Local Youth Commissioners

Why introduce Local Youth Commissioners (LYCs)?
Following the appointment of the UK Youth Commissioner (and team) there has been a high demand for similar roles to be created at local levels throughout the UK. At YouShape 2015 the concept of Local Youth Commissioners was discussed and an overwhelming amount of participants said they were in favour of them. Details of the outcomes of YouShape 2015 can be found in the report available from www.scouts.org.uk/youthcouncil

Local Youth Commissioners bring a huge number of benefits to local Scouting and help lead the work towards our Youth Shaped strategic objective. They are not the end product of the strategy; they are an enabler and champion for the Youth Shaped work locally. Local Youth Commissioners are appointed at either District or County level in England.

What they do?

As a member of the District Leadership Team the District Youth Commissioner works in partnership with the District Commissioner and Chairperson of the District Executive Committee. The role is to ensure that young people from 6 – 25 years are involved and engaged in every decision that shapes their Scouting experience locally and to empower young people to share their ideas and have a meaningful voice in planning, implementing and reviewing their programme and opportunities.

• Visit Section Meetings to talk and inspire young people and young adults about youth-shaped Scouting and what is happening within their District.
• Support Groups and Sections to provide local youth engagement opportunities including forums
• Together with the District Scout Network Commissioner, and Programme Coordinators, encourage Scout Network members to shape and lead projects and activities for the District Scout Network.
• Encourage youth leadership at all levels within Groups and Sections (Young Leaders, Sixers & Seconders, Patrol Leaders & Assistant Patrol Leaders etc.)
• Work with ADCs (Sections) to support Leaders and other adult volunteers to embed youth shaped Scouting.
• Work with all members of the District to ensure that the views of young people are represented in decision making.
• Encourage the creation and greater participation in meaningful Youth Forums
• Appoint, support and manage a Youth Forum Lead.
• Ensure that recommendations from the Youth Forum to the District Executive Committee and District Team are considered and appropriately implemented and that an effective method to provide feedback on outcomes to the Youth Forum is in place.

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