Activity Agreements

The Highland Council Activity Agreements project is supported by the European Social Fund

An Activity Agreement is a plan of learning and activity which an advisor will help a Young Person put together, so that when they’re ready they can move on from this to further education, training or employment. It can include volunteering, short courses, supported learning and practical experience including work experience placements.

Young people on Activity Agreements may be eligible for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

Who is eligible for an Activity Agreement?

Young People are eligible if they:

Have left school.
Are unable or unready to access other options after leaving school because of problems such as prolonged absence from school, disabilities or learning difficulties.
Are aged between 16 and 17 (up to 18 in some cases and up to 19 for those with additional support needs or learning difficulties).

In Highland Activity Agreements are targeted at young people who may need extra support to find work, training or further education this includes young people who:

Have additional support needs
Skipped school or were excluded
Have been in care or had support from a Social Worker
Look after someone else at home
Tried college or a job, and didn’t manage to keep going
Have other problems that make life difficult

How do you get an Activity Agreement?

Discuss this with a Careers Advisor, a Guidance teacher, a Youth Worker or Social Worker. They will make sure there is a Personal Advisor to work with Young people to set up a learning programme which meets their needs.

The Advisor is likely to be one of the following:

Skills Development Scotland (Careers) Advisor
Youth Development Officer
Social Worker
Barnardos Springboard Worker (for Young People leaving Care)
Employment Advisor (from Highland Council)

Further information

For more information about Activity Agreements please get in touch with your nearest Skills Development Scotland (Careers) Office or look at the information in our guides: