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Symposium: Exploring Outcomes in Youth Work and Related Provision

The Symposium took place on 24th July 2012 in Dublin Castle
 

Background

The Youth Affairs Unit (YAU) of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs is working in partnership with the Centre for Effective Services (CES) to enhance linkages with evidence-informed practice to ensure that youth work and related practice provision in Ireland is of high quality and is focused on achieving optimal outcomes. This work involves bringing together a wide range of people with an interest in this topic to discuss Exploring Outcomes in Youth Work and Related Provision at a Symposium held on 24 July 2012.

 Read associated Press Release

Purpose of the Symposium

The Symposium explored issues in relation to emerging findings from an international literature review (commissioned by CES on behalf of YAU) undertaken by the Institute of Education, London, which maps the research literature in relation to youth development.

The Symposium provided an opportunity:

1. For practitioners and managers of young people’s services, academics, researchers and others to share experience and learning with each other in relation to the three topic areas.
2. For participants to reflect on their own practice in light of the inputs from the speakers
3. For the considerations of the participants to inform the development of the Youth Policy Framework.

Speakers

Exploring Outcomes in Youth Work and Related Practice - Setting the Context, Conor Rowley (View Presentation)

Three speakers addressed current and future challenges to youth work and related provision, with reference to themes emerging from the international literature review.

1. Issues in focusing on outcomes in youth work and related provision Dr. John Bamber, Centre for Effective Services (View Presentation)

2. Current and emerging issues and trends in youth work practice and related provision Dr. Dana Fusco, Associate Professor, Department of Teacher Education, York College, City University of New York (View Presentation)

3. Exploring issues in measurement and accountability in youth work and related provision Dr. Dale Blyth, Associate Dean for Youth Development and Director of the Youth Work Institute, University of Minnesota Extension (View Presentation) 

Workshops

Afternoon workshops provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on the morning’s themes and share learning with regard to practice and related issues.

Target Audience

The primary target audience for the Symposium was front line and senior practitioners and managers in services for young people from across the public and voluntary sectors in Ireland. Other groups include academics, researchers, and other functions supporting practice such as human resources specialists, trainers, and consultants.