Abstract

Last June saw the publication of the report ‘The Purpose and Outcomes of Youth Work’. It was the result of a research project commissioned by the ‘Interagency Group’ of major youth organisations: Catholic Youth Care, City of Dublin Youth Service Board, Forόige, Ógra Chorcai and Youth Work Ireland. The research was financially supported by the Irish Youth Foundation. It set out to explore the nature, purpose and outcomes of youth work in Ireland today, prompted by a concern that at a time of very significant change in the social, economic and policy contexts, it is more important than ever to articulate the distinctive nature of youth work and that its benefits are not just for young people but for adults, communities and for society as a whole.