Introduction

Youth workers in the Children's Services Department develop, support and promote hight quality youth work in partnership with colleagues, groups and organisations. Youth workers engage young people in informal learning opportunities and educational group work, enabling them to: be healthy; stay safe; enjoy and achieve; make a positive contribution; achieve economic well-being.

The priority age range for youth work funded by Hampshire County Council is 13 to 19 years inclusive. Some support is given to specific projects aimed at young people aged 10 to13 years and to projects working with 20 to 25 year olds with specific needs.

Youth work managed, supported and developed by Hampshire County Council is delivered through a complex network of providers, community groups, voluntary organisations and local authorities, and is underpinned by the following values:

For young people, youth work:	As an organisation Hampshire County Council is committed to:
Is responsive and based on their choice.	improving outcomes for young people
Begins at their starting point.	innovation and change
Is based on the principles of equity and fairness.	high quality opportunities designed with and for young people
Encourages learning.	providing a range of opportunities designed with and for young people
Is exciting challenging and fun.	listening to and promoting the voice and active involvement of young people
Encourages them to make the most of their lives.	being a learning organisation and committed to staff development
	developing an efficient and effective hight quality organisation based on the principles of equity and fairness
	integrating youth work with other providers, organisations and agencies
	efficient and effective targeting of resources.