The inspection team observed the work of almost all of the full-time staff, including direct observation of 20 youth work sessions. Meetings and discussions also took place with the deputy head of youth service, the AYO, all of the full-time staff, 12 part-time youth workers, a representatives sample of staff from voluntary registered units and three members of teaching staff from the schools visited. The inspection team examined a wide range of documentation provided by the organisation, including area development plans, youth worker annual action plans, evidence files and samples of moderation records. In addition, members of the team attended two SELB board-wide youth work conferences.

The focus of this baseline evaluation falls within the three strategic priorities identified in the most recent report by the chief inspector, namely that: those with the responsibility for an individual’s education need to build more effectively on the skills, knowledge and attributes which the learner has developed in the preceding phase; those with the responsibility for an individual’s education need to help learners understand better the connections in their individual programmes of learning, and how that learning connects to opportunities for them and for their communities; and educational leaders need to be confident that they are including all learners and are working together to help them achieve their full potential.