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Every young person deserves the support and opportunities to achieve what they want in life. That’s why youth work matters. Youth work is a profession that supports young people aged 12-25 years to engage with their community and develop skills and capabilities to achieve their goals.
More young people than ever before need generalist support to (re)engage with community, school, family and services; and for specialised interventions in areas such as mental health, employment, and housing.
Deloitte's Return on Investment report in Youth Work
Despite its important role, the understanding of the impact of youth work and its benefits has not been widely understood or recognised by the community. This has resulted in various historical and ongoing challenges for the sector regarding public and stakeholder recognition, and lack of ongoing investment (YWC 2021).
YACVic commissioned Deloitte Access Economics to conduct this social and economic return on investment (SROI) study to enhance the evidence base that can inform future policy changes.
The report has found that for every $1 invested into young people via youth work returns $2.62 in benefits to the community through improved economic, social and health outcomes for young people. This includes young people's mental health, housing, employment and education outcomes, community participation and more.
Download the 1-page infographic here
Youth Work in Victoria Report
As a part of the Youth Work Matters Campaign, YACVic has compiled a report on Youth Work in Victoria. Youth work provides an important resource for young people, but the experiences of youth workers and those who employ youth workers are not yet widely recognised or understood.
This report provides an important insight into youth work in Victoria, reflecting the diverse experiences, roles, gaps, and suggestions made by those working and managing in this field. This report uses data gathered from two surveys conducted by YACVic to gain an understanding of the impact and scope of youth work in Victoria.
What is youth work?
The national definition of youth work as stated by the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition is “a practice that places young people and their interests first. Youth work is a relational practice, where the youth worker operates alongside the young person in their context. Youth work is an empowering practice that advocates for and facilitates a young person's independence, participation in society, connectedness and realisation of their rights.”
Youth workers provide strengths-based, holistic care to young people to reach their full potential and thrive as active members of their community. They recognise young people as experts of their own lives, and work in a way that promotes and encourages this.
The Articulation Document builds on the National Definition of Youth Work produced by the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC).
Explore the Youth Work Matters Campaign
Download our campaign resources here
Find out more about our key asks here