LAYC Training Courses for 2025/26

This course covers the essential safeguarding and child protection procedures as detailed in the Inter-agency Child Protection Procedures for Edinburgh and Lothians. This training is for all staff with management responsibility who may need to make a decision about what to do regarding a concern for a child or young person. This interactive session aims: • To provide an understanding of the current legislation and procedures relating to Child Protection • To explore the role and responsibilities of a CPO officer in a voluntary youth group • To use case studies to consider responses to various child protection issues • Input/discussion about digital safety issues Due to high demand, we only allow two members of each organisation to attend a course. If further members of your organisation would like to attend, please still submit an enquiry and we will place them on a waitlist. 👥 in person at LAYC Free to members only.

Do you handle food as part of work or volunteering with children and young people? This course is designed for all food handlers working in all aspects of the food industry, including: catering, cafés and for those in caring and voluntary situations involving food preparation or handling What do you get out of it? Learn skills for the workplace and the home prepare food safely and confidently! Satisfy legal requirements in the workplace Ensure the safety of your service users The course includes a short examination and a certificate on successful completion of the course (both sessions most be attended). Due to high demand, we only allow two members of each organisation to attend a course. If further members of your organisation would like to attend, please still submit an enquiry and we will place them on a waitlist. 👥 in person @LAYC For LAYC members only.

This course is for youth workers, play workers and volunteers who wish to gain knowledge and experience of First Aid. This interactive course will include: Recovery position, CPR and treatment for shock, Disorders of breathing, Hypothermia, Disorders of consciousness, Wounds and bleeding, Injuries to bones and soft tissue, Burns and scalds, Poisons, Miscellaneous conditions. Certification is for 3 years and each individual receives a comprehensive handbook Due to high demand, we only allow two members of each organisation to attend a course. If further members of your organisation would like to attend, please still submit an enquiry and we will place them on a waitlist. 👥 in person at LAYC £35 members, £70 non members

Want to feel more confident and clued-up when talking with young people about smoking, vaping, and nicotine pouches and how it all ties into mental health and wellbeing? This interactive session blends essential facts with engaging activities and ready-to-use resources to help you have meaningful conversations that matter. What You’ll Get: • A solid understanding of how tobacco, vaping and pouches affect young people’s health and mental wellbeing. • The confidence to talk openly and honestly with young people about these issues. • A toolkit of engaging resources to make your sessions more impactful and relatable. Whether you're new to the topic or just want to level up your knowledge, this session is designed to help you make a difference. 💻 Online via Zoom Due to high demand, we only allow two members of each organisation to attend a course. If further members of your organisation would like to attend, please still submit an enquiry and we will place them on a waitlist. Free to members, £30 non-members.

This exciting course will offer youth workers and volunteers from youth groups the chance to undertake a nationally recognised SQA qualification in youth work. The PDA in Youth Work is made up of three units: Understanding and Exploring Youth Work, Engaging with Young People and Delivering Youth Work. Participants will be required to complete all three units, three assessments and undertake a practical placement and observation within their workplace or the youth club/group where they volunteer. The course takes part over multiple dates throughout the year: 2/10/25 9/10/25 20/11/25 27/11/25 22/1/26 12/3/26 Please email emma@layc.org.uk to book on to this course. Entry Requirements • All applicants/participants must be 18 + (Young leaders aged 16+ – 18 who are suitably experienced may also be considered) and be able to demonstrate that they: • Have 1 year experience of regularly working/volunteering in a youth work setting. • Have completed the Youth Scotland Ready for Youth Work 2-day course (in person or online 5 sessions) or equivalent covering core competencies as per the National Youth Work Induction Checklist. • Have completed a Child Protection Awareness course in the past 2 years. • Currently work or volunteer in a youth work setting. • Have written permission from their workplace or the youth group where they volunteer, confirming they can be observed delivering youth work as part of the PDA course. • Are able to attend all the outlined training sessions and undertake all the required assessments. The PDA course will take place on the following dates and times: Unit 1: Thursday 2nd and 9th October Unit 2: Thursday 20th and 27th November Unit 3: Thursday 22nd January and 12th March In person @LAYC Free to members, and CEC sessional youth & Children - please note the market value of this course is over £500

Edinburgh and Lothians-based organisations are warmly invited to bring the young people they work with to the Come and Try Youth Awards event! This event is a fantastic opportunity to engage with the amazing activities that promote nature, adventure, leadership, youth voice and many of the essential skills we need to thrive. Immerse yourself in the fun workshops, see young people's reactions and discover the different ways you can integrate youth awards into your own programmes. What’s more, you get to meet the incredible people who design and organise the awards across Scotland and fellow youth groups from across Edinburgh and the Lothians. This is a unique opportunity to gain insights, ask questions, and collaborate on how these awards can benefit local young people. LAYC members have 6 tickets reserved per organisation. Staff should sign up using this booking form (https://www.laycbookings.org.uk/booking/) and LAYC will then be in touch with a separate form to sign up young people. If you'd like more spaces, let us know by contacting enquiries@layc.org.uk, and we will get back to you if any spaces arise. Places are allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis. Buffet lunch is available to all participants. 👥 in person at Nicolson Square Venues

This introductory workshop is designed to increase your understanding and raise awareness of how to manage behaviour that is challenging in a youth work setting. This interactive session will cover: • Framing the behaviour that presents as challenging, • Understanding what drives behaviour • Exploring strategies for working with behaviour that presents as challenging. • Positive strategies to support behaviour – what to say, what to do and how to be Free to members. £60 non-members Due to high demand, we only allow two members of each organisation to attend a course. If further members of your organisation would like to attend, please still submit an enquiry and we will place them on a waitlist. In person at LAYC

Who is it for? Youth workers,teachers, school nurses, and anyone working with young people with additional needs who want to better support their sexual wellbeing. What you’ll gain: ✅ Confidence in supporting young people with additional needs sexual wellbeing ✅ A framework to help you and your workplace decide what education and support to provide, and when to provide it ✅ Up-to-date knowledge on key topics like sexual expression, online safety, relationships, LGBT+ inclusion, and consent To make the most of this session, there is an ask to complete a short e-learning module in advance. It takes about an hour and covers vital topics including young people's rights, key policies, guidance, and Scottish law around relationships, sexual health, and parenthood. Due to high demand, we only allow two members of each organisation to attend a course. If further members of your organisation would like to attend, please still submit an enquiry and we will place them on a waitlist. Free to members and healthy respect network. £60 non-members 👥 in person @LAYC

Edinburgh Disability and Neurodiversity training offer is aimed at professionals working across services who support children, young people, and families. This introductory session will explore: - A whole family approach to inclusion, with a focus on neurodivergent families. - Inclusive communication: language choices around neurodivergence and disability. - Creating enabling environments: an introduction to the *Capable Environments approach. - Reflecting on your service and personal practice to identify inclusive development needs 👥 in person @LAYC Due to high demand, we only allow two members of each organisation to attend a course. If further members of your organisation would like to attend, please still submit an enquiry and we will place them on a waitlist. Free to members, £30 non-members.

Ready for Youth Work is a practical course for youth workers and volunteers to ensure that they can: create a safe space for young people; plan, deliver and evaluate fun youth work sessions for young people; engage young people meaningfully and celebrate and recognise their achievements. Course content: Introduction to Youth Work introduction to Youth Participation Hi5 and Dynamic Youth Award Introductory Training Leading Games and Creative Evaluation Child Protection Awareness Trauma informed Practice Accreditation available at SCQF level 3 you will be asked to do some portfolio building in your own time. 👥 in person @ Longniddry Community Centre Free to members, non-members please contact LAYC for course costs

This course is for youth workers, teachers, school nurses, and anyone working with young people who want to better support their sexual wellbeing. What you’ll gain: ✅ Confidence in discussing sexual wellbeing with young people ✅ Up-to-date knowledge on key topics like online safety, relationships, LGBT+ inclusion, consent, pleasure, condoms, and services ✅ Practical tools to promote healthy, respectful conversations Due to high demand, we only allow two members of each organisation to attend a course. If further members of your organisation would like to attend, please still submit an enquiry and we will place them on a waitlist. 👥 in person at LAYC Free to members and Healthy Respect network. £60 non-members.

The Promise is the outcome of a comprehensive review of Scotland’s care system, demanding fundamental change in policy, practice and culture within organisations that work with children, young people, and their families. This training will focus on: • What it means to work with children in the care system and those on the edges of care • Looking at language, interventions and support available for you and your organisation Due to high demand, we only allow two members of each organisation to attend a course. If further members of your organisation would like to attend, please still submit an enquiry and we will place them on a waitlist. #KeepThePromise. Free to members, and CEC sessional youth & children workers and £30 non-members 👥 in person @LAYC