Professional practice is at the heart of youth work training but integrating the theory learned in class with the reality of placements can sometimes require extra support. This comprehensive textbook is designed to help students working with young people become competent and ethical practitioners, able to reflect on their learning and interventions in young people’s lives.

CONTENTS List of figures = ix List of tables = xi Acknowledgements and dedication = xiii How to use this book = xv 1 Introduction = 1 What do we mean by youth work? = 1 What makes a good youth worker? = 5 Focus of the book = 7 Part Ⅰ Principles = 9 2 Preparation for practice learning = 11 Introduction = 11 Professional formation = 11 Preparing for practice = 13 Working with supervisors and workplace dynamics = 17 What makes a good supervisor and supervisee? = 19 A professional approach to practice = 23 Conclusion = 25 3 Locating the self = 26 Introduction = 26 Defining ourselves = 27 Personal and social identity = 30 Playing a role = 32 Social context = 33 Life experiences = 38 Conclusion = 38 4 The ethical practitioner = 41 Introduction = 41 Everyday ethics = 41 Ethical codes of conduct = 46 Promoting ethical reflection and dialogue = 48 Conclusion = 52 5 The informal educator = 53 Introduction = 53 What is informal education? = 53 Using informal education = 56 The challenge of context = 58 Conclusion : towards a blended approach = 62 Part Ⅱ Contexts = 65 6 The community context = 67 Introduction = 67 What is a community? = 67 Focusing on communities of place = 69 Young people and their communities = 70 Understanding and working with the community = 72 Conclusion = 83 7 The policy and organisational context = 85 Introduction = 85 Why social policy matters = 85 Outcomes : what will happen to young people as a result of our work? = 87 Drivers : why are we concerned? = 88 Drivers : understanding the wider policy context = 92 Aims and methods : how does the organisation respond? = 100 Conclusion = I02 8 The partnership context = 103 Introduction = 103 Understanding partnerships = 103 Mapping partnerships = 107 Being a good partner = 109 Evaluating a partnership = 113 Conclusion = 114 Part Ⅲ Skills for practice = 117 9 Frameworks for practice = 119 Introduction = 119 Involving young people in the process = 119 Introducing the ASPIRE model = 120 Assessment = 120 Planning and implementation = 126 Review = 130 Evaluation = 131 Conclusion = 134 10 Supervision = 135 Introduction = 135 What do we mean by supervision? = 136 Purpose and functions of supervision = 137 Content models = 139 Process models = 141 Learning to work together = 143 The supervision relationship = 145 Conclusion = 148 11 Reflective practice = 149 Introduction = 149 What is reflective practice? = 150 Theoretical underpinnings = 151 Metacognition and reflective practice = 153 How and with whom to practise = 155 Possible methods／frameworks = 156 Individual and collaborative reflection = 158 Potential barriers to effective reflective practice = 160 Conclusion = 163 12 Working with groups = 164 Introduction = 164 Why groups? = 164 Our groups = 167 Good practice in facilitating groups = 173 Conclusion = 182 13 Effective communication = 183 Introduction = 183 Communication, meaning and context = 184 Good communication as a process = 187 Conclusion = 193 14 Challenging oppression = 194 Introduction = 194 Defining oppression = 194 Internalisation and 'voice' = 197 Being an anti-oppressive practitioner = 199 Practical strategies = 201 Conclusion = 206 15 Enhancing participatory practice = 207 Introduction = 207 Youth work and participatory practice = 207 Mapping young people's spheres of influence = 210 Visioning change = 214 Other ways of bringing participation to life = 217 Conclusion = 219 References = 220 Index = 230