Sector blasts youth work status

The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) began piloting the Youth Professional Status in nine areas this month.

The award will be given to graduates working within integrated youth support services who will be assessed against the new youth professional standards, which include having a strong understanding of integrated working.

But Doug Nicholls, Unite national officer for youth and community workers and the not-for-profit sector, said that the programme faced strong opposition at a recent CWDC meeting. "It was clear neither the professionals, unions nor employers want this development," he said. "It is unwieldy and too costly."

Last year, CYP Now reported CWDC as saying the status "will not be a qualification, registration, licence, or a new type of role". Following a three-month consultation process last year the organisation found 57 per cent of respondents in support of the proposal.

But Helen Hibbert, spokeswoman for the Network of Regional Youth Work Units, said: "We have picked up no great enthusiasm from either statutory or voluntary sectors for this.

There are no resources in place to support its implementation."

A Unison spokeswoman said she believes the lack of a financial incentive coupled with a time-consuming process would deter candidates.

Miriam Jackson, director of the regional youth work unit in Yorkshire and Humber, where two of the nine pilots are taking place, said professionals in a working group which she leads, had raised concerns: "They are waiting to see what the pilots show but are concerned about the dilution of youth work. There is a fear the status will detract from specialist skills and competencies."

But the Confederation of Heads of Young People's Services has backed the scheme, saying it is a way of raising standards across integrated youth services.

CWDC declined to comment because of pre-election purdah.