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The Youth Work SuperVision
The Youth Work SuperVision
Start date: Sep 1, 2015,
End date: Dec 31, 2015
PROJECT
FINISHED
In 2014, the Youth Profession Act passed through parliament hence Maltese youth workers on completion of their studies in Youth Work and 2 years youth work experience are awarded the Youth Work Warrant. In this relation, youth work students and youth workers need professional supervision. Currently, in Malta, there is no one trained in providing youth work supervision, hence such service is provided by experience counselors trained in supervision or youth workers who have been in the youth work field. This situation is similar in Estonia, whilst in England and Ireland there is a history of youth work supervision. Supervision for Youth Workers aims to create collaborations between the partners to share good supervision practices and techniques which are aimed primarily for youth workers.
The Maltese Association of Youth Workers (MAY) together with another 3 partners from England (YMCA), Ireland (Ballyfermot Youth Service) and Estonia (Estonian Association of Youth Workers) focused on the need for Youth Supervision, different supervision techniques, how this helps better the youth work provision, identify professional development, anticipating, avoiding & dealing with burnout and critical reflective thinking. MAY coordinated and hosted the 5 day training seminar which held at the Agenzija Zghazagh Activity Centre in Marsaxlokk, Malta. Dr Brian Belton facilitated the technical sessions supported by Maltese youth work trainers.
Six qualified youth workers from each partner organisations was involved in the training course. These youth workers had experience in working with young people, doing youth work supervision and/or assisting youth work students in their fieldwork placements.
The 5 day training course activities included theoretical information about supervision, supervision techniques, looking at case studies & personal experiences, use of peer group supervision, visits to youth work services in Malta, personal reflection journal and importance of leading a healthy life style for effective youth work. The activities were carried out through plenaries, group work, role play, keeping a journal, visits to youth work services and physical activities.
Through this training course the participants were equipped with knowledge of what is supervision, how to conduct effective supervision, use of different techniques for supervision and how to promote critical reflective thinking. The foreseen impact is to better youth work provision by the participants; improve the quality of supervision provided to youth workers in the respective countries and have youth work supervision provided to youth workers by the participants. The partner countries looked at creating a Continuous Professional Development for other youth workers as a multiplier effect of the training course.