ABSTRACT
This introduction presents on overview of the key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on the undergraduate students embarking on professional practice placements during their youth work training course, though it also is very useful for students on allied courses, postgraduate students and practitioners. Youth workers are primarily educators who engage with young people in diverse settings, using different methods and activities to stimulate informal education and learning. A key ethical standard that underpins youth work is the 'promotion of social justice for young people and in society generally'. The book examines the youth work and informal education not only takes place in environments, but can make a distinct and positive contribution to the personal and social development of young people. It examines that youth work is a welfare practice that, alongside its primary education role, promotes 'the welfare and safety of young people'.
