Youth Work Affairs 2020 – An Overview

Waterford & Wexford Education & Training Board the state agency with responsibility for further education and training, adult and community education, some post primacy schools and youth work.

ETBs are charged with responsibility for Youth work in the 2013 ETB Act which identifies Youth work a planned programme of education designed for the purpose of aiding and enhancing the personal and social development of young persons through their voluntary participation, and which is (a) complementary to their formal, academic or vocational education and training; and (b) provided primarily by voluntary youth work organisations (ETB Act 2013 and Youth Work Act 2001).

WWETB organise its functions for youth work through a sub committee of the Board. This Youth Work Committee is made up of key stakeholders from the statutory and voluntary (NGO) sectors. The YWC has agreed a Youth Work Plan 2017 to 2020 for the development of Youth Work in the area.

WWETB funds (€2.1 million) and/or supports 31 staffed projects across Waterford and Wexford. In addition it provides  an annual grant to approximately 90 volunteer led and run youth clubs/groups including youth clubs, guides, and scouts. WWETB is responsible for supporting the projects and clubs to implement the Quality Standards Frameworks. Projects and clubs that are supported need to be involved in non formal education and does not include groups that are primarily focused on recreation or sports.

What is Youth Work …

Firstly all work with young people is NOT Youth Work.  Youth Work is non formal education and while work with young people focused on recreation or learning skills is valuable, Youth Work is based on a clear set of principles and is defined in the Youth Act 2001 and the Education and Training Board Act 2013 as:

…a planned programme of education designed for the purpose of aiding and enhancing the personal and social development of young persons through their voluntary involvement which is –

–(a) complementary to their formal, academic and vocational education and training; and

–(b) provided primarily by voluntary organisations.

Core Principles of Youth Work are…

1. Young person-centered, recognising the rights of young people and holding as central their active and voluntary participation.
2. Committed to ensuring and promoting the safety and well-being of young people.
3. Educational and developmental.
4. Committed to ensuring and promoting equality and inclusiveness in all its dealings with young people and adults.
5. Dedicated to the provision of quality youth work and committed to continuous improvement

What is role of WWETB in Youth Work ….

The role is laid down in the ETB Act 2013 which gives the Board a legislative responsibility in relation to Youth Work in Ireland.  These are to: support the:
provision, coordination, administration and assessment of Youth Work services in its functional area.

Practical supports that the ETB provide in include:

• Annual local youth club grant (in 2019 €113,565)
• Occasional grants for equipment and small capitals work
• Occasional youth employability initiative funding and grants for work with the LGBTI+ community
• Information on starting a youth work club or group
• Support on the Quality Standards for youth clubs and projects
• Certified Youth Work Training
•  Networking opportunities
• Direction and access to Youth Work programme material