Youth Workers Australia News

Social Cohesion

Robyn Broadbent — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 00:08:18 GMT

Robyn spoke at the social cohesion forum led by AYAC. Here is a copy of her chat that has a particular focus on education

AYAC Social cohesion.pdf

AYAC Youth Engagement

Robyn Broadbent — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 02:03:49 GMT

Hi there - check out this short podcast that introduces you to the new Youth Engagement Lead at AYAC. I sat him down to tell us who he is and how just 2 weeks into the job how he sees the role. Just open in a new window.

chat with Dean.WAV

Social Connection Guide

Robyn Broadbent — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 04:00:01 GMT

For many practitioners this guide practical elements are a known product. Building programs for social connection is for many youth workers the very heart of what they do. But more than that this guide provides a practical set of surveys to measure social connection. I have not seen a tool do this in such a practiced but nuanced way. Take a look.

https://researchbank.swinburne.edu.au/items/bb86870a-57d4-4d27-905d-78ecbea5d0cf/1/

Youth Work as Social Pedagogy

Robyn Broadbent — Sat, 25 May 2024 02:08:51 GMT

This article by Professor Tim Corney is a review on how we define and interpret youth work for others. It opens up the discussion about non formal and informal learning to be a part of our review of the national definition of youth work. Makes for an interesting read.

Youth Work as Social Pedagogy Toward an Understanding of Non Formal and Informal Education and Learning in Youth Work.pdf

terrible Private Employment Providers

Robyn Broadbent — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 07:00:12 GMT

Private Employment Providers
This is really a disgrace having posted the punishment for profit report on employment private providers here is further evidence of what a terrible system it is. This article talks about the 360 million paid in outcome payments whether the provider placed the client in employment or not. It also outlines the length they go to to pressure people to give personal info so they can apply for those outcome payments. Make a noise people the parliament is to consider a parliamentary review on private providers and the review says BIG changes are needed because the system has failed the most vulnerable. Here is the article

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/apr/28/payslip-wars-australian-jobseekers-suffer-harassment-in-a-crazy-system-that-doesnt-work-for-anyone

who Screwed Millennials and young people

Robyn Broadbent — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 06:50:55 GMT

This is a great Guardian podcast that squarely lays blame not at migrants (research suggests without the latest round of migration we would have gone into recession) nup John Howard and Peter Costello helped by baby boomers. If we are going to challenge these debates and the subsequent policy that should be changed lets inform ourselves if we are ever to have equity in housing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHY9-hrmGMs

Children and Young people Social Exclusion

Robyn Broadbent — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 00:39:02 GMT

Uniting Church Children Social Exclusion Index

This is an evidence based report outlining the level of social exclusion children and young people face. It is a multidimension index which does not only use poverty (tho we know that poverty does intersect across the board, educaiotn, social and recreation participation etc) it looks at a range of dimensions. The facts such as one in six children live in poverty even higher in Tas. Children and young people in regional areas and Tas experience the highest level of social exclusion. You can find the report

https://unitingcare.org.au/submission/child-social-exclusion-report-index/

Global Youth Work

Robyn Broadbent — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 21:51:27 GMT

This resource will be of interest to all our training partners but also for conversations with groups of young people you may be working with that are interested in global events. All the big issues poverty, climate, fair trade etc. All in this accessible engaging set of modules. Here is a note from one of the creators

The module, Global Youth Work is part of our work in the NYCI led Youth2030 Consortium - it's interactive, free, open source and brilliant!

It's been 18 months or so in the making so we are delighted to release it into the world. As ever, it's been a real privilege to work with the Youth2030 team in NYCI.

It would be great if you could distribute to your networks as appropriate. All the best for a lovely weekend, Hilary

https://www.youth.ie/training/global-youth-work-new-online-learning-module/

https://www.youthworkandyou.org/

Lets talk about poverty

Robyn Broadbent — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 03:09:09 GMT

Poverty is the key intersection in every young persons life. It impacts on their education, social participation, resource for success, food and housing insecurity and more. So every aspect of their lives. If we couple this with one of my earlier posts punishment for profit that outlines the depth and breadth of mutual obligation breaches imposed by job providers which compounds poverty for children and young people. ACOSS estimate that 1.2 million children and young people live in poverty and a contributing factor is the number of parents caught in this degrading and discriminatory system. Poverty in Australia 2023 gives you some hard evidence to utilise and you can find it here

The value of Youth Work

Robyn Broadbent — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 01:10:17 GMT

From our Youth Work Colleagues in Ireland comes a new resource to evidence the value of youth work. It is a full kit of training and evaluation tools ready to go. You can check it out here

It is built for youth organisations that want to evidence their impact with young people. I am sure you will find it useful.

Cheers Robyn

Review of Employment Services

Robyn Broadbent — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 06:07:03 GMT

Julian Hill led a parliamentary committee that reviewed the employment services. What a breath of fresh air where he acknowledges that the system has let vulnerable job seekers down. It is a system that doesn't work for vulnerable people and acknowledges there are many that face barriers to work that is never acknowledged. He admitted government needed to have skin in the game. Per Capita had Julian speak at the monthly John Cain lunch. Most importantly he said only public servants should have the power to breach a person of their income. A system that ACOSS says is a major contributor to the 1.2 million children and young people who live in poverty. You can listen to it

https://percapita.org.au/blog/2024/02/27/employment-services-inquiry-findings-and-implications-for-public-services-with-julian-hill/

You may also like to read the GetUp report punishment for profit that refers to how the broken employment system is punishing vulnerable people. You can find it here

https://punishmentforprofit.org/

Seeking Interview Participants: Youth Workers with Long-Term Careers

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 10:00:51 GMT

There is an exciting opportunity for youth workers to contribute to research, please see below for more information:

Hello, I’m John Sutcliffe from Edith Cowan University and I’m conducting research into youth workers with long-term careers for my PhD. I am looking to interview around 10 graduate youth workers and 10 non-graduate youth workers with 20+ years’ experience in youth work from Victoria. The purpose of the research is to see how their experiences can contribute to theory on career choice, development, and sustainability. Focussing on youth work to inform career theory has never been done like this, so this is really exciting!

If you are a youth worker in Victoria with 20+ years’ experience in the youth work field and you would like to be involved in this research, please email for more information at: j.sutcliffe@ecu.edu.au

Online Youth Work Survey - European Union Erasmus+ Youth in Action programme.

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 09:58:13 GMT

Dear YWA member,

We are participating along with international youth work associations in researching the professionalisation of youth work, supported by the European Union Erasmus+ Youth in Action programme. We encourage you as a YWA member to take part in the online survey.

Please click on link to survey: https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/D4CABE6066CA7F11

This survey is designed for Youth Workers currently working (either in paid or voluntary capacity) with young people in either Australia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland or Serbia. If you identify as a Youth Worker (regardless of your official title). The survey takes 15-20 minutes to complete. You do not have to disclose your name, contact details or any other identifiable information. Taking part of the survey is voluntary.

Many Thanks,

YWA

Living, Learning and Building Professional Youth Work Practice

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 09:56:47 GMT

The YWA has published this paper under our relevant industry category. We have not endorsed the paper but we are releasing it to our membership because we believe it makes a contribution to current discussions. The YWA does disclaim any liability in connection to the use of this information.

This paper is about the lived and learnt experience and its contribution to professional youth work practice. We hope you find the article of interest.

Living, Learning and Building Professional Youth Work Practice by Emeritus Professor Robyn Broadbent

The knot: An essay collection on the interconnectedness of poverty, trauma, and multiple disadvantage

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 09:55:30 GMT

This report led by Lankelly Chase, an English charity that has a focus on young people in the criminal justice system provides us with more evidence on the connection between poverty, multi-layered disadvantage and trauma in repeat offenders. Unless we work harder at understanding offending behaviour and intervening in the causes there are young people who will have an inevitable life trajectory of incarceration. Surely as a society, we can do better than condemning young people before their life has had an opportunity to flourish.

Find the full report here.

AYAC AGM

Thu, 25 Nov 2021 09:54:15 GMT

Dear YWA Members,

Emeritus Professor Robyn Broadbent is standing for the AYAC Board as an endorsed representative of Youth Workers Australia. We would like to have the voice of youth workers on the board.

If you or your organisation is a member of AYAC we invite you to vote for Robyn in the National Youth Organisation category. Voting is open now.

To join AYAC please follow this link.

Notice of AYAC Annual General Meeting 2021 and Special Resolution

The Board of the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) is hosting the AYAC Annual General Meeting online on Tuesday 30 November 2021 at 6–7:30PM AEDT.

Register

The AYAC AGM is scheduled for 30 November 2021 at 6–7:30PM AEDT. The meeting will be hosted online and you can register to attend at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkcuiprD8jGtRzz2fqQQHsoBNJosPvBcwJ

Jesuit Social Services: Dropping Off the Edge 2021

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 09:50:05 GMT

Since 1999 the Jesuits Social Services have been reminding us that Australia is not an equal society and poverty and disadvantage is intergenerational. Their latest report highlights the most disadvantaged communities and the same ones top the list. Young people in these communities see intergenerational poverty that has a dramatic impact on their life trajectories. It is, unfortunately, compelling reading.

To find out more click here.

Find the full report here.

Finalisation of Name Change

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 09:47:52 GMT

Dear YWA Members,

We have been working hard to finalise the change of name process and now we are officially Youth Workers Australia!

Our name may have changed but at the core, we still represent youth workers in Australia and are championing them as best we can!

To reflect this change our bank details have also changed:

Bendigo Bank

Youth Workers Australia Inc.

BSB: 633-000

Account: 144078003

Bank: Community Sector Banking

Thank you to those that have paid membership fees this year, please see below for more information about our membership, if you have any queries please do not hesitate to email me at membership@ywa.org.au

Student Membership/Cert IV - $5.00

Is currently enrolled in any youth work course from CERT IV to Bachelor of Youth Work.

Graduate - $25.00

Has graduated with a Bachelor of Youth Work within the last year.

Full Member - $50.00

Is a youth worker with a Bachelor of Youth Work degree.

Associate - $50.00

Has extensive youth work experience and a diploma.

Alternate Membership - $50.00

Has 5 years experience in the sector and has gained qualifications in other disciplines, i.e. Community services, community development and other courses that have a significant component of youth & community, youth mental health or AOD. Find the Alternate Membership Applicationhere.

Organisational (Price on Application)

For more information please enquire at membership@ywa.org.au

Memberships are tax-deductible.

With thanks,

Helen

YWA Membership Officer

Upcoming Annual General Meeting

Thu, 07 Oct 2021 09:46:04 GMT

Youth Workers Australia is pleased to announce we have an upcoming Annual General Meeting.

Come along and hear what exciting things YWA have been up to this year and meet our board!

When? Thursday, 4th November 2021, 5 PM

Where? Via Zoom

Please RSVP by emailing info@ywa.org.au before 27th October 2021, the Zoom link will be sent out 1 week prior to the meeting.

2021 Youth Work Week Coffee Trials

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 10:44:47 GMT

By Emeritus Professor Robyn Broadbent, CAYWA Chair

International Youth Work Week is celebrated by the Commonwealth Youth Program every year. This year the week runs from November the 1st. The Commonwealth Alliance of Youth Worker Associations (CAYWA) is looking to deliver some workshops during the week but we are very keen to firstly launch the coffee trials that ran last year.

You are committing to a virtual cup of coffee with a colleague from a different country. It is when we reach out to our colleagues we learn more about what we share in common and we also learn about the context in which our colleagues work.

Please promote the coffee trials with your colleagues, sign up and be a part of a fun activity that shares our passion for Youth Work and celebrates the difference that Youth Workers make in the lives of vulnerable young people.

Youth Communication and Engagement Playbook

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 10:42:29 GMT

VicHealth has been working with YMCA (and their partners) to develop content for the Virtual Y platform and as a result have created the Youth Communication and Engagement Playbook. This Playbook is for anyone who creates content online that speaks to young people. It has been designed to be easy-to-use, and to help you post in a way that encourages connection and conversation with young people, because after all, that is what it is all about.

To access the playbook follow this link.

Youth Work Matters Survey

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 10:41:07 GMT

On behalf of YACVic and Youth Work Matters working group, the YWA would like to invite our members, as people who work with and supports young people, and/or as an employer of people who work with and support young people, to participate in the below surveys.

You will be helping to increase the understanding of the valuable role you and so many other workers play in young people’s lives, and the need and opportunities related to investing more extensively in youth programs and services in Victoria.

Each survey should take about 10 minutes to complete. We really appreciate you taking the time, and encouraging your colleagues and peers to also complete the surveys, by 17 September 2021.

Follow these links to the surveys:

Survey for people who work with and support young people: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z8FPYPQ

Survey for employers of people who work with young people: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZV5W23G

The surveys are completely confidential. Results will be analysed by the Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic).

Please also forward this email to colleagues and peers who work with young people in Victoria, so we can make the survey as comprehensive and meaningful as possible.

Thank you so much for your input on this important matter.

An Update from Youth Workers Australia

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 10:38:17 GMT

As you may know there have been significant changes to the funding of higher education by the Australian Government. On 13 December 2020, the Australian Government, Department of Education, Skills and Employment introduced a new ‘professional pathway’ stream for students studying Youth Work, and recognised the YWA as the accrediting body for Youth Work degrees nationally.

A Professional Pathway Youth Work degree is one in which it is compulsory for students to undertake the units relevant to professional registration as a Youth Worker. This also means that for students enrolled in an accredited Professional Pathway degree in Youth Work, that units in Human Welfare Studies and Services (FOE codes starting with 0905) will be considered part of the professional pathway and charged at a lower rate than other social science units. Please follow the link for more information https://www.dese.gov.au/professional-pathways

As a result of these changes and in recognition of the national role that the YWA is playing in accrediting and recognising professional youth workers across Australia, the board of the YWA have decided to change the name of the association to Youth Workers Australia. This historic change was put to a vote of members at an extraordinary general meeting held on 22 July and was unanimously endorsed. The YWA will continue to liaise with existing and/or emerging state based bodies and will continue to accept membership applications from any person who has undertaken a recognised Youth Work qualification and meets the criteria for membership. See link for more information on YWA membership

A big thank you to everyone who has supported us at the YWA, we look forward to continuing our work as Youth Workers Australia!

Global Youth Development Index

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 10:35:32 GMT

By Emeritus Professor Robyn Broadbent

The Commonwealth Youth Program recently released the 2020 Youth Development Index. This is the third Youth Development Index and is the only one of its kind that seeks to interrogate the progress of young people across the globe using key indicators such as health, employment and civic participation.

Whilst overall, the index shows advances in youth’s participation in peace processes and their education, employment, inclusion and health care since 2010. It also provides a stark contrast to those young people in countries where their scores have gone backwards evidencing a downward trend in their opportunities, health and well-being. It is also notable on this terrible day where Afghanistan has lost its way to a brutal, patriarchal regime that up until 2020 Afghanistan had made the largest progress in the key indicators lifting their score by 15%. The YDI will now stand as a testament to that history. Nevertheless, improvement in other countries is to be celebrated as this is all about young people.

It is important to note that Australia is 56 and 61 in the employment and health and wellbeing indexes.

For many young people, Australia doesn’t feel so lucky when their health and employment opportunities are so compromised. Youth Workers around Australia can add testament to the toll that poor access to mental health services and barriers to meaningful and stable employment has on so many. The index uses evidence collected before the pandemic. For Australian young people, the results in 2021 will be far worse. This puts a spotlight on the role of Youth Work in every community to enable and support young people in this global pandemic.

To see more of the global youth development index see here!

International Youth Day

Thu, 12 Aug 2021 10:34:06 GMT

Today is International Youth Day and should be celebratory. At the YACVic conference, I see the many reasons why we should be celebrating our young people for the amazing things they are doing with and for their communities.

Instead, this is a generation that has experienced the harshest impact due to COVID. The impact on employment has been significant, compounded by the fact that young people are a part of a growing casualised workforce. The mental health and well being of young people has also been adversely affected due to lockdowns and in particular the lack of access to mental health services that are experienced by many young people particularly in rural and regional communities. There is no national youth policy or strategy that can provide young people with a voice and where their challenges are acknowledged.

Nevertheless, Happy International Youth Day from Youth Workers Australia, who represent the work of professional Youth Workers who strive to make a difference in young people’s lives and ensure that they have a seat at the table.

Membership Fees are Due!

Tue, 10 Aug 2021 10:33:31 GMT

Dear YWA Members,

Just a reminder that membership fees are due by 30/9/2021!

Please contact membership@ywa.org.au to renew your membership.

Fees are:

$5 Student

$25 Graduate

$50 Associate

$50 Full

Global Youth Development Index ‘Taking Charge of our Future’

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 10:32:16 GMT

The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC Secretary-General of the Commonwealth

invites you to

The launch of our flagship Global Youth Development Index ‘Taking Charge of our Future’

8 PM (AEST) on Tuesday 10 August 2021

Join the special worldwide newscast on Facebook here or on YouTube here.

Changes to Youth Work Education in Australia - AYAC Event

Sat, 17 Jul 2021 10:30:56 GMT

Calling all youth work professionals, education providers and students!

The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) is hosting an event in August to explore changes to youth work education in Australia. The sector is undertaking a new process to accredit Bachelor of Youth Work courses and the Diploma of Youth Work and Certificate IV in Youth Work are currently being reviewed and updated. AYAC is introducing these changes and the impact for students and the youth sector at this online event and answering your questions.

When? 25 August 2021 11AM–12PM AEST

Register: www.ayac.org.au/events/youth-work-education

AYAC has relaunched a new website with an accompanying newsletter, to keep up to date follow this link!

Essentials of Youth Work - MOOC

Wed, 19 May 2021 10:25:22 GMT

The Massive Open Online Course on Essentials of Youth Work, developed by the EU-Council of Europe youth partnership, will provide insights on how youth work can help us create an enabling environment for young people in these difficult times, as well as explore answers to the following questions:

What is youth work?

Who is it for?

Where does it come from?

How is it done and by whom?

How does one become a youth worker?

How is youth work supported?

How is it linked to youth policy?

MOOC on Essentials of Youth Work - Join the course!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzBsB-3FndY

Objective

The aims of the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) are:

• Make youth work known to a wide audience and draw attention to its social value;

• Provide an overview of youth work practices and policies; and

• Present current developments in this field.

Expected Outcomes

The learning is expected to generate the following outcomes:

• Become more familiar with the ‘basics’ of youth work (concepts and definitions, forms, practices, approaches, objectives, actors at European and national levels);

• Gain an overview of how youth work is supported (through policies and strategies, youth work research, education of youth workers, funding, etc.);

• Get inspired by the diverse good practices existing in Europe on different aspects of youth work; and

• Reflect on the future of youth work in Europe and on how to engage in youth work developments.

Applicants

The MOOC is for:

• Students involved in youth work studies or learners involved in non-formal education processes related to youth work;

• Volunteer or paid youth workers;

• Youth work managers;

• Responsible persons for planning youth work at municipal level;

• Youth organisations and other youth platforms;

• Those involved in youth work policy making or in funding youth work;

• Youth workers’ education providers;

• Researchers; and

• Other persons interested in exploring the youth work and youth development.

Course Fee

The MOOC is free of charge.

Course Link

If you are interested in the MOOC click the links below to:

· Enrol in the course: ➡️ https://canvas.instructure.com/enroll/CN8FTT

· Join the Facebook event for future updates ➡️ https://www.facebook.com/events/215414940342626

and connect on 17 May 2021 and discover the second module.

Schedule

The course runs from 17 May 2021.

The aim is to offer this opportunity to as many young people and interested learners as possible and we would be grateful if you could also share the following posts on your social media platforms with your youth ministries and departments, as well as networks:

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eucoeyouth/posts/155220159939976

- Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/215414940342626

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tv/COiXneKCOsV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

- Twitter: https://twitter.com/eucoeyouth/status/1390335626139115530

- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6796101318877552640

- Youtube: https://youtu.be/yzBsB-3FndY (promo video)

Māori and Pasifika symposium - online from NZ

Thu, 13 May 2021 10:22:49 GMT

This event is a great opportunity for youth workers in Australia to explore practice with Māori and Pasifika to contribute to professional development. This is a social work based event, but all who would find it valuable are invited.

Speakers include:

Hinewirangi Kohu-Morgan - Keynote Address
Eugene Ryder - Positive Role Modelling
Dr Analosa Veukiso-Ulugia - ‘Le Va Fealoa’i’: Partnering and collaborating with, and for, Pacific communities in Aotearoa, New Zealand
Jonelle McNeill & Agnes Kapisi-Sevi - Paiheretanga: Changing the narrative around vulnerability and at-risk whānau
Dr Moana Eruera - Au I te whānau - Reflections on fulfilling our individual obligations to whānau collective wellbeing
Tā Mark Solomon - A walk on the sad side

The event is live-streamed, which makes it accessible to those in Australia.

Tickets

Facebook Event

1st June 9 am-4.30 pm NZ time

Youth Work - A Definition

Tue, 04 May 2021 10:18:36 GMT

By Dr Robyn Broadbent

Recently the YACVIC Forum on Youth Work have posed the question around the need for a Youth Work Definition. Some seemed to be unaware of the previous work and the work of others on this topic. If we lose our history we are destined to keep repeating the same work. When we look at where we have come from we can redefine, critique and grow from the foundations that have been established.

Currently, the Commonwealth Youth Worker Alliance has produced a Global Definitions document which includes the AYAC definition. It evidences the commonality we share with many with regards to defining Youth Work. This document found here includes both the AYAC definition and the Commonwealth Youth Program definition.

However, our starting point could be the body of knowledge that has been developed on defining Youth Work in Australia. This presentation that I delivered to the AYAC conference outlines that history including the research done by myself and Tim Corney in 2013. Is it definitive, of course not, as we grow as a profession then we must evolve our parameters. That is a much stronger position to be in than starting at the beginning and effectively wiping away our rich history. If you run the ppt show it will scroll through the national consultations, the opinions of Youth Workers from around Australia and in particular in Victoria on the key tenets of Youth Work.

Access PowerPoint Here

Reshape Our Future: 2021 Youth Forum and Sector Conference - YACVic

Sun, 25 Apr 2021 10:07:57 GMT

This year, YACVic will be holding a conference for young people and members of the youth sector focusing on the uncertainty, inequality and unprecedented challenges to Reshape our Future!

Reshape Our Future is a 1-day youth forum and 2-day youth sector conference, happening across five locations plus online, presented by YACVic from 31 May – 2 June.

Locations and Venues

Melbourne CBD - Marvel Stadium, Stark Room – 740 Bourke St, Docklands 3000
Lakes Entrance - Bellevue on the Lakes 201 Esplanade, Lakes Entrance 3909
Mildura - The Benetook Room, 190 Deakin Avenue, Mildura 3500
Wangaratta - Wangaratta Arts Centre, 33-37 Ford Street, Wangaratta 3677
Warrnambool - Deakin University Warrnambool Campus, Princes Highway, Warrnambool 3280
Online - using HopIn

This conference is endorsed by the YWA and will be attended by our board members, with Vice-Chairperson, Dr Tim Corney sitting on the panel for “Ethical Youth Work Towards Social Justice.”

So far, there are many speakers on the program, including a young person from each Conference location who will share insights about their region and the previous day’s Youth Forum. The conference will be valuable in many ways as we learn from local and international experts, including representatives from the leading international digital youth work organisation, Verke (Finland) and Dr Harry Shier!

This is a fantastic opportunity for members of the youth sector to come together again, learn and collaborate, working towards reshaping our future!

We hope to see you there!

Full Program

BUY TICKETS

Religion, Faith and Spirituality in Youth Work Training -Online Launch Event

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 10:07:17 GMT

Dr Naomi Thompson (Goldsmiths University) and Dr Lucie Shuker (Youthscape Centre for Research) will share the findings of their recent research, exploring the role of religion, faith and spirituality in youth work training on JNC recognised youth work courses in England.

The authors surveyed the leaders of 30 youth-work courses and analysed course descriptions available online, seeking to understand where religion, faith and spirituality are present and absent, and how they are perceived.

Join the authors and their guests, as they reflect on whether JNC-recognised programmes in English universities are equipping youth workers to work with diverse religious communities, and what the implications for future training might be.

Digital copies of the report will be available for free on the day of the event.

This research and event is supported by Youth and Policy and The Professional Association of Lecturers in Youth and Community Work.

Wednesday May 19th at 10.30 PM AEDT (1.30 PM UK TIME)

CLICK HERE TO ATTEND

Upcoming Webinar by VicHealth - 31st March 2021

Sun, 21 Mar 2021 09:03:17 GMT

The YWA would like to take a moment to advise all our members and friends about the upcoming webinar from VicHealth. This would be a fantastic opportunity for youth workers to gain some insight into what it is like to be a young person throughout these ever-changing and unpredictable times. This session could be valuable to all that work in the sector and could be seen as an extra resource to inform youth workers adapting to the unique challenges current young people face.

See below for more details and to register.

Re-imagining Young People’s Futures: including young voices in policy solutions

Wednesday 31 March 2021, from 10am to 11.30am.

“In this webinar, young people from the ‘Reimagining Young People’s Futures’ Youth Steering Group will share their experiences and insights. The conversation will highlight to policymakers how a range of issues impact the lives of young people and their ability to be active members of society. You’ll also hear from Dr Megan Lim and Dr Stephen Carbone about the ‘Coping with COVID’ survey and what can be done to support young people as we build back better.

Through this event, attendees will have a better understanding of how COVID-19 has changed the lives of young people, particularly their social connections, living arrangements and education. We hope that policymakers will consider what is shared and use it to shape future decisions, legislation and guidelines.”

Apply now for Ocean in a Drop!

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 09:04:34 GMT

The YWA would like to share an upcoming global personal development retreat for youth workers.

ComMutiny – the Youth Collective and Pravah in partnership with Commonwealth Secretariat are pleased to announce they will be conducting a six-day online course over three retreats between April & June 2021 (Retreat 1 , 5-9 April 2021, 2.5 days; Retreat 2 – 28-30th April, 2021, 1.5 days; and Retreat 3, 25-28 May 2021, 2.0 days). On completion of the course, participants will receive a joint certification by Commonwealth Secretariat, ComMutiny the Youth Collective and Pravah.

We are now inviting youth work practitioners to participate in the ‘Ocean in a Drop – Developing Inside out youth Leadership, an Online Course for Youth Workers/ Youth Facilitators’.

The course will explore four core themes:

1. Youth Development;

2. Design and Facilitation;

3. Systems Thinking; and

4. Deep Self Awareness.

The participants will be expected to do pre-work and apply their learnings through projects to be undertaken between the sessions. The course will be in the form of three learning retreats as stated above spread across the three months. Since experiential learning in the real world is a crucial component of this course, participants will be practicing the learnings on-ground at their place of work, between and after the learning retreats.

The three pivots of the journey will include: - The voyager (participant); - The navigator (organization and in retreat buddy); and - The learning retreat facilitator.

During the course, the voyager (participant) will:

Develop, lead, and implement strategies for deepening their intervention and your institutions’ (organisations/collectives/ associations) engagement with young people by processing real life challenges they are facing.
Design and facilitate high impact interventions using creative methodologies including cross-border exposures, self-exploratory psychological tools and stimulating experiences.
Enhance organizational effectiveness by applying systems thinking to their real-world challenge
Delve into personal transformation.
Be mentored by and learn with experienced facilitators and participants in the field of youth leadership. We are pleased to announce that following this online course, participants will be able to apply for a challenge pot at the end of the programme. This challenge pot is an opportunity for participants to apply their learnings from this course to follow up projects in their country. Further details of this will be shared during the selection process.

To confirm participation, candidates should register ASAP, registrations have been extended, so don’t wait to register!

Selection Criteria

Must be a youth worker, youth development professional or educator working on youth leadership programmes, with at least 3 years of experience working with young people.

Be a representative of an institution that:

Already work in a sustained manner with young people, with a well-established field presence and familiarity in community contexts.
Explicitly commit to youth work and youth development work and have staff who have good youth engagement skills already.
Have a solid good practice to demonstrate in relation to youth work practices.
Rights-based values and can demonstrate that their approaches are rights-based Fluency in verbal and written English.
Experience of on the ground facilitation.
Openness to learning, celebrating, teamwork and keen interest in engaging with others and contributing to peer learning of co-voyagers and facilitators.
Ability to engage with basic online tools including excellent working knowledge of MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Have access to reliable internet facilities.
Commitment to complete post-retreat learning processes and practices with their colleagues and co-workers on the ground.
Facilitators selected for the programme will need to commit to pre and post-retreat engagement.

Selection will be based on a competency-based assessment of the candidates to engage fully in the journey. The selection process will include a form to be filled by the applicant and an online meeting with the retreat facilitators and CYP team.

APPLICATION FORM

If more information is required, your office may contact l.robinson@commonwealth.int.

Talanoa Report

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 08:59:48 GMT

This report nails the real challenges for the Pacifica Communities. Although it is based in Aotearoa it has lessons for us in Australia. These communities have strong culture and connection, they are aspirational for their children and want to succeed. However, generational poverty, low-income jobs, human rights abuses mean that they cannot breach the barriers that they face.

Until we own a much more interventionist approach to ensuring equity of outcomes for this and other communities we are going to continue to see the very despairing outcomes translating into higher juvenile justice presentations, poor educational outcomes and higher levels of family and other violence.

To read the report click here

Finding the Right Communication Tools…

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 08:57:56 GMT

By Jane Hickey - Victoria University

At the most basic level, communication requires a sender, a receiver and a message. Let’s consider this blog post. As the author, I am considered the sender of information regarding communication, as the blog readers you are the receivers, and hopefully the message will become clear- Communication tools become the vehicle for getting the message from the sender to the receiver and then back again! There are many different ways to communicate a message, from billboards, to podcasts, a protest rally or a handwritten letter to name a few. The sender may target one receiver, or there maybe thousands of receivers of the message. Communication is a means to build relationships, express emotions and feelings, have our needs met, make a contribution to the community and to be understood and validated. There are times when the message and meaning is clear, such as ‘Will you marry me?’ and other times where the message can be interpreted in several different ways, for example song lyrics!

Many of us rely on verbal communication and pragmatic language in our day to day life. Verbal interactions occur at work and school, in your family and personal life, and running everyday errands in your local community. Pragmatic language requires language to be used for different purposes, changing language according to the environment and context and following social rules regarding conversation.

So, what happens if the young person that you support has not acquired verbal speech?

Being referred to as ‘non-verbal’ is deficit focused and infers that verbal speech is the ‘norm’ or what ‘should’ be attained. A person who has not acquired speech can be a very effective communicator when they have access to tools that assist the communication process. Someone using Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) has a diversity of communication tools available for effective interactions between the sender and receiver. There are so many examples of AAC tools available- many at no cost or low cost, and also no tech and tech options. No tech options are vital for communities were internet and technological resources are not available or cost prohibitive.

Using an interdisciplinary team working together with a young person at the centre will have the best outcomes for the young person. Ensure that all practitioners working with the young person are empowering, directed by the young person and committed to effective communication (rather than solely focused on acquiring speech).

Check out the resource list and webinar here for further information about AAC tools…..

Review of the Family Violence Information Sharing Legislative Scheme: final report

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 09:56:28 GMT

Jude McCulloch, JaneMaree Maher, Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Marie Segrave, Kathryn Benier, Kate Burns, Jasmine McGowan, Naomi PfitznerThe Family Violence Information Sharing Guidelines were developed to ensure entitiesinternal policies and practices are consistent with the Family Violence InformationSharing Scheme.

The Guidelines state that information sharing entities must updatetheir privacy and other organisational policies accordingly. The Guidelines also clarifythat information sharing entities are obliged to follow privacy laws, which includecommunicating to clients how their information may be used or disclosed.

This report provides the 21 key recommendation made.

https://apo.org.au/sites/default/files/resource-files/2020-08/apo-nid307649_0.pdf

Feel free to send us your comments or feedback at info@ywa.org.au

Implementing an integrated STEM education in schools: five key questions answered

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 09:45:13 GMT

This report considers five key questions commonly asked about STEM education:

What is STEM education?
Why is it important?
How do we include STEM in school education?
What impact is STEM education likely to have on students?
What will be the indicators of success?

STEM education?

It reviews some 200 international research papers to examine the main features of integrated STEM education, how it has been implemented in schools, and how an integrated STEM curriculum.

Feel free to send us your comments or feedback at info@ywa.org.au