Child and Youth Care Work at the Cross-Roads of the Century: From a Recognized Profession Back to an Amateur Humanitarian Mission?

This chapter deals with a somehow 'forgotten' factor in the discussion about professionalization of the child and youth care field. The child and youth care profession has made a great deal of progress in many countries since the end of the Second World War. However, new problems are appearing, caused by the professionalization process of the child and youth care field. It is argued that instead of debating against or for professionalization of the field, innovative models have to be invented that look at professionalism as a continuum, with minimum and maximum boundaries. These new models have to implement differential levels of professionalism, in the planning of all services for children and youth in need of care, taking economic considerations into account. Professionalization has increased dramatically the costs of services for children and youth in need of special care.