A Development and Validation of a Youth Work Competency Model for Youth Workers

2018 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 125-153
Author(s):  
Heejung Seo
Keyword(s):  
Competency Model ◽  
Youth Work ◽  
Youth Workers ◽  
Development And Validation

A Comparative Study of the State of Ethics in Youth Work Practice in Jamaica, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cleopatra Monique Parkins
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Youth Work ◽  
Youth Workers ◽  
Ethical Practices ◽  
The United Kingdom

Even though youth work has played a critical role in fostering the holistic development of today’s youth, much controversy has surrounded the practice. Nevertheless, youth workers are slowly being accorded professional status, and a code of ethics has been developed in some jurisdictions. Some states are still to adopt this code; consequently the credibility of youth workers and the sector in general sway with the wind. This article presents a comparative analysis of ethical practices of youth work in Jamaica, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, examining current trends in observing ethics and addressing ethical issues. In the case of Jamaica, the researcher used the non-probability convenience sampling technique and collected primary data from a questionnaire administered to a sample of youth workers. The perspective of the ministerial arm responsible for youth work in Jamaica was also captured through an interview. In the case of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, the framework of the profession and specifically matters pertaining to ethical practices were examined through the use of secondary data sources, which included reports on youth work practices in the selected countries. A mixed methodology was employed in analysing the data collected. The major findings of this study confirmed that advancing youth work as a profession is dependent on the acceptance and integration of a formal code of ethics, that youth workers must receive training on ethics and that a national youth work policy is important to guide youth work practice. In accordance with the findings, the researcher makes a number of recommendations and highlights notable best practices that may help with the overall professionalisation of the sector.

Exploring emancipatory youth work

2006 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 471-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Ngai Sek Yum
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Youth Work ◽  
Youth Workers

English The present study explores the possibility of emancipatory youth work from a Foucauldian perspective focusing on practitioners' potential as a force for change. Based on narratives generated from interviews with outreach youth workers in Hong Kong, the study shows how workers have invented their own style of liberating practice. The implications of the findings are discussed. French La présente étude explore les possibilités du travail d'émancipation auprès des jeunes selon une perspective foucaldienne focalisant sur le potentiel des praticiens comme moteur de changement. En se basant sur les récits obtenus à la suite d'entrevues avec des travailleurs de proximité auprès des jeunes à Hong Kong, l'étude montre comment ces travailleurs ont créé leur propre style de libération de la pratique. Les résultats de la recherche sont analysés. Spanish Se explora la posibilidad de trabajo emancipatorio con jóvenes desde una perspectiva foucauldiana, enfocándose en el potencial del trabajador social como una fuerza de cambio. Partiendo de narrativas generadas en entrevistas con trabajadores con jóvenes en el Hong Kong, el estudio muestra como estos trabajadores han inventado su propio estilo de práctica liberadora. Se exponen las implicaciones de los resultados.

scholarly journals Intersectoral Action to Enhance the Social Inclusion of Socially Vulnerable Youth through Sport: An Exploration of the Elements of Successful Partnerships between Youth Work Organisations and Local Sports Clubs

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 98-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels Hermens ◽  
Sabina Super ◽  
Kirsten Verkooijen ◽  
Maria Koelen
Keyword(s):  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Youth Work ◽  
Youth Workers ◽  
Intersectoral Action ◽  
Vulnerable Youth ◽  
Sports Clubs ◽  
The Social ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Sports Activities

Research shows that participation in sport is positively related to self-esteem, self-regulation skills, and social inclusion. As socially vulnerable youngsters participate less frequently in sports activities than their average peers, youth work organisations try to guide their clients (i.e., socially vulnerable youngsters) to local sports clubs and inclusive sports activities. Inclusive sports activities, however, cannot be provided by youth work organisations alone. Therefore, in the Netherlands, intersectoral action involving both youth work organisations and local sports clubs has emerged. Because youth workers and stakeholders in local sports clubs are not used to collaborating with each other, we explored the factors that contribute to the quality and performance of such intersectoral actions. On the basis of five open interviews with youth workers and three focus groups with stakeholders in local sports clubs, we described factors relating to the organisation of intersectoral action among youth workers and local sports clubs that are preconditions for the success of this specific type of intersectoral action.

scholarly journals Making the Best Better: 4-H Staffing Patterns and Trends in the Largest Professional Network in the Nation

2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-Jun
Author(s):  
Kirk A. Astroth
Keyword(s):  
Baseline Data ◽  
Academic Training ◽  
Youth Work ◽  
Youth Workers ◽  
Academic Degree ◽  
Program Delivery ◽  
Professional Network ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Staffing Patterns ◽  
State Extension

The results from the National 4-H Headquarters’ survey of the 4-H workforce provides baseline data about 4-H staffing, structures in which 4-H professionals work, and salaries ranges as reported by state Extension 4-H directors. All 50 states responded to the survey and results are reported in eight areas: 1. profile of respondents; 2. current 4-H staffing structures; 3. staffing trends and changes since 1990; 4. academic degree requirements; 5. compensation levels; 6. academic and other preparation; 7. ideal staffing models; and 8. current and future challenges. The survey revealed that academic training of 4-H professionals and compensation for 4-H youth workers was higher compared to their counterparts in youth work elsewhere. While funding for 4-H positions has remained stable, there has been an increase in the use of para-professionals for program delivery.

scholarly journals FORMATION OF YOUTH WORKER PROFESSIONALISM: PROBLEMS IN ESTONIA

2015 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-96
Author(s):  
Maarika Veigel
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Professional Growth ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
National Curriculum ◽  
High Mobility ◽  
Professional Staff ◽  
Development Model ◽  
Youth Work ◽  
Youth Workers ◽  
Youth Worker

Youth field has been in constant evolution during the restoration period of Estonian independence, since 1991. The theoretical overview is about youth worker professionalism, associated with the developments in the European and Estonian youth field and in the context of the Berliner competency levels development model. It explains the expectations set for youth workers, to teaching and youth field institutions. Youth work is expected, like formal education, with more clearly defined educational goals, and it is emphasized that it is a non-formal education. An important aspect is enjoying of the activities and its educational elements. The National Curriculum for Basic Schools and Gymnasium (2011) sets the expectations that the non-formal education will give more support to students to complete the curriculum of formal education. Youth work in Estonia is an essential component of the educational system. Therefore, the professionalism of youth workers and their coping with new challenges is very important. Over the last ten years, major changes in the Estonian youth worker professionalism and in the aspects of professional development haven’t been mentioned. The answers are briefly: in Estonia youth worker profession has been associated with the development of youth field, but the staff preparation is very different and characterised by low working experience. Berliner presented development model of competency levels, treats the professional development as long-term, complex process, distinguishing between the five stages of development of the professional staff, which are also regarded in the context of the professional development of the youth worker. Youth work quality is dependent on the availability of professional youth workers and in order to gain it, the high mobility inside the sector should be reduced, a better situation and more support should be created for the formation of youth worker professionalism at the various levels of the professional growth. Key words: competency, professional level, professionalism, youth work, youth worker.

scholarly journals The Social Impact of Digital Youth Work: What Are We Looking For?

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicja Pawluczuk ◽  
Gemma Webster ◽  
Colin Smith ◽  
Hazel Hall
Keyword(s):  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Youth Work ◽  
Youth Workers ◽  
Youth Engagement ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Social ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Digital Youth

Digital youth work is an emerging field of research and practice which seeks to investigate and support youth-centred digital literacy initiatives. Whilst digital youth work projects have become prominent in Europe in recent years, it has also become increasingly difficult to examine, capture, and understand their social impact. Currently, there is limited understanding of and research on how to measure the social impact of collaborative digital literacy youth projects. This article presents empirical research which explores the ways digital youth workers perceive and evaluate the social impact of their work. Twenty semi-structured interviews were carried out in Scotland, United Kingdom, in 2017. All data were coded in NVivo 10 and analysed using thematic data analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Two problems were identified in this study: (1) limited critical engagement with the social impact evaluation process of digital youth work projects and its outcomes, and (2) lack of consistent definition of the evaluation process to measure the social impact/value of digital youth work. Results of the study are examined within a wider scholarly discourse on the evaluation of youth digital participation, digital literacy, and social impact. It is argued that to progressively work towards a deeper understanding of the social value (positive and negative) of digital youth engagement and their digital literacy needs, further research and youth worker evaluation training are required. Recommendations towards these future changes in practice are also addressed.

scholarly journals Social justice or social control? An ethnographic study of detached youth work in Scotland

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 254-276
Author(s):  
Emma Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Social Control ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Community Safety ◽  
Youth Work ◽  
Youth Workers ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Managerial Practices ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Liberal Ideology ◽  
Ethnographic Data

This article examines the experiences of a newly formed detached youth work project in Scotland and its relationship to neo-liberal ideology. The growth of neo-liberalism has, as with other social professions, made detached youth work vulnerable to a deficit-based approach. This has come hand-in-hand with managerial practices focused on efficient, targeted interventions delivered through short term budgets. The article, drawing on ethnographic data, describe a team of youth workers challenged with reconciling their deep commitment to delivering a programme of relational youth work with the targeted focus of the project on ‘risky’ youth and associated local apparatus of community safety. Throughout youth work's history the dividing line between youth work and mechanisms of social control has been slippery to navigate. The article argues that emergent neo-liberal ideology presents a further professional challenge to youth work. In the context of austerity and a widening neo-liberal policy agenda from Westminster, Scottish youth workers are being required to work harder to demonstrate that the service is not simply there to target ‘risky’ social groups or ‘plug the gaps’ that the state can no longer provide. Youth workers, in this context, must continue to make the case in defence of well-resourced, universal youth work and its potential to contribute to tackling social injustice and inequality.

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