Youth Vision - East Lothian's Youth Work Strategy
Feedback updated 20 Jan 2026
We asked
We’d like to thank all the young people, organisations and teams involved in the development of the Youth Vision, including those who took part in the public consultation. Your contributed time, insight, and expertise have helped shape a document that reflects the needs and aspirations of young people.
You said
The Youth Work Strategy was co-developed by young people, youth organisations, East Lothian Council, and key partners.
A Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG) worked with professionals from 2021–2022 to consult peers and draft a Youth Vision. In 2025 a Short Life Working Group undertook consultation and engagement with around 200 young people to revisit the Youth Vision and to find out what young people wanted from Youth Work across East Lothian.
Children and Young People told us they wanted to feel safe, heard and included.
A final draft of the youth Vision was developed and consulted on. 74 young people and 42 adults (youth workers, parents and carers, partners participated in the Autumn 2025 public consultation, leading to final revisions.
We did
The East Lothian Youth Vision was approved by East Lothian Education and Children’s Services Committee in November 2025. The East Lothian Youth Vision is our Strategy for Youth Work over the three years from 2026 to 2029
Link: East Lothian Youth Vision
This document sets out our goals for 2026–2029. It outlines how we will deliver positive impacts for young people, focusing on three core goals:
- Children and young people feel safer in their communities
- Children and young people’s ideas and experiences will be heard, listened to and acted upon
- Children and young people feel included in their communities
To make this happen, we’ll work collaboratively and track progress through an oversight group. Each year, we’ll publish an Impact Report to celebrate achievements, share stories, achievements and reflect on challenges.
One of our first priorities in 2026 will be to work with a group of young people to produce a young person-friendly version for the Youth Vision.
Overview
The East Lothian Youth Vision sets out our strategy for youth work over the next three years. Our aim is for young people in East Lothian to be safe, heard, and included through high-quality youth work.
Co-created by young people, youth work organisations, East Lothian Council, and key partners this document outlines how we’ll achieve positive outcomes by using our resources effectively. A youth-friendly version will be created by young people.
We’re seeking your feedback before the strategy is finalised.
Why your views matter
Youth work plays a key role in improving life chances and tackling inequalities in East Lothian.
We want to hear from young people, parents, youth workers, and partners: Do the Vision’s goals and outcomes reflect what matters to young people in East Lothian?
What happens next
This public consultation will close at the end of September.
The views and comments from the consultation will be reviewed and changes will be made to the Youth Vision accordingly.
The Youth Vision will go to council for approval in November.
We hope to launch the youth vision with young people and youth workers in early 2026
Thank you for your help in this process.
Areas
- All Areas
Audiences
- Area Partnerships
- Children & Young People
- Communities
- Community Councils
- Community Groups & Organisations
- Community Planning Partners
- East Lothian Council Staff
- Local Residents
- Parents & Guardians
- Parents and Guardians
- School staff
- Stakeholders
- Third Sector
- Young people
Interests
- Children & young people
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