A youth development worker has three distinct roles. Firstly, to
working face-to-face with young people in a variety of settings (e.g. clubs, projects and outreach
work). Secodly, to
managing and supporting other paid and volunteer workers. Finally, to
formulating and developing community policies for governmental and non-governmental organisations
(NGOs).
Youth workers undertake their roles across a wide range of settings. The type of work they engage in will differ, depending on:the organisation they work for, the country they work and live in
the type of young people they work with,
the philosophical approach of the country, organisation and/or young people they work with and
the resources they have available to work with young
people.
The work
that is now done in the field of youth development continues to endure changes
because of the impact of the global economy on the social and economic life of
every part of the world, small or large. However, many of the practices of
youth development work are deeply influenced by a long history.
There
are six main international traditions of youth development work.
They are:
1 youth
work for the development of families and communities
2 youth
work as social and leisure provision
3
pastoral work and out-of-school education
4
uniformed and military-style youth movements
5 youth
work for development
6
youth welfare work.