About Us

The Scottish Youth Housing Network (SYHN) exists to encourage the development of good practice and sharing of information on housing provision and related services for young people. Its aims are to:

1. assist frontline workers and agencies in keeping up-to-date on relevant legislation, national policy, innovative projects and effective practice;
2. encourage frontline workers and agencies to develop innovative projects and engage in effective practice;
3. create and foster links between frontline workers and agencies to share experience and expertise;
   and through (1), (2) and (3) to:
4. ensure that youth housing and support services across Scotland have a shared understanding of what constitutes a high quality and effective service.

Its objectives are to:

• provide low cost and up-to-date training for individuals and agencies working on the frontline of youth housing and homelessness;
• provide an annual youth housing conference with a focus on the needs of individuals and agencies working on the frontline of youth housing and homelessness;
• publish a regular newsletter and occasional briefings on innovative projects, effective practice, relevant legislation, and national policy;
• maintain a website, including an archive of newsletters and briefings;
• actively engage young people to ensure their views on housing and support are (i) shared throughout the network and (ii) contribute to planning network activity.

Steering Group The work of the network is co-ordinated by a steering group drawn from subscribers. The steering group provide their time on a voluntary basis and do not claim expenses for meetings. They also prepare and lead sessions at the annual conference without charge.

Young People The network has a strong commitment to involving young people. Each year, between 8 and 10 young people who have experienced youth housing and homelessness issues participate in a youth focused activity at the network's Homing In conference. These activities are designed both to engage young people and also to generate information about their needs and views around housing and support. This information is then disseminated via the network.

The Scottish Youth Housing Network was originally set up in 1991 to encourage development of good practice and sharing of information on young people's housing. It's work is supported by grant funding from the Scottish Government.