Matching services to local needs – how place-based learning can make services more effective

Issued by Children in Scotland

Creative new approaches that can help the children’s sector workforce develop and deliver essential services more effectively throughout Scotland – including place-based and family learning – will be debated at a major conference in June.

How rural and urban development benefits from paying closer attention to children by developing their understanding of ‘place’ and community is the theme of A Sense of Place: environments, community and services for young children, run by Children in Europe and Children in Scotland in conjunction with The Highland Council.

Using what is available in the local environment, culture, community and family, can support children’s learning and effective cross sector and partnership working. Urban communities can learn important lessons from rural service providers in making the most of these resources: at the conference Norwegian farmer Jostein Hunstad will describe Medås, the kindergarten he founded 10 years ago after wolverine attacks decimated his sheep, while Pam Rodway will introduce Crofting Connections, which helps young people learn traditional skills and safeguard their crofting heritage throughout the Highlands and Islands.

Practitioners and policymakers from across the UK also join speakers from Italy, Norway and Belgium to look at policy issues, including the Pisa educational performance indicators and developing an integrated approach to education and economic development.

Michael Foxley, Leader of The Highland Council’s Administration, said: “The Highland environment offers great opportunities for children’s education. With a focus on promoting the benefits of place-based learning, and using the local environment and resources to personalise and enhance education, The Highland Council welcomes the chance to share good practice with delegates from across Scotland and Europe at this event.”

Norwegian farmer Jostein Hunstad said: “The kindergarten provides opportunities for children to learn to take care of their local environment, to make their own food, and to know and respect local tradition and culture. It helps the children develop into responsible and environmentally aware adults who see and make use of the challenges and opportunities in their local environment.”

Notes to Editors