Youth workers gather to challenge government policy

Last week's national conference organised by the In Defence of Youth Work campaign attracted a 140-strong crowd, mainly made up of youth workers.

Campaigners at the event said an emphasis on targets and accreditation is undermining the efforts of youth workers who are trying to make meaningful relationships with young people, and provide services driven by their needs.

Other concerns expressed included a shift in the nature of detached youth work with too much of a focus on policing and surveillance.

"The key messages coming out of the conference was a lot of anger about the way the basic priorities of youth work are being undermined," said youth work expert Bernard Davies, who is contributing to the campaign.

"There's a lot of feeling that it is becoming hard to practice under the pressure of having to meet targets, and that targeted work starts with policy definitions rather than needs identified by young people."

Davies added that concerns were also raised about resources being targeted away from small local provision in favour of the government's Myplace programme.

During the conference a steering group of around 15 members was formed to co-ordinate the campaign.

The next steps will include reclaiming the national Youth Work Week, which campaigners say has been discarded by the National Youth Agency, and gathering evidence to support its case.

The conference took place at Manchester Metropolitan University, and campaign members have agreed to meet again in autumn.