{"id":838,"date":"2025-10-15T16:45:57","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T15:45:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/dgauthorityhandbook\/?page_id=838"},"modified":"2025-11-13T12:37:46","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T12:37:46","slug":"easy-read-youth-engagement-officers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/dgauthorityhandbook\/?page_id=838","title":{"rendered":"Easy Read Youth Engagement Officers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How schools work with Police Scotland<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Schools will think carefully about when to work with Police Scotland Officers, seeking guidance and support from colleagues, policies, and the law. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the first instance, the matter should be reported to the Headteacher to be dealt with under normal school discipline procedures unless judged to be a serious incident.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Schools will deal with issues of behaviour or discipline and will only contact Police Scotland Officers if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>something happens in school that involves behaviours that have hurt someone either verbally or physically that need the police, or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>when something has happened outside of school where Police involvement would be necessary and appropriate, and which is having an impact within the school.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who do we work with?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/public\/dgauthorityhandbook\/uploads\/sites\/9000\/2025\/10\/15164314\/Authority-Handbook-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-839\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Community Police Officers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>These officers work in a local area but are also linked to <strong>primary schools<\/strong>, where they provide in school support linked to curriculum and community engagement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/public\/dgauthorityhandbook\/uploads\/sites\/9000\/2025\/10\/15164416\/Authority-Handbook-3-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-840\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Youth Engagement Officers (YEO)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>These officers are linked to <strong>secondary schools.<\/strong> There are 8 officers who are linked to the 16 secondary schools. They mostly work during school hours and on site in the schools. They can be called on to do deal with other police matters so may not always be able to speak to you straight away.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Youth Engagement Officers also work with young people to prevent behaviours that might cause harm to themselves or others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This might involve:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>working with young people to influence attitudes and behaviours<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ensuring that young people feel safe and protected<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>making young people aware of the impact their actions might have and deter them from crime in the first instance or to prevent future reoffending<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>supporting the best interests of all children (Getting it Right for Every Child)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>to support children and young people to reduce the longer-term impact of toxic traumatic and adverse experiences they may have had (Adverse Childhood Experience)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>providing a consistent approach to youth engagement within schools and communities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>promoting a supportive and positive environment for young people to flourish and contribute to the wellbeing of communities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How the Police will engage with children and young people<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/public\/dgauthorityhandbook\/uploads\/sites\/9000\/2025\/10\/15164836\/Authority-Handbook-3-3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-844\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>During the course of an investigation, police are entitled to ask questions of anyone. Where a pupil is a potential witness or suspect that person must supply their name and address when asked.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Police guidelines say that where a pupil is to be interviewed, a parent or carer should, if possible, be present. If it is not possible, a teacher should be present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Where a pupil is to be interviewed as a witness, they should be advised of this.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Where a pupil is a suspect and is to be interviewed, they will be cautioned\/ advised of their right of silence and need not answer any question put to them, other than supply their name and address.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>No pupil at school should be interviewed at school unless it is essential in the interests of justice to obtain the pupil\u2019s statement without delay. If it is found necessary to interview a pupil at school, the interview should take place in the presence of the Head teacher, or a teacher deputised for the purpose.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/public\/dgauthorityhandbook\/uploads\/sites\/9000\/2025\/10\/15165031\/Authority-Handbook-3-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-845\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p><strong>How are incidents reported by children, young people and Parent or Carers. <\/strong>A call or report can be made via <strong>101, <\/strong>and if it involves an incident at a school, but is reported out with school hours, it may be a response officer who comes to your home address and carries out a criminal enquiry, however they will likely link with the <strong>YEO <\/strong>for the school.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/public\/dgauthorityhandbook\/uploads\/sites\/9000\/2025\/10\/15165127\/Authority-Handbook-3-5.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-846\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p><strong>If&nbsp;Police are involved, the school will have no control of when you will be contacted<\/strong>, how long any investigation may take or when they will be able to report back to you. The <strong>YEO <\/strong>will talk to the young person and parents or carers. The <strong>YEO <\/strong>will also talk with the school about any action that they can take to help resolve the incident.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Incidents in relation to online safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/public\/dgauthorityhandbook\/uploads\/sites\/9000\/2025\/10\/15165233\/Authority-Handbook-3-6.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-847\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p><strong>Online safety incidents are part of our digital world.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Online Safety Act 2023 outlines key areas that can help parents and young people understand how to stay safe online.  This <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/online-safety-act-explainer\/online-safety-act-explainer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Online Safety Act explainer publication<\/a> provides an easier to read format.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>This act covers user to user\u2019s service providers and regulated search service providers. They have duties to<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>remove illegal content<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: initial\">protect children<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: initial\">user empowerment<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: initial\">ensure content of democratic importance, news publisher content and journalistic content<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: initial\">ensure freedom of expression and privacy<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>prevent fraudulent advertising<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/public\/dgauthorityhandbook\/uploads\/sites\/9000\/2025\/10\/15165907\/Authority-Handbook-3-7.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-850\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>Under S184 of the Act \u2013 It is an offence to encourage or assist serious self-harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This can be online, in person or through any form of communication, so not solely relate to \u201conline activity\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/public\/dgauthorityhandbook\/uploads\/sites\/9000\/2025\/10\/15165934\/Authority-Handbook-3-8.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-851\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>Under S127 of the Communication Act 2003 it is an offence to send by means of a public electronic communications network a message or other matter that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene, or menacing character; or causes any such message or matter to be so sent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Issues relating to specific provision within schools should be escalated as follows:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>School staff members: via the Headteacher, who may then speak escalate through the GIRFEC Practice Log <a href=\"mailto:GIRFECPracticeLog@dumgal.gov.uk\">GIRFECPracticeLog@dumgal.gov.uk<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>School and Youth Engagement Officer<strong> <\/strong>via Police Scotland line management.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parental Concerns or Complaints via the school or Council Complaints Handling process <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dumgal.gov.uk\/complaints\">Making a complaint &#8211; Dumfries and Galloway Council (dumgal.gov.uk)<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Email Education and Learning Complaints <a href=\"mailto:EducationandLearningComplaints@dumgal.gov.uk\">EducationandLearningComplaints@dumgal.gov.uk<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/public\/dgauthorityhandbook\/uploads\/sites\/9000\/2025\/10\/20104525\/Easy-Read-Youth-Engagement-Officers.pdf\">Download a printable version of this webpage<\/a> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How schools work with Police Scotland Schools will think carefully about when to work with Police Scotland Officers, seeking guidance and support from colleagues, policies, and the law. In the first instance, the matter should be reported to the Headteacher to be dealt with under normal school discipline procedures unless judged to be a serious incident. Schools will deal with issues of behaviour or discipline and will only contact Police<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/dgauthorityhandbook\/?page_id=838\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19366,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-838","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/dgauthorityhandbook\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/838","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/dgauthorityhandbook\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/dgauthorityhandbook\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/dgauthorityhandbook\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/19366"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/dgauthorityhandbook\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=838"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/dgauthorityhandbook\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/838\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1272,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/dgauthorityhandbook\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/838\/revisions\/1272"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/dg\/dgauthorityhandbook\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=838"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}