The Youth Work Act 2001 definition highlights four important dimensions of Youth Work,

1. Planned
2. Educational
3. Based on voluntary participation and
4. Provided primarily by voluntary Youth Work services.

The continued development and sustainability of Youth Work requires that these dimensions highlighted be identified, demonstrated and developed. The National Quality Standards Framework (NQSF) aims to ensure that Youth Work organisations provide quality services to young people. It also provides an opportunity to articulate their practice through the development of a common language within a structured framework. The NQSF is intended to be both practical and developmental, in that it will enable Youth Work organisations to assess service provision and to identify areas for development, within the spirit of a Continuous Improvement Process (CIP).

Link to NQSF

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b10560-national-quality-standards-framework-nqsf

Youth Work / Core Principles

• Young person-centred, recognising the rights of young people and holding as central their active and voluntary participation.
• Committed to ensuring and promoting the safety and well-being of young people.
• Educational and developmental.
• Committed to ensuring and promoting equality and inclusiveness in all its dealings with young people and adults
• Dedicated to the provision of quality Youth Work and committed to continuous improvement.