Basic principles
Youth work helps a young person develop in social circles and as a person.
It also helps them gain a voice and have some influence and a place in their communities.
The text below is from the National Youth Agency’s Ethical Conduct in Youth Work – a Statement of Values and Principles.
It makes some useful suggestions on what adults need to think about when working with young people.
Ethical principles
Youth workers have a commitment to:
- Treat young people with respect, valuing each individual and avoiding negative discrimination.
- Respect and promote young people’s rights to make their own decisions and choices, unless the welfare or legitimate interests of themselves or others are seriously threatened.
- Promote and ensure the welfare and safety of young people, while permitting them to learn through undertaking challenging educational activities.
- Contribute towards the promotion of social justice for young people and in society generally, through encouraging respect for difference and diversity and challenging discrimination.
Professional principles
Youth workers have a commitment to:
- Recognise the boundaries between personal and professional life, and be aware of the need to balance a caring and supportive relationship with young people with appropriate professional advice.
- Recognise the need to be accountable to young people, their parents or guardians, colleagues, funders, wider society and others with a relevant interest in the work, and that these accountabilities may be in conflict.
- Develop and maintain the required skills and competence to do the job.
- Work for conditions in employing agencies where these principles are discussed, evaluated and upheld.