Youth workers need …

to act within a clear ethical framework, based on the core principles stated above, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the European Convention on Human Rights.

Working with young people requires both a clear ethical framework and ethical awareness. Just as important as a document stating an ethical framework is to have an on-going discussion among youth workers regarding what this means in practise and how it is to be applied. Discussing ethical dilemmas is crucial if youth workers should be able to give young people a fair and equal treatment, not being biased by personal opinions or preferences.

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  1. Discuss & assess
    Here you find the questions you need to ask yourself to know if you need to develop and the assessment function
  2. Set objectives
    Here you describe what you want to achieve.
  3. Needs
    Here you describe what you need to acquire, develop or change.
  4. 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