Through feedback from the sector we have made demonstrating the core competencies a requirement for membership for Korowai Tupu and made the levels of years’ experience and qualifications indicators to support the progression to Accredited Member status.

The Core Competencies for Youth Work are:

  1. Demonstrates an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi – Bicultural partnerships – the values and aspirations of Iwi Māori and non-Māori 
  2. Whakamana Taiohi: works in a strengths-based approach to whakamana Taiohi – Demonstrates their understanding of working from a strengths-based approach; to build on strength, respond to need and foster growth
  3. Acknowledging Mauri – Demonstrates understanding of the context of young people in Aotearoa 
  4. Whakapapa: Ko wai au, Ko wai koe, Ko wai tātou – Demonstrates the importance of supporting the development of identity in young people
  5. Te Ao: the world we are in – Demonstrates understanding of the context of youth work – the history, role, and practice of youth work 
  6. Explores Hononga: Identifying and strengthening connectedness – To build, strengthen or restore a young person’s connectedness to their key social environments
  7. Prioritises whanaungatanga: Building quality relationships – Demonstrates their understanding of building quality relationships creating a supportive environment, connect and work inclusively with young people from diverse backgrounds and cultures 
  8. Upholds and extends Manaakitanga: Caring for young people, ensuring their holistic safety – Demonstrate their understanding of ensuring the safety and well-being of young people 
  9. Practices Whai Wāhitanga: Creating space for youth participation – Demonstrates their understanding of facilitating youth participation to actively engage, involve and empower young people
  10. Informed by rich and diverse Mātauranga: Youth workers are reflective practitioners – Demonstrates an understanding of being a reflective youth work practitioner use of supervision and other tools to ensure their practice is healthy and developing.

In the Korowai Tupu application process you will be asked to use examples of your work with young people, your colleagues, your employer, models/theories of youth development, ethics and professional development – to demonstrate knowledge and practice against the competencies.