ABOUT US
WHO WE ARE
Cardiff Youth Service are part of Cardiff Council’s Education department. We work with young people aged 11-25 to develop personal, social and educational development giving them somewhere to go and somewhere to grow. We do this in localities throughout Cardiff. Youth Work seeks to challenge and enable young people to reach their unique full potential.
We work with young people in a variety of settings offering an integrated Youth Work model that is open and accessible to all but also seeks to provide more targeted support to those young people that need it most.
About us
Our youth workers and youth support workers are a nationally qualified, registered workforce. Children’s rights and the UNCRC is embedded in all of the work we do, we seek to ensure that young people are equal partners and Cardiff council are committed to our partnership with UNICEF with Cardiff proud to be a Child-Friendly City .
Our youth workers and youth support workers are a nationally qualified, registered workforce.
Our engagement with young people takes place in youth centres, youth clubs, on the street (where young people are!), in schools, and in communities. We also engage in digital spaces, and you can follow our various social media channels to find out more. We are committed to collaboration and forming partnerships in communities throughout Cardiff. Contact us to find out more.
Our engagement with young people takes place in youth centres, youth clubs, on the street (where young people are!), in schools, online, and in communities.
We also engage in digital spaces, and you can follow our various social media channels to find out more.
We are committed to collaboration and forming partnerships in communities throughout Cardiff.
What is Youth Work?
The aim of Youth Work is to enable young people to develop holistically, working with them to facilitate their personal, social and educational development, to enable them to develop their voice, influence and place in society and to reach their full potential.
This is the definition of youth work outlined within the National Occupational Standards.
However, Youth Work is more than a range of statements or commitments.
The aim of Youth Work is to enable young people to develop holistically, working with them to facilitate their personal, social and educational development, to enable them to develop their voice, influence and place in society and to reach their full potential. This is the definition of youth work outlined within the National Occupational Standards.
However, Youth Work is more than a range of activities and opportunities it goes further than making statements or commitments.
Youth Work is based on the ability to develop and maintain working relationships with young people. The fundamental starting point is the voluntary relationship and ensuring young people are actively participating in the co-production of any work undertaken with them. The Principles and Purposes of Youth Work outline five pillars; educative, empowering, participative, inclusive and expressive, these are further clarified in the following link.
Workforce development
Cardiff Youth Services Workforce Development programme works with the staff team focussing on enhancing the skills, knowledge, and effectiveness of the staff team. Support is centred around the professional development of our workforce, to improve the skills and performance of the team and delivery of our services to young people.
Key aspects of the role include:
Training and Development: Designing, organising, and delivering training sessions, workshops, or resources to equip staff with the latest skills, best practices, and knowledge relevant to Youth Work.
Policy and Compliance: Ensuring staff understand and adhere to organisational policies, safeguarding protocols, and relevant legislation.
Performance Management: Supporting staff team in meeting performance goals through their training passports which are linked to the staff team Personal Development Reviews.
Workforce Development Strategy: A comprehensive strategy designed to build the skills, capacity, performance and resilience of a dedicated workforce, that supports young people in Cardiff. Within Cardiff Youth Service, we excel on the expertise, passion, and commitment of our staff team, to guide, mentor, and empower young people in navigating the challenges of the 21st Century. The strategy aims to ensure that our workforce is fully equipped to meet the ever-changing needs of the young people we serve, while also fostering their own professional growth, development and well-being. The Strategy will also seek to identify skills gaps and implement strategies to enhance the workforce.
Collaboration and Coordination: Working with the senior management team, Youth Development Officers and teams to align workforce development initiatives with the broader goals of the Cardiff Youth Service. Working in partnership with Cardiff Metropolitan University, and Adult Learning Wales, to support and coordinate student placements within the service. If you would like to complete a student placement within Cardiff Youth Service, please contact our Workforce Development Officer. Chloe.Wilmott@cardiff.gov.uk
English 
Welsh