Targeting, Accountability and Youth Work Practice

Spence, J.

Abstract

Using the findings of an investigation into detached and outreach youth work, sponsored by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, this article considers tensions between generic youth work and contemporary policy initiatives. It is argued that there are fundamental and distinguishing aspects of youth work practice in terms of relationships, partnerships, and time which enable youth workers to undertake successful interventions with groups of young people who are defined as ‘socially excluded’. However, the demands of government policy in relation to targeting and accountability are in tension with practice in these key areas. Without a clearly articulated and specific language of youth work practice, the very aspects of youth work which make it attractive to policy makers are in danger of being undermined by policy.

Citation

Spence, J. (2004). Targeting, Accountability and Youth Work Practice. Practice: Social Work in Action, 16(4), 261-272. https://doi.org/10.1080/09503150500045543

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2004
• Deposit Date: Feb 10, 2010
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 12, 2010
• Journal: Practice.
• Print ISSN: 0950-3153
• Electronic ISSN: 1742-4909
• Publisher: British Association of Social Workers
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 261-272
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09503150500045543
• Keywords: Youth work, Professional accountability, Targeting, Youth exclusion, Joseph rowntree foundation.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1561556