Creating Inclusive Spaces for Young People
SU Scotland’s vision is to see EVERY child and young person in Scotland exploring the Bible and responding to the significance of Jesus.
How do we do that effectively if a young person struggles to concentrate, sit still, read or meet any of the other expectations placed upon them by how we usually explore the Bible?
It is so important to be inclusive and consider barriers that may exist that prevent children and young people from engaging, to then break these barriers down. Elaine Tait was appointed as SU Scotland’s first Additional Support Needs (ASN) Development Coordinator last April to enable us all journey together and learn to do this better.
Elaine says,“Being SU Scotland’s ASN Development Coordinator is truly exciting! It’s a privilege to bring together skills and experience of staff and volunteers so that together we can remove barriers that prevent young people from easily exploring the Bible and responding to Jesus.
All young people are wonderfully and uniquely made by God, just as they are, but some also have challenging life experiences. It thrills me to think of every young person saying, “At SU Scotland I meet people who care for me so much that they listen and put in place what I need to have fun and meet Jesus”.
The remit of Elaine’s job includes:
· ASN, including ASN schools and integrated units
· Areas of deprivation, also known as priority communities
· Those who are care-experienced
· Young people affected by a family imprisonment
· Refugees and asylum seekers
· Young people for whom English is an additional language
This is a vast remit which demonstrates the holistic approach of SU Scotland’s ASN ministry, focussing on the individual and not the label they may have been assigned.
40% of young people in Scotland have a noted ASN*. We should therefore assume that there are young people in our churches and youth groups who are dyslexic, autistic, have ADHD or are neurodivergent in another way. We should assume that there are young people who have a physical disability, are perhaps deaf, visually impaired or a wheelchair user. We should assume there are young people who have additional needs through life experiences such as poverty, trauma, anxiety, bereavement, etc. To enable them to belong, we need to ensure our activities are thoughtfully inclusive to all.
There are various resources and support available to churches so the Church becomes the beautifully diverse place God intends. Mark Arnold (Urban Saints) offers excellent online training, and also writes a blog The Additional Needs Blogfather – Passionate about helping everyone to belong. This is full of helpful suggestions and inspiring insights. The Additional Needs Alliance is also a fantastic wealth of experience that includes many individuals and organisations that offer a range of excellent services and resources to assist churches and other groups to make a real difference. If churches or youth projects are looking for in-person training, Elaine would be delighted to offer training and support. Similarly, if anyone reading this would like to say to their local ASN school, “What can I do to help?” please contact Elaine on elaine.tait@suscotland.org.uk.
* Classes and pupils - Summary statistics for schools in Scotland 2024 - gov.scot
