Priorities for youth

The Department of Education has begun a process to develop Priorities for Youth which build on the current Strategy for the Delivery of Youth Work in NI 2005-2008. The new Priorities will be set within the existing strategic framework rather than emerging from a review of the overall Strategy. This reflects the fact that a great deal of time and effort was spent developing the Strategy which contains important principles and themes from a solid foundation for a new set of Priorities.

To achieve this, DENI intends to work with all stakeholders to identify the main issues currently facing youth work and determine the priorities on which to focus, prior to and beyond the establishment of the new Education and Skills Authority.

The Department of Education is taking the lead on the review and to initiate this, questionnaires are available for all stakeholders to complete. There are three questionnaires to choose from:

• Children and young people (WORD 3.5 MB)
• Children and young people (PDF 7.5 MB)
• Youth workers, leaders and volunteers (WORD 3.5 MB)
• Youth workers, leaders and volunteers (PDF 8 MB)
• Managers in youth or relevant children’s services (WORD 3.5 MB)
• Managers in youth or relevant children's services (PDF 10 MB)

The findings from these questionnaires will be discussed in a series of focus groups and this will be followed by a formal consultation process. We intend to engage with all those who have an involvement or interest in youth work, as this will ensure that the key issues are identified and prioritised in the future. All stakeholders will therefore have an opportunity to be involved in the process at every phase.

This questionnaire should be returned on or before 30 September 2008.

For more information on the Priorities for Youth contact call 028 9127 9518 or email Youth.Services@deni.gov.uk