CYP Now - Union calls for national register of youth workers

Youth work should be legally protected by ensuring only qualified practitioners can use the title "youth worker" with their names recorded on a national register, a union has suggested.

The Unite union has urged the new government to prioritise youth services and the youth work profession by professionalising its status.

Unite national officer for community, youth and play workers Colenzo Thorpe-Jarret told CYP Now youth workers should have the same legal status as other children's services practitioners, such as teachers or social workers, who are unable to use their title unless they have achieved recognised qualifications.

He said the future government should also create a universal youth service protected in statute, and a national register of youth workers.

He warned that current policies were putting children and young people at risk, as "at the moment anyone can call themselves a youth worker without qualifications or training, even though there are qualifications in place".

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