Youth Work and Youth Services: Practice example - 'Pod' youth workers, Windsor and Maidenhead Council

ACTION

In April 2014, Windsor and Maidenhead Council's youth service was brought under the management of a new head of early help and safeguarding, who was keen to bring staff from different disciplines together to improve outcomes.

This resulted in five Maidenhead-based social work "pods", each consisting of a small group of social workers at different levels, working alongside specialists such as parenting workers, sharing three youth workers between them. Training was provided to ensure social workers and youth workers understood each other's roles.

The case-holding social worker makes a referral to a youth worker for help with a 12- to 18-year-old on a child protection, child in need, care or leaving care plan. "It would typically be young people who are hard to engage, for whom a different approach is required," explains senior youth worker, Craig Johnston. "Youth workers are often a valuable source of knowledge on community assets including housing, benefits, education, employment and training, and social activities. Often, social workers know instinctively when a youth worker is required."