Youth work institute unveils draft code of ethics

The youth sector development body’s draft code covers issues from protecting young people’s privacy to ensuring youth workers do not have sexual relationships with young people.

All those wanting to become a member of the body will be required to sign up to the code.

A consultation surrounding the draft code has just launched, with a deadline for responses of 24 July.

The National Youth Agency (NYA), which is backing the institute, wants views from the youth sector on any aspects of youth work the code does not cover, or whether it needs to be more or less prescriptive in its guidance to youth workers.

But the NYA concedes that more work needs to be done to ensure action can be taken against youth workers that breach the code.

In launching the draft code the NYA said: “As it stands, we recognise that the code does not give sufficient guidance to be able to make decisions on revoking membership for poor practice. More work needs to be done by the IYW membership committee on how this process should work.”

The code will also require youth workers to declare any conflicts of interest when working with a young person and to “encourage ethical debate with colleagues, managers, employers and young people”.

A code of ethics was called for by youth workers, who took part in a previous consultation.

This latest consultation document adds that once approved the code needs to be backed up with practical and detailed examples of good practice.

Maralyn Smith, NYA national programme manager, added: “The code of ethics will be an opportunity to unify all our members.”

IYW membership will be open to professional, volunteer and student youth workers.