Youth work practice needs to be guided by a youth work policy that …

is developed within the framework of, and in compliance with, the core principles stated above.

This compliancy with the core principles should embrace both the development process as such and its outcome. Making local youth work policy comply with the core principles might of course also lead to the need to revise existing aims and objectives. The core principles could hence be seen also as a reference document in relation to which existing policy documents can be analysed and discussed.

Discuss & assess
Here you find the questions you need to ask yourself to know if you need to develop and the assessment function
Set objectives
Here you describe what you want to achieve.
Needs
Here you describe what you need to acquire, develop or change.
Actions to take
Here you describe the actions you plan to take.

Remember! Development is far from always a linear process! It needs to start with discussions, but the first ‘Action to take’ might be to gather more knowledge before setting aims for development and deciding on further actions to take. Dare to be both flexible and to take one step back before taking two steps forward!

References & tips

The design and delivery of youth work are underpinned by the principles of voluntary and active participation, equality of access, openness and flexibility. It should be rights-based, inclusive and centred on young people, their needs and abilities.”
Council of Europe, Recommendation CM/Rec(2017)4 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on youth work, 2017