Youth Work

Youth work at a Youth Zone

Youth Zones are run by skilled and dedicated youth workers. People who understand where young people are coming from, and truly believe in where theyre going. Then, day by day, give them the tools to get there.

With every workout or kickabout, every mock interview or muck around with mates, young people develop the resilience to face challenges and the skills to solve problems. They find confidence to aim high and the determination to become who they want to be. They build positive relationships based on being given the space to talk, an understanding of their own self-worth, and a sense of belonging to something bigger.

The dedicated youth workers across the Network are trusted adults for thousands of young people whatever theyre going through; good or bad, big or small.

A Youth Zone’s main focus is delivering universal youth work, meaning it is available to all young people aged eight to 19, or up to 25 with a disability. Universal youth works purpose is not pre-determined or aimed at addressing a specific issue or targeted need.

Youth Zone also deliver:

• Targeted youth work – working with specific groups of young people to combat a specific issues, like employability.
• Detached youth work – meeting a young person where they are outside of the traditional youth work environments.
• Outreach youth work – engaging with young people and supporting them into the Youth Zone.

Our commitment to safeguarding

As a Network of youth charities, OnSide and all Youth Zones are committed and have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk to keep them safe.

OnSide has a Safeguarding Manager who leads on the delivery of the safeguarding strategy for OnSide and on behalf of the Network of Youth Zones. Each Youth Zone has a code of conduct and robust safeguarding policies and procedures. Each Youth Zone has a Designated Safeguarding Lead whose role is to review any safeguarding concerns and take appropriate actions eg referrals to statutory agencies. They also deliver training and act as a safeguarding point of reference for young people, parents and carers, the team, volunteers, members of the board and multi-agency partners.

All employees around the OnSide Network, volunteers and trustees are required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service check, ensuring safe decisions are made when recruiting. All staff, volunteers, trustees, and external agencies, including partners delivering on behalf of OnSide have legal and personal responsibilities to ensure the safeguarding and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and they actively ensure that the highest levels of safeguarding are upheld.