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
This book provides a comprehensive account of the ethical issues and challenges facing youth work practitioners. It will be a valuable resource for students and teachers alike.
Lays out in student-friendly structure & terminology the values & ethics base for Youth Work. Filled with real-life examples of situations in which Youth Workers are called upon to make value/ethical decisions in practice.
This book is used as essential reading on the BA (hons) degree in Youth and Community Work. It addresses practice and places it within a theoretical discussion to illumintate issues of power, dependency etc in accessible language.
This makes a useful contribution although I'm not entirely convinced that there is room for another text on ethics in youth work; Banks and Learning Matters are already there. Students clearly have options here and that is positive. This is a clearly written and accessible text for practitioners at UG and PG levels.
Well timed book which is accessable for students of all levels
this book is very welcome as it covers a range of important issues in some depth but in a way that is accessible for first year and other students.
I have recomended a few sections as essential reading to our students. These include:the chapters on Confidentiality and Boundaries. These 2 chapters provide key information for 1st year students before they embark on placements so that they can think about some of the important issues that might be problematic for them.
Other sections that are particularly useful include: chapter6 on ethical theories, chapter 13 on risk management, ch 15 on power and chapter 21 on self care. Lots of interesting ideas for reflection
I particualry like chapters 11-16 as they are focussed and breif so that first year youth work students will be able to pick out the parts that are relevant and use them for thier own learning and study.
The early chapters are useful but go into different ethical traditions in too much depth for my first year students
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.
A really excellent resource for community youth work students and practitioners. This book has a direct, no nonsense style which when coupled with the easily recognisable practice examples makes it very easy to read. Compact chapters and sections mean you can easily discover the issue you would like to explore. It will be included in several of our modules and in particular our practice/ placement elements of the course.
