Working with young people
We promote best practice in youth development by giving young people and people working with young people advice and resources.
Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa (YDSA)
This is about how government and society can support young women and men aged 12 to 24 years inclusive to develop the skills and attitudes they need to take part positively in society, now and in the future.
The YDSA consists of a vision, principles, aims and goals and also suggests actions that can be taken to support the positive development of young people.
The principles of “youth development” outline what the youth development approach is all about. They can be used as a checklist and a tool for developing youth policies and programmes and in working alongside young people.
The principles of youth development
The strategy is based on a youth development approach that has six key principles:
1. Youth development is shaped by the ‘big picture’.
2. Youth development is about young people being connected.
3. Youth development is based on a consistent strengths-based approach.
4. Youth development happens through quality relationships.
5. Youth development is triggered when young people fully participate.
6. Youth development needs good information.
Youth development best practice
We promote approaches, strategies and methods of working with young people that have been acknowledged as being examples of current best practice.
We also provide information on best practice youth development and how to implement this within programmes and policies for young people.
Youth Development Policy and Research
Our policy team keeps the Minister of Youth Affairs and government agencies informed about key issues that affect young people.
Youth participation in decision-making
We offer a broad range of youth participation channels that provide different types and levels of involvement to make sure a diverse range of young people’s views are heard. We also provide training and educational resources on youth participation for people working with young people.
UNCROC
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC) is history's most ratified human rights treaty, and one of the United Nations' core human rights instruments.
The Ministry of Social Development coordinates New Zealand's UNCROC activity and its reporting to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.
Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa New Zealand
Ara Taiohi has launched the first government-endorsed Code of Ethics for youth workers with the Ministry of Youth Development.
The Code of Ethics for Youth Work in Aotearoa New Zealand (2nd edition) provides a universal quality standard for youth work in New Zealand. The introduction of the Code of Ethics defines the core values of youth work practices and sets a benchmark for the level of professional service that young people can expect from their youth worker.
The Code of Ethics is aligned to the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa which provides a framework for effective youth development opportunities and programmes.
Guide to Effective Practice in Youth Mentoring New Zealand
The Youth Mentoring Network has developed guidelines to help provide a common set of standards, and protect young people and mentors by sharing good practice.
The guidelines recognise mentoring programmes need to be tailored to the specific needs of the young people involved and that mentoring is often just one component of a wider process of intervention.
We encourage people who mentor young people to use this guide, to help improve the overall quality of youth mentoring in New Zealand.
To receive a free hard copy of this publication, send a self addressed stamped envelope (A4) to Youth Mentoring Network, PO Box 21-605, Henderson, Auckland 0650.
