Youth Work Ethics
- Howard Sercombe - Professor of Community Education, University of Strathclyde
What does it mean to practice youth work ethically? How does ethical theory relate to the youth work profession? What are the moral dilemmas confronting youth workers today, and how should practitioners respond?
Youth Work Ethics examines these questions and more and should be on the reading lists of all youth work trainees and practitioners. A wide range of topics are covered, including: confidentiality; sexual propriety; dependence and empowerment; equity of provision; interprofessional working; managing dual relationships; working across cultures; working within an agency.
Referencing professional codes of ethics in youth work, and the theories underpinning them, Howard Sercombe offers readers a framework for how to think about their practice ethically. Each chapter includes:
- Narrative case studies to provide an insight into real life dilemmas
- Reflective questions and exercises to encourage critical thinking
- Chapter summaries and further reading
Youth Work Ethics is the ideal text for undergraduates and postgraduates studying on youth work, youth studies or youth & community work degrees, as well as youth work practitioners.
'[In this book] Howard Sercombe offers another useful and considered dimension for revisiting a wide and relevant spectrum of debates and issues in this valuable area...Offers a carefully considered opportunity to re-conceptualise understandings of the core ethics of youth work' -
Youth and Policy
"This comprehensive and thought provoking book should be read by anyone involved in youth work and should be compulsory reading on youth and community work courses." - Andy Furlong, Professor of Social Inclusion and Education, University of Glasgow
"This book combines readability with depth. It is simple to navigate and practice examples create a flash of recognition for anyone engaged in youth work. It is a book that ought to be on every youth worker, youth work manager, academic and policy maker's bookshelf." - Yvonne McNamara, Liverpool John Moores University
A fabulously comprehensive read, considering the main issues in youth work ethics and bringing to life the realities in practice.
Enthralling discussion about youth work ethics, incorporating professionalism. Great read for students to enhance their critical reflection on youth work ethics and the professionalisation of youth work practice.
An important contribution to the discussions of power / relationships and the practice of youth and community work.
The text promotes critical thinking around the notion of the professional. The placement of the reader to enable undergraduate thinking in youth and community work is valuable in relation to a developed understanding of self and others.
The value of exploring ethics and thinking approaches to the application to practice sets the stage for youth work students to consider ethical choices and decisions and works towards individual and organisations change with regards to ethically considered socially just responses, provision and interventions.
A relevant book for the student and practitioner alike in exploring the challenging dilemmas of ethics in youth work. The book presents key questions facing youth work today in the current socio-political environment. Covering a range of themes, topics and aspects it offers the reader the option to both 'dip-in' and read throughout .
Useful book covers new areas
I would recommend this text to my students. This is a really good and comprehensive resource about youth work ethics.
Excellent book, up to date and relevant to current practice. Shoould be very beneficial for students.
The book provides an excellent overview of many areas of youth work ethics such as confidentiality, boundaries and managing risk. The book is invaluable when we look at safeguarding and health and safety.
Sage College Publishing
