National Youth Work Development Plan 2003-2007

Irish society today is dramatically different from the one in which youth work services were first provided on a spontaneous and philanthropic basis more than one hundred years ago. At no time has the process of change been more striking than in the last ten to fifteen years. At least four major types of recent change, all clearly interrelated, can be identified: economic, political, technological and cultural. A further important aspect of cultural change in Ireland has been the continuing trend towards urbanisation, and the corresponding impact, largely negative, on rural communities. Particularly significant in the context of a Development Plan for Youth Work is the migration of young people away from rural areas to study or work, with most of them unlikely to return on a permanent basis. This, along with the rapid reduction in farm holdings and other changes in the countryside, has profound sociological and psychological repercussions for rural Ireland and indeed for Irish society as a whole. For young people living in rural areas the challenge is to provide youth work opportunities which are specially tailored to their needs and which take account of the ways in which their circumstances (e.g. regarding transport and access) are different from those of their urban peers

A Prevalence Study of Drug use by Young People in a Mixed Suburban Area

This report aims to determine the levels and patterns of drug use, including tobacco and alcohol, among young people in the Kilbarrack area. Questionnaires were sent to students from all primary and secondary schools in the target area, and were also sent to young people in the area who had already left school. The survey showed that 24% of respondents had smoked tobacco at some stage in their lives, with 25% listed as current smokers. Older students reported higher tobacco use, with over 40% of 16-18 year olds currently smoking. Alcohol was the drug most widely used by respondents, with 76% of all students having taken it at some stage in their lives. Prevalence of current alcohol use was higher in older children, with 84% of 16-18 year olds currently drinking as opposed to 61% of 13-15 year olds and 17% for 10 to 12 year olds. Cannabis was the most widely used illicit drug, with 37% of respondents using the drug at some stage. The next most widely used drug was inhalants, with 16% having used them at some stage, with 6% having used cocaine at some stage in their lives; the same proportion had used it within the last 12 months. There little or no significant evidence of heroin use. The report recommends prevention programmes that ensure that young people have other things in their lives other than alcohol/ drugs, such as a comprehensive range of properly resourced sporting and youth work in the community.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

A manual in quality standards in substance use education.

A Manual in Quality Standards in Substance Use Education is published by The Drug Education Workers Forum (DEWF). The manual looks at different areas of substance use education, such as schools, youth work and community settings, and provides clear information on the best practice for delivering such education.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Youth Homelessness Strategy

This Strategy aims to build on this work and to ensure a more co-ordinated and planned approach to tackling youth homelessness. Particular emphasis is placed on prevention and on the importance of supporting schools, communities, the young people themselves and their families in this context. Where a young person becomes homeless the Strategy stresses the need for a prompt child focused service which will address the individual needs of the young person. Download the Report here

Ballymena Youth Bank

This project will work with 14-25 year olds to increase their understanding of health issues relevant to their age group and increase their skills to encourage other young people to become actively involved in promoting health and raising health awareness through the YouthBank grant-making scheme. 10 sessions will be carried out.

Tackling Food Poverty: Only a more comprehensive approach will work

Lessons from the Decent Food for All(DFfA) Intervention

Quality Standards for Approved Social Work March 2005 (PDF 1.10MB)

Standards and criteria drawn from the recommendations of A Study of Approved Social Work.

Degree in Social Work Incentive Scheme 2006 (PDF 45 KB)

Student Bursaries Incentive Scheme

Reform of Professional Social Work Training (PDF 124 KB)

Issues Paper: Practice Learning

Report: Access to the New Social Work Degree for Relevant Graduate in Northern Ireland (PDF 36 KB)

Report: Access to the New Social Work Degree for Relevant Graduate in Northern Ireland

Review of the Diploma in Social Work (JM Consulting Report) (PDF 97 KB)

Review of the Diploma in Social Work (JM Consulting Report)