“Youth workers currently holding or actively training for National Youth Agency (JNC)-recognised qualifications are classified as key/critical workers in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic,” a letter from the NYA and Department for Culture, Media and Sport states.
-
Interview: Kathryn Morley, OnSide chief executive
-
Youth jobs crisis: schemes set up to help young people find work
This means youth workers are now listed under the "key public services" and "local government" categories as either charity workers/volunteers or local authority staff/volunteers delivering key frontline services.
This will enable workers to travel to and from work and deliver services for vulnerable young people despite tightened restrictions due to a spike in coronavirus cases across the UK.
“This status applies for all workers who are actively delivering youth sector activity and youth work that is Covid secure and permitted in regulations in line with National Youth Agency guidance,” the letter adds.
Leigh Middleton, chief executive at the NYA, hailed the change to guidance as a “huge step in recognising the vital role and specialist skills that youth workers have, ensuring young people are supported during the pandemic”.
“It makes clear the importance of their frontline work now and as we prepare for Covid-19 recovery in the months – and years – ahead.
“As key workers seen to be providing an essential service, it gives a great boost to the professional status of qualified youth workers, and to up-skill all who work with young people. We are delighted this includes all those students and youth workers who are working towards NYA qualifications, and further supports take-up of the Level 2 and 3 bursaries for youth work training,” he said.
Organisations and youth workers celebrated the change of status on Twitter.
Youth Work and Community Development wrote: “Brilliant! Recognising the crucial role youth work can have within communities/society, especially in challenging and difficult times.”
💥Important that youth workers supporting vulnerable young people are being recognised as key workers. What they do is absolutely vital.
— Diana Barran (@dianabarran) January 7, 2021
Make sure to follow @NatYouthAgency for youth sector guidance - thank you for all you do.
Another youth worker added: “It’s a privilege to be a youth worker, celebrating the recognition and ongoing contributions to meaningful outcomes for young people.”
💥Important that youth workers supporting vulnerable young people are being recognised as key workers. What they do is absolutely vital.
— Diana Barran (@dianabarran) January 7, 2021
Make sure to follow @NatYouthAgency for youth sector guidance - thank you for all you do.
Youth Network called the change “the best news”.
As Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a third national lockdown, the NYA announced the youth work sector’s official alert system would move to the red tier, meaning the following activities can take place if a Covid-secure risk assessment has been carried out:
-
Online and digital youth services
-
Detached/outdoor local youth services
-
One-to-one sessions with vulnerable young people (indoors)
-
Small group work session indoors with vulnerable young people (consistent with social distancing guidelines)
