What is Youth Work
What is Youth Work?
The Youth Work Act 2001 defines Youth Work as:
“A planned programme of education designed for the purpose of aiding and enhancing the personal and social development of young people through their voluntary involvement, and which is complementary to their formal, academic or vocational education and training and provided primarily by voluntary youth work organisations.”
The Youth Work Act 2001 ensures that
- Youth Work is for all young people (10-24 years)
- Promotes diversity of provision
- Encourages and support voluntarism
- Promotes quality standards in management and youth work practice
- Promotes the active participation in decision making in youth groups
- Allocates resources to meet needs
For young people the positive outcomes areas attributed to youth work are
- Communication skills
- Confidence and agency
- Planning and problem solving
- Relationships
- Creativity and imagination
- Emotional intelligence.1
Role of Laois Offaly Education & Training Board in Youth Work
The Education and Training Bord has a legislative obligation in relation to youth work in Ireland under the Youth Work Act, 2001, which is defined as:
‘A planned programme of education designed for the purpose of aiding and enhancing the personal and social development of young persons through their voluntary participation, and which is:
a) complementary to their formal academic or vocational education and training
b) provided primarily by voluntary youth work organisations.’
As with all ETBs in Ireland, LOETB has a responsibility to support the provision, coordination, administration and assessment of youth work services in its area. The Education and Training Board Act (2013), states that ETBs have a responsibility to:
‘Support the provision, coordination, administration and assessment of youth work services in its functional area and provide such information as may be requested by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in relation to such support… (And) Assess whether the manner in which it performs its functions is economical, efficient and effective.’
LOETB’s Youth Work Committee
In accordance with the requirements of Section 19 of the Youth Work Act 2001, a Youth Work Committee has been established in LOETB. The purpose of the Youth Work Committee is to provide oversight and make recommendations to the ETB on the performance of its youth work purposes. The Committee is made up of a mix of significant stakeholders including LOETB staff, youth organisations, other statutory bodies and young people.
