Youth Workers as Social Workers

Abstract

A recent survey found, rather unsurprisingly, that young people view youth clubs as somewhere to go where they can meet and make friends and enjoy themselves in a relaxed atmosphere (DES, 1983). Top of the youngsters’ list of expectations of youth workers was not organisational ability, enthusiasm or activity skills, but willingness to focus on individuals, listen to their views and treat them as if they were capable of exercising responsibility.