Institute for Youth Work

The Institute for Youth Work has confirmed that it will be open to qualified, non-qualified and student youth workers in September.

The announcement comes after the National Youth Agency agreed to fund the start-up process and the creation of a website and resources for the Institute.

Part of the launch will involve the creation of an ethical framework, a draft version of which will be put out for consultation in June, which members will be required to sign up to.

There will be three levels of membership of Institute, which will be student, member level for those working with young people without a formal qualification, and a certified level open to professionally qualified youth workers.

Membership subscription fees will be settled following a consultation with prospective members on how much they would realistically be willing to pay. Once the institute has launched, it is hoped that running costs will be covered by membership subscriptions.

Decisions on whether to introduce a licence to practice and create new levels of membership will be decided by the membership.