Joe Walker, detached youth work team leader, Walsall Youth Service
Joe Lepper
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Joe Walker leads a team of outreach youth workers in Walsall in the West Midlands.
Employer: Walsall Youth Service
Age: 48
Time in job: Four years
Salary range: £23,000 to £26,000
"Engaging with young people on their terms in their environment, whether it be a bus shelter or a park, is the most important part of detached youth work," says Joe Walker.
After more than two decades in youth work, including roles such as encouraging hard-to-reach groups participate in sport, Walker now leads a team of outreach youth workers in Walsall in the West Midlands.
The role also includes responsibility for the youth service's mobile detached technology bus, which travels around the area offering free computer training, internet access, online education about issues such as drug abuse, as well as the chance to use games consoles. "This is an important part of our work and has been created in partnership with organisations such as the police. We take the bus out about twice a day and it's really popular among young people," he says.
"The aspects I like the most about the job are meeting and supporting young people and working in partnership with colleagues in the police and health.
"The aspects I like the least are deciding on the areas of greatest need. That can lead to tough choices."
What advice does Walker offer to those considering getting involved in detached youth work or a team leader post? "You have to enjoy being with young people and be enthusiastic about that. Training is also important and I would urge people to take qualifications that are available in areas such as leadership and partnership working," he says.
MY DAY
10.00: Get into the office, check emails, pick up post.
10.30: Either take the technology bus out or run another morning outreach project
13.00: Take half an hour's lunch break
13.30: Take the bus out for another session in the community
16.00: Come back to the office and sort out paperwork, such as devising rotas
17.00: Head home.