Working For Inclusion

• Programme activities
• The child as protagonist
• Working with diversity
• Rural and remote areas
• Working in an inclusive way
• Publications

Working with diversity, in particular ethnicity, language, disability and gender

Project partner leading on this theme:

Children in Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK www.childreninscotland.org.uk

Children in Scotland is the national agency for voluntary, statutory and professional organisations and individuals working with children ad their families in Scotland. It works to promote the interests of children, young people and families and is the English language publisher of Children in Europe magazine. For more information on Children in Scotland publications, visit www.childreninscotland.org.uk/publications

Children in Scotland has a particular interest in exploring policies and services which meet the needs of a diverse society and promote understanding of those needs.

Current activities include a project in response to the UK-wide Gender Equality Duty, 'Making the Gender Equality Duty Real for Children, Young People & their Fathers' (2008-11), which promotes the value and importance of involving fathers positively in their children's lifes. Children in Scotland also has experience of promoting the inclusion of children with additional support needs, and hosts Enquire (Scotland's national advisory service for additional support for learning) and Resolve: ASL (Scotland largest independent education mediation provider).

Discussion questions

• What is your understanding of "diversity" in relation to the early years? As well as ethnicity etc., does diversity include diversity of perspectives, paradigms and practices? 

• What qualities, values and ethics are required to work with diversity?
• What are the implications of diversity for workforce roles, qualifications and development?
• How can early years services be more representative, in terms of diversity, of the communities they serve - for example, how can services recruit more men and other under-represented groups?

Acitvities and outcomes

A study visit and national seminar took place in Scotland in September 2009, hosted by Children in Scotland.

Seminar speakers included Scotland's Minister for Children & Early Years and COSLA's (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) Spokesperson for Education, Children and Young People.

Study visit delegates included lead professionals from national and local government, education, pedagogy, health and early years services.

The following resources are currently available on the Working for Inclusion community webspace and here

Contact:
Sandra Mitchell
Project co-ordinator
0131 222 2430
Sandra Mitchell

Project Director:
Bronwen Cohen

Senior Admin Asst:
Kath Paterson