Karen MacMaster Highland Council 26 th November 2013

1. Equality and DiversityWorking together to support children and families from Scotland’s Travelling Communities Karen MacMaster Highland Council 26th November 2013

2. Terminology • Important to realise that Scotland’s Travelling people are not one homogeneous group • 4 distinctive and separate groupings • Gypsies/Travellers • Occupational Travellers • New Travellers • Roma

3. Taking Stock … • Issues … “For Gypsies and Travellers there is a constant tension between maintaining their lifestyles and cultures and participating fully in public education.” Inclusive Educational Approaches for Gypsies and Travellers within the context of interrupted learning 2003. (Page 7) LTS Inclusive Educational Approaches for Scotland’s Travelling Communities within the context of interrupted learning. Second edition. 2011. page 14 • Solutions… • What Gypsies and Travellers want from Education? Adults and children. • How we work with children and families – good practice.

4. Solutions…What do Gypsy and Traveller parents want from Education, for their children? Literacy (reading and writing) Numeracy (to count, add, multiply etc.) I.T. (see this as important in society and need the young ones to know about it) Driving Theory (to have the skills to pass the theory test) Certificates (short practical accredited courses – mono-blocking, chainsaw etc.)

5. What do the Young People want for their futures? To be healthy To be happy To be in a relationship and have children To have money To have friends (probably within their own community) To have freedom

6. Supporting children who experience interrupted learning Supporting families in accessing education Supporting schools Supporting a multi-agency approach to working Developing and supporting cross authority links Developing resources Developing and delivering training

7. Proactive activities! Support teaching – needs led Regular meeting with schools Regular meeting with site managers Regular meeting with health and site manager Regular parent meeting on Traveller Site to discuss health and education issues Nursery session and occasional teaching for Primary and Secondary on Traveller Site Emotional literacy/Transition support Secondary group meet in Youth Centre 2 young people attending mainstream college course and other provision course Training delivered to different ‘audiences’ Children and young people ‘awareness raising activities’

8. Positive and negativeaspects of education for Travellers and Staff who work with them + • Importance of literacy and numeracy and ICT and practical subjects • Benefits for their future • Skills they use outwith school (but, do we know about them and acknowledge them?) • Support and influence Thanks to C. Yavuz, Educational Psychologist for access to research information - • Interrupted learning • Prejudice from peers and the community • Negative about self • Lack of support and influence

9. Positives in Highland Children and young people engage Parents supporting and engaging Continued learning Better future prospects Possible links to college/work opportunities Possible knock on effect for next generation? Better understanding of the Traveller culture and how we work with this, through interaction with families and targeted training Meeting needs within our obligations

10. Moving forward… Continue to proactively work with families, schools, other agencies and authorities Attainment and achievement monitoring and next steps Further developing transition from nursery to Primary 1 Enhanced emotional literacy support for secondary aged young people with identified needs

11. Karen MacMaster Highland Council karen.macmaster@highland.gov.uk