The organisation and practice of local youth work needs …

to define and establish the preconditions and work processes needed for carrying out quality youth work.

A clear work process describes which different steps that should be taken in order to carry out a certain task. Clarifying work process is an important step towards professionalisation. E.g. which different steps/actions does a youth worker need to take in order to secure a good and inclusive participatory process?

In order to answers to the different and ever-changing needs, interests and ideas of different groups of young people and the demands this puts on activity hours, facilities, forms of youth work, etc. this setting up of preconditions and work processes must be done in a way that balances stability and flexibility. To “stiff” structures and processes that leaves no space for change, innovation and spontaneity will be counterproductive. To “lose” structures and processes that does not provide clear frameworks and guidance risk leading to confusion and that some groups of young people become, more or less unconsciously, disadvantaged.

Different individuals and groups of young people are attracted not only by different activities in terms of content, but also by different formats or forms of youth work. An important precondition for inclusiveness is therefore that the total youth work offer contains different formats such as open “drop-in” activities, group activities, projects, courses, events, etc., so that young people can approach and get involved in youth work in different ways.

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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