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

is based on clear and measurable qualitative and quantitative indicators regarding what shall be achieved in relation to young people’s participation, influence and learning.

Young people’s participation, influence and learning are expected core outcomes of youth work. In order to see to what degree these outcomes actually occur and to be able to gather knowledge to be used for further development, youth work needs to set up measurable indicators that clearly describes what should be achieved in terms of participation, influence and learning. These indicators (i.e. points of reference in relation to which actual outcomes can be compared, analysed and assessed) needs to be both quantitative and qualitative.

Please note that working with quality indicators unfortunately lacks tradition in youth work and that it is a complex process. It is therefore recommendable to use existing models or to seek professional guidance when initiating such a process. The charter team would be happy to assist you to establish the right contacts.

Bulletpoint illustration thumbs up

Do you agree on what this means in practice?
Do you agree on to what degree youth work meets this bullet point? 
Here you find the questions you need to discuss to find out! 

If you think that this is something you need to work on, click the “Add to development agenda” button below. You will then find your agenda on your personal page and be able to start a development process. 

Please note! 
If you start a development process related to this bullet point you will find the below questions also under the page “Discuss and assess”. There you will also be able to take notes. 

Questions to discuss 

  • Is local youth work policy based on indicators that makes it possible to measure to what degree young people take part in the different steps of the participatory process and how this is perceived?
  • Is local youth work policy based on indicators that makes it possible to measure young people’s learning?
  • What risks are there in not having measurable indicators as basis for setting aims
    • When it comes to steering towards set aims?
    • When it comes to the recognition of outcomes?

References & tips