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Equipping volunteer youth workers for the future with flexible development framework

17 July 2006

 

The Church of England has published a framework for the training and development of those who work with young people on its behalf.

It is estimated that more than 90,000 volunteers work with young people in Church-linked organisations every week, and this latest move is designed to support these volunteers as they in turn support young people on their faith journeys.

Equipping brings together a series of core competencies, learning outcomes and suggested evidence of assessment for those involved in youth work, and will place the Church of England in the vanguard of those organisations proactively developing training and development structures ahead of possible further legislation in this area.

The framework will prove an invaluable resource for those in a range of roles – from parish youth activity leaders and cell group co-ordinators to street pastors – by offering a cohesive and flexible framework of seven modules arranged over two tiers, to be known as the Bishop’s Certificate and the Archbishop’s Certificate, equivalent to NVQ levels 1 and 2.

The learning outcomes identified in the document include communications skills, team dynamics, exploring how young people learn, managing safety and child protection issues, and honing reflective practice.

Yvonne Criddle, National Youth Adviser, says she hopes the framework will be widely adopted: “The guidance has been carefully designed to fit the widest possible range of youth worker’s contexts – from small to large groups, from rural to urban, from traditional ways of being church to emerging ones. The framework emphasises the need for leaders to reflect on their own faith and beliefs and to be open to challenges presented by their experiences.”

The document has been commended by the National Youth Agency: “It shows clear and progressive routes to qualification and is well presented in everyday language,” said Diane Evans, the agency’s Development Officer for Workforce and Education Training Standards.

Diocesan Youth Officers will be developing training opportunities for local volunteers based on the Equipping framework, which will shortly be made available as a download from the Church of England website.