Youth Services: Phoenix in Footscary

Introduction

It is difficult to provide a specific connotation to youth services for it can have different interpretations for different people (Smith 2013). However analysis of the theories governing youth work provides five dimensions which enumerate the elements of youth services. These include focusing on young people; stimulating voluntary participation; enabling associations, relationships and communities; making youths friendly, accessible, responsive and high on integrity and lastly enhancing welfare of the youth (Smith 2013).

Services offered by the youth council

To carry forward and implement the above elements council youth services is a relevant and dynamic medium. One example of such youth service is the Phoenix Youth Center, operated by the Youth Services department of Maribyrnong City Council (Phoenix 2015). The center provides a platform for youths aged between 12-25 years to meet, interact, take part in activities and also access services and support (Phoenix 2015). The major services offered at the center are as below:

The services comprise a mix of self discovery, counseling, entertainment and education. From the above it can be summarized that services offered by the council youth services is meant to contribute to the overall development of youths and their personalities and acumen.

Role of Youth Workers

Based on the inputs received from several youth workers the basic role can be identified as helping youngsters in the age group of 12 years to 25 years in their emotional and social skill development. Such skill enhancement support is extended through an informal setting and following a process of education. It is the youth workers who provide new exposures to the members thus enhancing their confidence, making them ambitious and inculcating empathy within them. This is achieved by fostering close relationship between the worker and members. Insights received by youngsters through youth services prepare them to face the challenges of adulthood effectively and enhances their contribution of youths towards society. In summarization it can be stated that the role of youth workers covers a wide spectrum which includes providing support and counseling across number of issues ranging from behaviour to teenage parenting (Blacke 2013).

Challenges and rewards of youth work

Probably the most rewarding aspect of youth work is the satisfaction derived from knowing how such work can bring about a difference in the lives of many children and youths. It is youth workers who instill within them an understanding of their selves which in turn makes them more confident and astute to handle the challenges of daily life. Youth workers also help youngsters mitigate their problems through practical and proper guidance and counseling. Therefore the most significant reward is to be a part of the overall personality development of youngsters (Parker 2012). Inspite of the intrinsic satisfaction, contributions of youth workers are often subjected to criticism and influencing from different quarters. Youth workers have experiences of working on projects which given a choice they wouldn’t have. And in pursuit of developing an identity workers often play along. Accountability is also a challenge as justification of decision taken needs to be established. As decisions are taken in unison ascertaining accountability is an issue (Parker 2012). This lacuna also hinders functioning of youth workers.

Comparing collated information with literature

Literature about youth work outlines five key elements as has been highlighted above. Reflections of such elements are visible in activities undertaken by council youth services. Programs conducted by the reviewed youth service are designed to be platforms where youths can interact, bond, collaborate, educate and become responsive. Precisely what youth services are expected to do (Smith 2013)? Such services result in creating a social bond between the youth service worker and the youth which develops the sense of ‘I’ within both. Theories postulate that self can be experienced through relations and interactions which can be one-on-one or extended. Since service providers and youths interact in person over prolonged period, the impact can be profound and positive (Bessant & Watts 2007). It leads to the development of a societal composition which is healthy, happy, safe and proactive. Areas with strong youth services tend to be safe and also economically evolving (Smith 2013). Research has established that relation between workers and youths within the youth services framework has significant impact and hence they cannot be ignored. For the benefit of society it is important to utilize such relations to achieve desired results (Jeffs & Smith 2010). The positive impact was reflected among workers of the reviewed youth service demonstrating the relevance of theory. Workers of the youth service opined they felt more connected, positive and enthusiastic about meaningful contribution. Yet youth services are often viewed from political and social perspectives which can often constrain the outcome of such youth services (Tucker 2004). Instead of empowering such perspectives can heighten concerns. Regulations then take the place of responsibility and the effectiveness of the service is compromised (Tucker 2004).

References:

Bessant, J. & Watts, R. (2007). Sociology Australia. 3rd ed. na: Allen and Unwin. pp 135-156.

Blacke, F. (2013). So what does a youth worker do, exactly? Available: http://www.theguardian.com/careers/youth-worker-career. Last accessed 23rd June 2015.

Jeffs, T. and Smith, M. K. (2010). Youth work practice. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. na.

Parker, E. (2012). Stress and rewards: My life as a social worker. Available: http://www.open.edu/openlearn/body-mind/social-care/social-work/stress-and-rewards-my-life-social-worker. Last accessed 23rd June 2015.

Phoenix. (2015). About: Phoenix. Available: http://www.phoenixyouth.com.au/about/. Last accessed 23rd June 2015.

Smith, M. K. (2013). What is youth work? Exploring the history, theory and practice of youth work. Available: http://infed.org/mobi/what-is-youth-work-exploring-the-history-theory-and-practice-of-work-with-young-people/. Last accessed 23rd June 2015.

Tucker, S. (2004). Youth working: professional identities given, received or contested? In: J. Roche, S. Tucker, R. Thomson & R. Flynn (eds.) Youth in society: contemporary theory, policy and practice. London: Sage & Oxford University Press. pp 81-101.