1. Youth work values
Quite often we talk about values and youth
work.Theseare instilled in us from the time we
set foot into university rightup until we retire or
leave the profession. So what are youth work
values? TheNationalYouth Agencyhave this to
say:-
young people choosing to take part
• utilising young people’s view of the world
• treating young people with respect
• seeking to developyoungpeople’s skills and
attitudes rather than remedy ‘problem
behaviours’
• helping young people develop stronger
relationships and collective identities.
• respecting and valuing differences.
• promoting the voice of young people.
This morning a fellow colleague spoke about Values and asked if there are any values you
would sacrifice for the sake of a new job? And are our values going to ever conflict with other

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professionals, especially in a shrinking world where there are now conversations around
transferable skills, do our values fit?
The conversation carried on to look at jobs that these skills can add to, and these included
social work, Teachers, Youth Justice workers, and the list goes on. The problem I recognised
during this time was that these jobs go against young people choosing to participate,
promoting the voice of young people, and in my experience of seeing people at work in these
professions I see a link that they do things to young people. By this I mean sanctions, strict
rules with no room for creativity, and a attitude of Im the adult do as I say. These professions
do things for young people, but very rarely have an attitude of doing things with young people,
therefore giving equal power.
With this in mind I have come to the conclusion that my values are who I am. I do not leave
them at the youth club once the session has finished, and although I am prepared to debate
why my values impact on the work I do, I am not prepared to water them down to get a job.