What is the Purpose of Youth Work?

Youth work makes remarkable developments in young people’s self-esteem and self-confidence. It works to develop young people’s abilities to manage personal and social relationships, whilst creating learning opportunities for them to develop new skills. Often putting them back in the driving seat of their own lives.

Social Work & Youth Work Specialisation

Offering an opportunity for young people, outside of the formal educational spaces, to support their well-being can be done through multiple means. It can be through youth clubs, community centres, organisations like Scouts and Girl Guides and more informally as part of a specific sport or hobby.

There are many areas of specialisation, all working towards the common goal of empowering young people to discover what sparks joy in them, what makes them feel part of something bigger than themselves all on a journey of self-discovery.

This structure can help to support behavioural issues, but isn’t specifically about fixing problems. Teenagers are, by default, supposed to push boundaries and take risks. These organised environments can help young people find themselves through trusted relationships with youth workers and their peers.  

Importance of Young People

During their transition into adulthood, young people are constantly making new choices. The more informed they are and the more they feel significant within a community, the better those choices become for our future society. 

Online platforms can be misleading and in some cases damaging to young people, having stable clubs to grow with, whilst discovering their values and merits along the way builds confidence. 

Without wanting to be cliche, children are our future, so we must treat them to the courtesy of investing in their minds. 

Understanding Young People's Needs

The importance of a strong community around young people, with responsible role models, supports the nurture side of their growth. Wholesome and positive communities improve the wellbeing of those who take part, by aiding them with observational learning and critical decision making.

Challenges & Opportunities for Youth

Youth workers are often tasked with developing programmes on subjects like bullying, drugs, gangs, violence, relationships, the list goes on. There are plenty of challenges young people need guidance through, that aren't received elsewhere in their lives. 

Youth work gives the opportunity to educate more passively, allowing honest discussions and questions to be answered without intimidation. Through coaching and mentoring greater social inclusion can be encouraged, shifting mindset to the greater good. 

The Multifaceted Purpose of Youth Work

Through community projects, art programmes, camps, residentials, and sports activities, young people can be supported through settings that resonate with their interests. 

The setting for youth work could be within a school, college, faith-based building or youth club. Recruiting young people into these settings could be through street work and relies on youth workers building strong and trusting relationships with young people. By working with them to help them find their purpose and get them off the street can instantly change the trajectory of a young person’s life.

Through developing their social confidence and upskilling them can lead to new career opportunities. With the satisfaction of helping them with applications for apprenticeships and new jobs.  

Core Goals of Youth Work Programs

The core goals span many focuses and subject areas.

• Personal Development – Allowing space for young people to discover their strengths and face challenges in a safe environment.

• Building Self-Esteem & Life Skills – Upskilling young people directly impacts social confidence, empowering them with more choices in life.

• Social Development – Being part of a community allows for vicarious learning, witnessing how others behave and being able to re-enact that.

• Fostering Positive Social Interaction – Having reliable and trustworthy role models can stabilise a young person’s life.

• Educational Development – Often traditional learning environments don’t support everyone’s style. Youth programmes can offer an alternative space for education to flourish.

• Supporting Academic Aspirations – Some programmes are built around the idea of a homework club and can sustain the self-discipline needed to revise for exams.

• Community Engagement – Sparking a sense of belonging and purpose gives a healthy lesson in being less focused on oneself. 

• Youth Participation & Belonging – Making someone accountable for the experience of others, and encouraging participation in activities and events develops critical skills.

Impact of Effective Youth Work

Most youth workers will recount times an older adult has come back and spoken of the impact made on them through youth work support. It can vary from keeping them on the right side of the law to finding their passion in environmental work or becoming a professional in mental health themselves. The impact that effective youth work can take completely redirects life paths.

The impact in many cases is reduced risk-taking and improved well-being, leading to happier and more successful life choices. 

The overall purpose and rewards of a career in youth work come down to seeing young people grow, in an environment that supports their personalities and displays good examples of teamwork, community, problem-solving and leadership. All of this sets up young people to find their role in society and get work they thrive in.

Explore Youth Work Careers

On our site, we exclusively source roles in all aspects of care and have many youth worker jobs. To find out more about what’s available, register today as a candidate with Social Care People, and let us help you find your perfect role.