WELCOME TO THE

YOUTH WORK UNIT WEBSITE

The YWU is the strategic youth work development agency in the Yorkshire and Humber region. It is the focal point for integrated youth support, as well as youth work in the region, and has a unique role bringing together the dual functions of support and development.

Established in 1998, the YWU in 2001 became a Limited Company and in 2003 a Charity. A Board of trustees, drawn from the strategic groups and the broader young people's services field, direct and oversee the work Board Membership.

Current government policy, particularly from the Department of Children, Schools and Families, frames all of the YWU's work and all work aims to improve outcomes for young people in the following 5 areas:

• be healthy
• stay safe
• enjoy and achieve
• make a positive contribution
• achieve economic well-being

The YWU operates at a strategic level with a range of regional, national bodies and international bodies, including Government Office, Regional Forum, Y&H Assembly, Department for Children Schools and Families, National Youth Agency and British Council.

As a support and development agency the unit primarily works with officers and managers in voluntary and Local Authority youth service, co-ordinating a number of strategic and operational groups and networks, e.g. Heads of Service, Voluntary Youth Organsisations, Workforce Development, Quality Assurance and Participation.

The YWU has funding agreements with:

14 LA Youth Services, Sheffield Futures, Participation Works, UK Youth Parliament, Children's Workforce Development Council, National Youth Agency, Reading Agency, VCS Engage and the British Council.

Increasingly, given current government agendas, the YWU is working with a broader range of organisations, e.g.youth support and development and young peoples services, libraries, housing associations, health authorities and lead members, as well as with Children and Young People's Services. Current influential drivers are:

• Every Child Matters and Youth Matters
• Development of Children’s Trusts and Children’s Services Departments
• Aiming High for Young People - related Action Plan 2008
• Development of Integrated and Targeted Youth Support
• Hear by Right Standards
• Ofsted Inspection Framework and published Inspection Reports
• Joint Area Reviews
• Education and Inspections Act
• Youth Taskforce Action Plan

Working with voluntary, independent and LA youth organisations the YWU aims to be:

the focus for high quality youth work in the Y&H region supporting on-going development of services within voluntary, independent and statutory providers.

Board Directors/Trustees
Map of region and LAs involved
Annual Report 2006-7
Work Programme 2008-2009
Business Plan 2008-2011
Key Achievements and Developments 2006-7
YWU Leaflet

Links Click here