Devon Youth Service youth workers are people who are trained, qualified and experienced to work informally with young people.
Youth workers will make contact with young people in a variety of ways; in youth centres, in schools, in mobile youth centres and on the street or anywhere else that young people get together.
Youth workers help young people in groups or individually to get involved with positive activities and be active members of their communities. Youth workers help young people to find good quality advice and guidance and support them with specific issues that are affecting them.
A Youth Worker is:
A friendly professional, building trusting relationships with young people in the work context, with a clear understanding of personal and professional boundaries.
Able to retain a professional detachment and objectivity.
A listener, who respects young peoples’ views and encourages their expression.
A champion for young people’s interests, able to represent their issues when they cannot be present (recognising this is second best to young people representing themselves).
Accepting and understanding of young people and their circumstances, able to separate behaviour from underlying causes.
A facilitator for young people, helping them explore and express their own feelings, circumstances and options, encouraging them to gain the skills and confidence needed for decision making and self reliance.
Able to challenge constructively in areas of awareness, prejudice, responsibility and consequence.
An enabler, encouraging growth in self esteem and realistic self image for young people through involvement in a range of positive experiences.
A source of information on a wide range of issues including health, education and employment, with connections to other services.
Able to plan for clear learning outcomes with young people and evaluate progress with them.
Making Sense of the Youth Work Curriculum