What are the experiences of those engaged in professional youth work in a formal education college in the UK?

Further Education in the UK aims to provide strong educational outcomes for young people. However, some young people are facing a range of complex issues that often require extra support or different interventions. A college developed a programme that combined professional youth work, support services, and formal teaching to see if this approach would improve outcomes. This research took a mixed-method approach to explore if the professional youth work approach has any impact on outcomes for young people. The research showed that professional youth work was considered a unique approach that allowed for more safeguarding concerns to be disclosed, and greater support for additional needs, resulting in improved attendance at college, and better outcomes in Math and English GCSE results. The qualitative data identified five themes that highlighted the effectiveness of this approach: soft skill development, improved familial relationships, unique youth work approaches, effective professional adult relationships, and cohesive professional working. The research concludes that youth work has a positive influence on young people’s formal education experience but must be recognized and supported to be effective.