Youth workers need …

to see youth work as a process of mutual learning and to see the need for constant competence development.

If youth work is to respond constructively to changes in society and the changing needs and interests of young people, youth workers must be receptive to these changes, reflect on them, seek ways to develop new competences and incorporate their new insights into their practice.

One crucial source for gaining this knowledge is the young people they interact with. This is why youth work always should be seen as a process of mutual learning.

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

“youth workers are bound to be life-long learners and youth work itself is a field constantly under development.” Council of Europe Youth Work portfolio