Ara Taiohi Youth Work Professionalisation Feasibility Project

1. AraTaiohi Youth Work Professionalisation Feasibility Project GO PRO BRO!!! Contractor: Hannah Dunlop Grassroots Research

2. Why professionalise?

3. Roles of a professional body • Professional development - provision of professional development opportunities • Advocacy and promotion of the profession - promote and build on the professional status of its members and recognize the expertise of those it represents while creating a positive view of members. Advocate on industry issues such as pay. • Quality and standards- Promotion of quality and ethical practice through standards, competencies and code of ethics. • Qualifications – ensure that professional education and training is relevant and of a high standard. • Lobbying and advocacy – to create a ‘user friendly’ business environment for members. Including collegial connections.

4. The feasibility project phase one • Gathering information to define a best model of professionalisation of youth work for the existing AraTaiohi structure phase two • Engaging youth workers from around Aotearoa to form a shared understanding around a best model for the professionalisation of youth work phase three • Produce a feasibility report and implementation map informed by the bigger picture for the professionalisation of youth work in Aotearoa

5. The feasibility project phase one Gathering information to define a best model of professionalisation of youth work for the existing AraTaiohistructure. Methodology • Conduct background research • Organizational interviews- comparable professional models and bodies both domestic and international

6. The feasibility project phase two Engaging youth workers from around Aotearoa to form a shared understanding around a best model for the professionalisation of youth work Methodology • Writing of consultation plan and schedule • Survey development and analysis • Interview development, implementation and analysis • Focus group/ forum with key networks

7. The feasibility project phase three Produce a feasibility report and implementation map informed by the bigger picture for the professionalisation of youth work in Aotearoa Methodology • Formulation of feasibility report • Formulation of implementation map for model

8. Some initial work in Phase One Contacts have been made so far with the following: • Robyn Broadbent – Youth Workers Association, Victoria, Australia. • Lucy Sanford-Reed – Aoteoroa New Zealand Association of Social Workers. • Trevor Simpson – Health Promoters Society  Further contacts to be made with: • Fiona Blacke – The National Youth Agency UK • Jim Sweeney - Youth Link Scotland • Hilary Tierney – Ireland • NZCCA

9. Exercise “In ten years time what would your hopes and expectations be for the development of the youth work in NZ?” Think of your local setting, regional, national and international.

10. Roles of a Youth Workers Professional Body • Professional development - provision of professional development opportunities • Advocacy and promotion of the profession - promote and build on the professional status of its members and recognize the expertise of those it represents while creating a positive view of members. Advocate on industry issues such as pay. • Quality and standards- Promotion of quality and ethical practice through standards, competencies and code of ethics. • Qualifications – ensure that professional education and training is relevant and of a high standard. • Lobbying and advocacy – to create a ‘user friendly’ business environment for members. Including collegial connections. EXERCISE Using these headings define what sort of roles a youth work professional body should take