Youth work in communities and schools - David Wallace

Working across professional and disciplinary boundaries, young people and youth workers collaborate to create powerful learning environments in communities, schools and other settings. The authors explore how youth work, as a critical and problem-posing pedagogy, enables young people to transform their lives. The main themes of the book are historical and contemporary practices and policies on youth work; interdisciplinary and collaborative practices; and education in a socially situated learning environment that is potentially transformational. The result is a critical appraisal of youth work in the context of an increasingly risk averse and surveillant society. Problem posing and critical pedagogy provide a framework for discussion of a range of contemporary educational youth work practices. Chapters combine the findings of empirical research with practice experience, illustrated by casework examples, to provide a critical overview of contemporary youth work in Scotland. National policy suggests an increased role for youth work in schools, in health promotion and in the regeneration of communities, so this volume offers a timely insight into those interdisciplinary practices that contribute to enhancing young people's lives through educational youth work. With their inter-disciplinary approach the authors have provided a resource for those undertaking professional studies in working with young people, community education, community learning and development and in working in communities. The text will also appeal to all professionals engaged in continuing professional development, post-graduate study or collaborative endeavours with youth work colleagues.