Letters: UKYP defends girl's jewellery
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
In reference to the comment on knuckledusters in Your Say (CYP Now, 8-14 October), the jewellery in question was an undersized plastic pendant that the young person chose to wear as she addressed business leaders about the need to listen to young people.
This pendant is recognised by young people as being about incorporating street culture as a means of expression and UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) felt comfortable, knowing that this was not intended as any glorification of violence, in supporting this inspirational young leader's right to express herself. The wider issue of acceptable boundaries - of imagery, of personal expression and of who retains control in decision-making - is one that makes working with young people constantly educational and rewarding.
Andy Hamflett, chief executive, UK Youth Parliament
Youth workers need training
Shaun Bailey's comments about professionalisation damaging youth work miss the point.
I agree about the worth of untrained committed workers with the right instincts. However, there are untrained workers who struggle because of lack of skills to work in the way good training promotes. Good youth work training is about understanding what youth work is at a profound level and being able to apply this to practice.
Do we value our young people so lowly that putting untrained workers in front of them is acceptable? Professional youth workers need training on procedures relating to issues such as child protection, health and safety and finance. There are also Ofsted inspections.
Tim Price, chair, National Youth and Community Workers' Committee, Unison
Care is not the only solution
We welcome Action for Children's efforts to raise awareness of child neglect in the UK. If more cases of neglect are being picked up on and dealt with that is a very good thing.
However, it would be of great concern if all reports of neglect culminate in children being taken into care. Family Action's experience is that home-based family support can be effective in turning around the situation of families in crisis where there is concern for children.
Helen Dent, chief executive, Family Action The editor, Children & Young People Now, 174 Hammersmith Road, London W6 7JP
020 8267 4706
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