Young youth workers can come from youth groups, leadership programmes, volunteering and many other avenues. To ensure they can be at their best it’s important to make sure young people are well equipped, supported and confident to make the best decisions to keep everyone safe.

AUTHORS:
Anahera Pickering
, Whangarei Youth Space, Whangarei
Eddy Davis-Rae, BGI, Wellington
JD Douglas, Salvation Army Central Youth Services, Petone
Kyanna Hetaraka-Rua, South Auckland Youth Network, Strive Community Trust, South Auckland
Madeline Francis, Youth Voice Canterbury, Christchurch
Manan Acharya
, Ignite Sport, Lower Hutt
Matthew Algar
, Action Education, Auckland.

We acknowledge the gift and taonga that it is to be young and working alongside young people.
We also acknowledge the unique challenges we may face working alongside young people.

We have incredible young youth workers across Aotearoa. In order for them to be at their best we need to ensure they are well supported to work ethically. This includes self-care, professional development and knowledge of the risks and benefits of working with a young person as a young youth worker.

It’s essential that as a young youth worker you practice ethical Youth Work and that the management and organisation are responsible for ensuring their employee is supported to do so.

Being young and working with young people is an amazing privilege. The Code of Ethics has been a key tool in supporting us to navigate the highs and lows of our practice. We are pleased that this third edition is creating space to highlight this important conversation for young youth workers, who are a key part of the wider youth sector.

Essential Tools To Support A Young Youth Worker In Aotearoa

  • Understand and uphold the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
  • Attend Code of Ethics training
  • Understand the Code of Ethics and function under principles of Mana Taiohi
  • Attend regular supervision
  • Professional development.

“I’ve had trouble with how I have been treated in an organisation. You need to know your rights and where to get support.”

Young people being youth workers is often a product of good Youth Work! Whai wāhitanga in practice!

“I became a leader in an organisation that I had been a young person in. This gave me an awesome understanding, but also made things more tricky with my mates.”