Welcome to the Phased Renewal of Youth Theatre Activities toolkit! This toolkit provides an overview of the key areas that local groups should use to plan their activities in line with the Scottish Government’s Strategic Framework.  The guidance will continue to be updated in the weeks and months ahead.

We recommend starting with Youthlink’s FAQs and Youth Scotland’s Readiness Guide then reviewing the other resources in this Toolkit for youth theatre specific considerations and some handy links and examples.

The toolkit has been a collaborative effort by the YTAS  Sector Recovery Working Group (SRWG), established since June 2020. Youth theatre leaders from across Scotland have helped to identify what youth theatre groups need to deliver in line with Scottish Government guidelines, as the country recovers from the impact of COVID-19.

For further support information and resources you can also look at YTAS’s COVID-19: Youth Theatre Sector Guidance Toolkit.

Guidance and support

• The Scottish Government has published guidance for workers and employers on returning to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic.
• Law at Work have a Coronavirus: Employer’s Resource Centre which includes a ‘Return to Work Checklist and Toolkit’.
• The mental health charity Mind has support information specific to Coronavirus, including a section on how to support young people.
• Your local youth work or community organisations may be able to provide support or signposting in relation to any training or youth work needs that arise.
• YouthLink Scotland have information and resources on digital youth work.
• YTAS provides and signposts to regular training opportunities on Facebook, Twitter and our monthly newsletter. We also have free online Resources and Toolkits available on our website, including specific COVID-19: Youth theatre sector guidance.

Health and wellbeing

• SAMH has produced a Wellbeing Self-Assessment questionnaire
• For tutors doing face-to-face activity, organisations may wish to use lateral flow testing. Kits can be ordered here > https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests. You get seven test kits and you can report the results here > https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result

Planning Training

• Youth theatres should start by considering their unique company aims (i.e. return to mission) and any specific circumstances for their participants and staff.
• Then think about any required changes or updates to your admin or safeguarding processes and procedures, e.g. What admin process do you need to have in place to prepare for a Covid-19 incident reported within the group or a potential second spike or lockdown?
• Staff should be involved in discussions and decisions and planning for any required adjustments to activities. This will help to inform all aspects and build confidence in your approach.

Consideration should be given to:

• The different experiences, anxieties or confidence that staff might have in relation to returning to work. It would be good to plan additional time and opportunities for staff to reflect on this together.
• How you will address any individual staff member’s concerns about returning to work.
• The different approaches required for training different types of staff involved in your youth theatre activity, including volunteers.
• Your ongoing staff training and support plan.

Delivering training

• Consider what training challenges you may have, along with available budget and digital training options.
• Assess your staff’s knowledge and skills in relation to digital meetings and youth work and if necessary, add in time and training for staff to increase their digital skills and confidence.
• Schedule regular staff skill share sessions to provide peer support and new practical ideas for youth theatre delivery.

Training content

To include:

• An overview of the new Coronavirus policy and protocol of the organisation and the venue (i.e. social distancing and hygiene measures) and how new ‘rules’ will be implemented.
• Consideration should be given to how any breach of the rules will be addressed and expectations should be clearly outlined for staff, parents/carers and participants.
• An overview of updates to first aid and incident reporting procedures.

To be considered for inclusion:

• Mental health support

Reviewing training

• Set ongoing review points and updates with staff.
• Provide opportunities for staff to share and reflect together on what they have learnt from applying their new training.