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Overview
'What is Detached Youth Work'
Detached youth work is a distinct form of work with young people. As with all
youth work it uses the principles and practices of informal education to engage
young people in constructive dialogue, within a broad agenda of personal and
social development. The work is underpinned by mutual trust and respect and
responds to the needs of young people. The basis of the relationship between the
worker and the young person is mutual acceptance and parity. Traditional notions
of adult power and authority are bought into sharp focus.
All youth work seeks to work on and from young people’s ‘territory’ (as
determined by their definitions of space, needs, interests, concerns and
lifestyles). Detached youth work, however, is distinct from all other forms of
youth work as this concept of territory focuses primarily on the geographical:
detached youth workers work where young people have chosen to be, whether this
be streets, cafes, shopping centres etc. workers make contact with young people
wherever they are. So detached youth work is often free from the constraints of
centre based youth work – where buildings are specifically set up for the
purpose of youth work. Detached youth workers don’t have to manage a building
or property. This is not to say buildings won’t be used; indeed they sometimes
become a feature of more developed practice. But in detached youth work, contact
happens on the street, and relationships are developed there too.
Detached youth work is , above all, about working flexibly. As they don’t have
to look after buildings they can use their geographical flexibility to best meet
the needs of young people. They celebrate the uncertainty implied by an open
ended way of working and value this for its democratic credentials. They
recognize its effectiveness in engaging, in particular, with those young people
whose lifestyles are sometimes chaotic and sit uncomfortably with order and
prescription.
The experience of many detached youth workers is that imposing an agenda acts as
a barrier to working with young people, many of whom are already disengaged from
formal learning.
The success of youth work comes from making good judgments in relation to these
risks. Pushing too hard can distance young people. Not pushing enough can fail
to challenge and inspire them. The agenda must, therefore, emerge from a
mutually respectful relationship, where hearing the other’s voice is as
important as articulating one’s own. The concept of negotiation seems to
embody this; it does not suggest control, domination or license. It accords
instead status to both parties and value to their opinions. A consensus thus
emerges.
'Aims of Detached Youth Work'
The Federation promotes the following aims of good youth work as intrinsic to
detached youth work;
Good detached youth work should aim to;
Be an agent of social change and social action, rather than social control;
Respect the voluntary nature of the relationship between the worker and young
person;
Through negotiation and dialogue, challenge young people’s attitudes and
behavior where they impact negatively on themselves and others;
Support meaningful participation of young people in political decision making
processes and ensure their voices are heard;
Model such participatory values in all its interactions with young people;
Support the progressive personal development of all young people towards self
advocacy through learning.
Detached youth work does NOT aim to;
‘Sell’ existing centre-based provision or other services to young people not
accessing these services (we see this as out-reach work)- although if young
people want to gain access to services, detached youth workers have a role to
facilitate this.
‘Get young people off the streets’. It is easy to see detached youth work as
a solution to a problem and a method for reducing the offending rates of young
people by curbing or controlling their behavior. These outcomes may occur as a
result of detached youth work interventions, however the Federation sees
detached youth workers first and foremost as informal educators- others should
also see this as our primary task. We can contribute to other agendas, but it is
because detached youth workers are not tasked with crime or anti-social
behaviour reduction or reintegration of young people into the mainstream, that
they can build relationships that have the potential to have that effect.
'The role of a detached youth worker'
The role of a detached youth worker is similar in many ways to that of his or
her centre based colleagues and draws entirely on the values and approach of
generic youth work. The FDYW feels, though, that there are certain
characteristics that are particular to detached youth work.
The detached youth worker:
Establishes positive relationships with young people based on mutual trust and
respect by going to where they are and engaging with them on a personal level in
their territory.
Is the primary resource. They need to carry the structure of the youth work task
around in their head, conveying its existence to young people by their actions
(as there is no buildings or equipment to provide structure)
Has to gain the confidence, trust and respect of the young people and a measure
of personal authority with (at least during the crucial initial phase) only
their own experience, values, personality, knowledge and skills as resources.
Has no authority as a result of their control over resources or any trappings of
status and can’t impose any sanction other than withdrawing contact. This
allows relationships to develop with genuine mutual trust and respect and
fosters honesty and personal responsibility.
In the light of potential misunderstandings of the role and having no
immediately tangible structure, faces a real challenge in establishing their
role in the eyes of the local community. The worker is more open to public
scrutiny as they work in a public setting.
Is skilled in gaining respect in the community and from other agencies in order
to advocate effectively for young people whose views may conflict with the
agencies.
Sees young people operating without any constraints on their behavior and can be
present when critical incidents occur. They are aware of the extent to which
they can exert control over the environment.
Is part of the social and physical environment that young people inhabit and,
therefore, can better understand the effect this has on them.
Has to be able to deal with the specific demands of approaching young people in
their own space and negotiating acceptance by the group in that space.
Is able to explain their specific role and the aims of the project therefore
making young people aware of their professional boundaries. Where workers live
and work in the same neighbourhood, this becomes essential, if young people are
to understand when a worker is and is not accessible to them.
Encourages young people to participate voluntarily in the process of assessment,
monitoring, evaluation and delivery of the service.
Has a grasp of the local political structure and understands how to enable young
people to engage with it.
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