What is the Youth Work Unit?
The Regional Resource for Work with Young People
The Youth Work Unit (YWU) is the strategic youth work development agency for the Yorkshire and Humber region. It is the focal point for all youth work in the region and has a unique role in bringing together the dual functions of support and development.
Established in 1998 by the 15 Local Authorities the YWU is a sector-led support body adding value to local services and bring economies of scale by joint and shared activities, networking and supported development. The YWU is a charitable company, works with member voluntary, Local Authority (LA) and private youth work providers, as well as regional and national policymakers. Increasingly, we are working with a broader range of services, departments and organisations.
What is Youth Work?
Youth work is non formal education with young people, primarily 13-19, promoting personal development and social education, in the important transition years to adulthood. Young people involve themselves by choice and their voice and influence is critical to the work. Activities, which combine enjoyment with challenge and learning, take place in a broad range of settings. Youth workers build relationships with young people which support their development, improve their life chances and help them to reach their potential.
We Can Help Your Organisation
With the focus on improving outcomes for young people, many organisations need strategic, expert and objective support regarding services for young people. From Children and Young People’s Trusts to Council Lead Members, from health trusts to the police, from arts and sports organisations to regeneration and enterprise initiatives we can help.
The YWU can assist with:
- Strategic planning, commissioning specification and development of provision
- Brokering partnerships to support innovation
- Managing regional, sub-regional and local themed projects
- Undertaking bespoke research studies, reviews, evaluations
- Advising on quality standards and on workforce and training
- Supporting young people’s voice and influence work
- Organising conferences, training events and seminars
We have a number of expert Associates to help us deliver contracted work.
What We Do and How We Do It
The YWU runs a number of strategic and operational networks – LA Youth Work Leads, Voluntary Youth Organisations Network, Workforce Development, Quality Assurance and Participation Workers Network – Y&H. With these groups we:
- Identify innovative and best practice and provide a regional overview analysing developments and trends
- Maintain a collection of policy, curriculum and other support resources enabling evidence-based information and advice
- Organise workshops and conferences to promote developments and disseminate learning
- Broker and build key partnerships with regional and national agencies to influence and develop youth work policy and to advocate for and with young people.
In all our work we bring a regional strategic perspective building on experience of what works. In this way, we remove duplication of effort, add value and complement local services.
Funders
- 14 LAs in Y&H
- Sheffield Futures
- UK Youth Parliament
- Reading Agency & Library services
- FPM
Map of region (and LAs involved)
Work Programme 2011 – 2012
Benefits of Youth Work
Proving Your Worth in Whitehall