Howard Williamson's point about the youth sector's identity crisis is correct, but his analysis is flawed (cypnow.co.uk, 6 December). The Institute for Youth Work (IYW) grew out of the desire to tackle the very issues he mentions.
Consultation across the sector found that youth workers wanted a body to heighten the profile of the profession as well as improve the quality of youth work provision. As the sector becomes fragmented, the need for an institute does not lessen, it increases.
While the numbers of individual youth workers registering with the IYW shows a slow but steady increase - surely not that surprising given the austerity and job uncertainty facing many - we are finding significant support from organisations who see the institute as a way to show solidarity and support and invest in their students/employees/members. The IYW has 18 such organisational supporters, with a further 18 in the pipeline. By an increasing number of bodies the IYW is already recognised as a platform for youth workers.
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