The Nature and Purpose of Youth Work
The Isle of Man Government Department of Education adopted the following statement, from the National Youth Agency in 2001:
The purpose of youth work is to facilitate and support young people’s growth through dependence to interdependence, by encouraging their personal and social development and enabling them to have a voice, influence and place in their communities and society.
Youth work is informed by a set of beliefs which include a commitment to
equal opportunity, to young people as partners in learning and decision making and to helping young people to develop their own sets of values. We recognise youth work by these qualities (based on Davies 1996).

it offers its services in places where young people can choose to
participate;

it encourages young people to be critical in their responses to their own experience and to the world around them;

it works with young people to help them make informed choices about
their personal responsibilities within their communities;

it works alongside school and college-based education to encourage
young people to achieve and fulfil their potential;

it works with other agencies to encourage society to be responsive to
young people’s needs.