The National Youth Association (NYA) seminar, Lifting the Lid, was attended by hospital-based youth workers from across the country, as well as representatives of organisations such as Teenage Cancer Trust, Clic Sargent and the Department of Health.
Richard McKie, national programme manager for health at the NYA, believes hospital youth work needs its own voice, as it requires specific provisions.
"Most hospital-based youth workers have experience in local authorities and voluntary sector settings. To take what they do into the NHS represents a challenge - training and support needs are different," said McKie.
He added: "The job can take you from run-of-the-mill youth work skills right through to end-of-life palliative care. It is a niche service, and if you are in a niche you always need a certain degree of specialism."
Other issues raised at the seminar included a need for standardised guidelines between youth workers; better information sharing and a need for more understanding between youth workers and the NHS.
The NYA is currently exploring how to make a sustainable forum of hospital-based youth workers, with a view to another possible meeting in the new year.
Richard McKie would like to hear from any youth workers in hospitals or clinical settings. Email him at richardm@nya.org.uk
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