Warwickshire Children and Young People's Workforce

Youth work licence suffers blow
By Janaki Mahadevan
Children & Young People Now
28 May 2009

Plans to boost the status of youth workers by introducing a licence to practise have suffered a major setback after the agency charged with spearheading reform of the youth workforce claimed the sector is not ready for it.

Keith Brumfitt, director of strategy at the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC), told CYP Now that, as the bulk of youth work is conducted by the voluntary sector, a licence would not be a practical solution. He said: "It is premature to say we need licences. It's a complicated sector; there are more than 50 occupations across the workforce and around 70 per cent is done by the third sector. I don't think the time is right for this."

CWDC is currently consulting on a Skills Development Framework for the youth workforce, addressing what skills workers need to successfully engage young people, the establishment of a clear career pathway and how to raise the profession's status.

But Brumfitt's comments have highlighted divisions within the youth sector.

Fiona Blacke, chief executive of The National Youth Agency, said a licence to practise should be at the centre of discussions about workforce reform.

She said: "There is still a body of opinion that feels a licence will strengthen the profession. We shouldn't shut down the debate by saying it is not the right time."

Doug Nicholls, head of the Community and Youth Workers' Union, remains confident that a licence will be introduced, citing "overwhelming" support among workers. He said youth work remains the one part of the children's sector to escape regulation.

But National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS) chief executive Susanne Rauprich welcomed Brumfitt's comments. She said: "We have long campaigned against a blanket approach to licensing of the youth workforce, which could sound the death knell for community-based youth workers and volunteers."

As an alternative, NCVYS has proposed a voluntary accreditation scheme, which is being explored by the Youth Workforce Reform Board, the body tasked with co-ordinating sector reforms.