Reading material – Forms of Youth Work

A handout to show different forms of youth work.

Building Based Work

Regular sessions are undertaken in a building, developing its environment and its programme of activities to attract and meet the needs of young people

Aim

To create a resource for young people where they can experience a sense of ownership and belonging and participate in activities… To build relationships with individuals and existing groups of young people and enable them to engage in enjoyable and challenging programmes of informal learning.

Detached Work

Undertaken on street corners, in public houses, leisure centres, cafes and other commercial provision used by young people. – (See company policy document on detached work).

Aim

To contact and develop relationships with young people within an environment, which the young person has chosen, and which in turn leads to an exploration of their needs. How best to meet these needs would be determined by the young people, supported by the Youth Worker.

Mobile Work

Undertaken from a mobile provision. For example, bus, caravan, trailer.

Aim

To maximise contact with young people through a flexible approach by taking provision and services to where the needs are identified.

Residential Work

Undertaken with targeted groups away from their normal base and using activities and experiences not normally available. (See company policy document on residential and adventurous activities).

Aim

To use new activities and experiences for learning, to develop group and social skills and to have the time for more intensive work.

Project work

Undertaken as a response or reaction developed to focus on a specific issue of a short or longer-term nature.

Aim

To develop focused provision to address specific issues for young people.

Examples of Short Term: Peer education projects, inputs to school groups, young people’s campaign groups Examples of Long Term: Information and advice, accommodation projects, youth theatre projects etc.

Area Work

Undertaken in a geographically defined area, covering a number of neighbourhoods or communities.

Aim

Primarily to enable other adults to undertake youth work and also to initiate and develop work with young people