Youth Work Commentary on Code of Ethics

During the consultation and development phase of the Code of Ethics for Community Learning and Development there were suggestions from youth work managers and youth workers that a commentary focusing on ethical practice in youth work settings would be helpful.

In early 2011, YouthLink Scotland, on behalf of the Standards Council, convened focus groups, held telephone interviews and organised consultation seminars with youth work managers and practitioners about what such a document should contain and what it should look like. The commentary was designed and then tested with managers, senior practitioners and with young people.
We hope that this publication will stimulate thinking about ethical practice not just with those working with young people. The guiding principles, questions and resource materials will also have relevance for those in community development and adult learning settings.

The document

We have published two versions of the Youth Work Commentary:

Full Youth Work Commentary

The full commentary, prepared by YouthLink Scotland, which describes and analyses the context, the range of responses received and how the commentary was developed.

The summary version which comprises the Code with questions, guiding principles and illustrations.

We would like to thank all of the young people and practitioners who participated in the consultation, over the phone and in person; their investment means that this commentary reflects the reality of youth work contexts and practice.

We would also like to encourage you to continue to offer your feedback on the Code and the commentary: have you found it useful? How have you used it in practice? contact us and let us know.