Youth work licensing system likely to be introduced next year

By Andy Hillier Thursday, 23 October 2008

A licence to practise for youth workers could be introduced next year, the head of the Community and Youth Workers' Union (CYWU) has claimed.

Doug Nicholls

Doug Nicholls, general secretary of the CYWU, said that despite concerns in some parts of the voluntary youth sector, a licensing system for qualified staff was likely to be introduced as part of wider reforms to the children's workforce.

Last week, Pam Griffin, former chair of the Association of Principal Youth & Community Officers (Aypco), told the organisation's annual conference that she believed a full licence for youth workers would never be introduced.

But Nicholls, who is part of a group of organisations involved in government-level discussions about the future of the youth workforce, said Griffin's comments were misplaced. A licensing system "is more likely now than it has ever been," said Nicholls. "Almost every professional wants one."

Nicholls refused to say whether the forthcoming children's workforce strategy would include a full youth work license but confirmed he expected some sort of system to be introduced in 2009. It is anticipated that a passport-style registration scheme will be introduced initially (CYP Now, 16-22 October), and this will be followed by a full licence for professional status youth workers.

However, Fiona Blacke, chief executive of The National Youth Agency, said it was unlikely that a professional council would be created to oversee a licensing system. "I just get the feeling that government won't support it," she told delegates at last week's Apyco conference.

Nicholls added he believed this role could be played by a committee comprising of existing youth sector organisations.

Some voluntary sector organisations fear a youth work license could put off volunteers from joining the sector. A DCSF spokesperson said: "Government has said it would explore codes of conduct and issues around licensing as a part of its overall strategy of youth workforce reform. It is too early to say what the outcomes will be."