What is Youth Work?

Build the self-esteem and self-confidence of young people.

Develop young people’s ability to manage personal and social relationships.

Create learning opportunities and to develop new skills for young people.

Encourage positive activities.

Build the capacity of young people to consider risk, make reasoned informed decisions and take control.

Develop a ‘world view’ which widens horizons and invites social commitment.

Young people choose to participate:

Participation in Youth Work is voluntary – young people choose whether to engage. They decide for themselves, they have the freedom to walk away at any time. This increases their autonomy and builds trust in the Youth Work relationship.

Youth Work must build from where young people are: Youth Work operates within young people’s own personal and recreational spaces and in both their geographic communities and their communities of interest.

Youth Work should be informed by the lived experience. The young person’s own life story is recognised, respected and valued, forming the basis for shaping the agenda in collaboration with peers and Youth Workers.

Youth Work recognises the young person and the Youth Worker as partners in a learning process: The young person is recognised as an active and equal partner who can, and should, have opportunities and resources to shape their lives. The relationship and dialogue between the young person and Youth Worker is central to the learning taking place.