Consultation on the Draft Implementation Plan 2007/ 2008

The youth sector in the ACT has been part of a vigorous debate on a code of ethics for youth work for over ten years. Throughout this time conferences, drafts, expert panels, debates and forums have occurred. In 2003 a Youth Work Code of Ethics was agreed to by the sector and launched at the Youth Coalition conference.

The Youth Coalition is committed to supporting the Code of Ethics and encourages all youth workers and services to adopt it.

We have drafted a Youth Work Code of Ethics Implementation Plan (see attached). The aim of the plan is to promote and support ethical practice in the youth sector through the voluntary implementation of the Youth Work Code of Ethics in the ACT.

We would like to inform and get feedback from the youth sector on this document. The plan will be:

• presented at the Youth Coalition monthly forum on 17 May;
• circulated to the youth sector for comment for 6 weeks; and,
• re-drafted and circulated to the sector in July.

If you have any feedback, comments or ideas please don’t hesitate to contact:

Carrie Fowlie, Deputy Director, on carrie@youthcoalition.net or 02 6247 3540.

Please note: There is no additional funding to conduct this implementation plan.

Key documents:

Youth Work Code of Ethics (ACT) (180KB PDF)

Youth Work Code of Ethics Draft Implementation Plan (116KB PDF)

Youth workers exist in the space created by young people’s exclusion from full membership of the common wealth, in the struggle by young people for survival and recognition on the one hand and the struggle by society for order and control on the other. The core of youth work practice lies in the relationship with the young person as the primary client, expressed through a commitment to advocacy and healing in their work with the young person and the wider society.

- Prologue, Youth Work Code of Ethics (ACT)