
- The key strands
 Develop and Introduce new tools to assist children and young people
to participate in their Hearings;
 Revision of all SCRA’s communications materials, including website
content;
 Identification of good practice from other agencies or systems;
 Commissioning and publication of new research in co-operation with
partners;
 Inclusion of young people in the recruitment of staff;
 Engagement with partners across the Hearings System; and
 Development of a Modern Apprenticeship programme for young
people aged 16-19.

3. Modern Apprentices in SCRA www.scra.gov.uk
- The programme
 Targeted recruitment in partnership with Glasgow City
Council and Who Cares? Scotland
 Appointed four young people aged between 16-19 on a two
– year basis studying a SVQ qualification
 Operates on a shared costs (50/50) model based on the
attainment of SVQ modules
 Internally appointed a Participation Officer to manage the
programme
 Modern apprentices are deployed across the organisation in
placements that are aligned to their SVQ modules

4. Modern Apprentices in SCRA www.scra.gov.uk
- Their role and contribution
The
Service
User
The The
Active Change
Learner Agent
The The
Policy Research
Advisor Assistant
The
Quality
Inspector

5. Modern Apprentices in SCRA www.scra.gov.uk
- Sharing the learning
 Identify a lead person with the right skills and understanding of
young people and how they learn
 Ensure that you can deliver the opportunities to evidence the
SVQ qualification
 Be acutely aware as an employer of exposing young people to
high stress/high risk situations
 Use flexible ‘time out’ – that you might not do with other
employees
 Maintain good links with the host authority and partners
 Ensure a meaningful and tangible work programme with
exposure to enriching experiences
 Be prepared for young people to fall out of the programme at
some point - but make it okay and not seen as a failure

6. Modern Apprentices in SCRA www.scra.gov.uk
- The Next Steps
 Recruit four new modern apprentices early in 2012
 Offer external placements with partners within the Children’s
Hearings System
 Modern apprentices to play an active part in SCRA 3-yearly
national consultation of children, young people and their
families
 Continue to place the VOICE of the CHILD at the heart of what
we do

7. www.scra.gov.uk
Contact details:
Elliot Jackson, Head of Planning and Strategy
0300 500 1609 or elliot.jackson@scra.gsi.gov.uk
Jennifer Orren, Participation Officer
0300 500 1527 or jennifer.orren@scra.gsi.gov.uk