Youth empowerment is the key concept that underpins all our youth work. The basis of this is to challenge attitudes, provide support and information, and create opportunities for young people to gain new skills and confidence, enabling them to actively participate in decisions which affect their lives.

Youth work, therefore, needs to provide programmes and activities, primarily for 11 to 19 year olds, that:

• Connect with young people's interests, as they engage voluntarily with the Service.

• Are needs-led and engage with current social issues such as health or crime.

• Support young people through the transitions of adolescence into adulthood.

• Challenge young people, help them to achieve and raise their aspirations.

• Cover a wide range of methods and opportunities, including youth clubs/groups, detached work, empowerment projects, one-to-one support, issue-based projects, art, drama, sport, information, outdoor pursuits, residential experiences, volunteering and accredited learning.