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REPORT OF THE “STUDY
VISIT ON YOUTH WORK RECOGNITION IN LITHUANIA”
The study visit was implemented under the KA2 project: “Youth Work Recognition with Self-Assessment and Accreditation”. The project is being implemented by partners: Institute for Policy Research and Analysis (Lithuania), OPPORTUNITY (UK), Centre for Intercultural Dialogue (CID, Macedonia). The study visits gathered15 participants from UK, Macedonia and Lithuania.
Rationale: In 2016 Lithuania is celebrating 20 years of Youth Policy and 10 years of institu-
tional support for youth work. During the study visit participants have got acquainted with Youth Policy implementation through youth work in Lithuanian.
The program of the study visit was focusing on analysing and understanding: legal basis for youth work, experience tools used in youth worker certification system. Time was devoted to meet the representatives of Department of Youth affairs under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour to discuss youth work development direction in Lithuania. Moreover, participants visited local youth centres and met youth work practicionairs. Newest forms of youth work being established in Lithuania were presented: detached youth work, mobile youth work. Participants got acquainted with latest research on youth work implementation in Lithuania. The Study Visit aimed to provide an overview of Lithuanian youth work practices and present Lithuanian youth worker certification system.
The objectives of study visit: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
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To explore the concept of youth work in Lithuania. To get acquainted with youth work competences development system in Lithuania To share good practices of Lithuanian youth work methodologies To create recommendation how youth work could be supported as a system. Create action plans how to support youth work development at local level in each project country.
Target group: The target group of the project are youth leaders and workers working directly with young people (especially with fewer opportunity youth), representatives of partner organizations, youth policy and youth work stakeholders. 5 participants from each project country were hosted. Methodology: The methodology of the study visit was be based on: theoretical inputs on research and youth work implementation. Participants got space to try out youth work recognition tools used and developed in Lithuania. Time was be devoted to visit and meet: youth work practicionairs, institutions responsible for youth work development. During the study visit 8 youth centres were visited by the participants all over Lithuania.
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REPORT OF THE “STUDY
VISIT ON YOUTH WORK RECOGNITION IN LITHUANIA�
Final program of the Study visit: Time 9:00
10:00
11:30 12:00
Day 1, Sept. 12
16:30
17:00
18:30
Day 3, Sept. 14
Day 4, Sept. 15
Day 5, Sept. 16
Breakfast Arrival of Participants Accommodation and logistical issues
13:30
15:00
Day 2, Sept. 13
Youth work history in Lithuania Youth work principles in Lithuania
Knowing each other
Analysis of youth work implementation in Lithuania (2015)
Introduction to the event. Introduction to Online Learning badges
Coffee break
Visits to Youth centres I
Coffee break Reflecting on Visits to Youth what is quality centres II in youth work in Lithuania Lunch Visits to youth centre III
Trying youth work certification system tools
Presentation of youth worker certification system in Lithuania
Youth information centre in Vilnius. Meeting youth work community
Input on youth work development in Lithuania in up-coming years
Sauna evening
Evening in Vilnius
Farewell party
Reflection groups using Online Learning badges
19:00
Dinner
21:00
Welcome evening
Reflection of visits to youth centres
Developing recommendations how youth work could be developed in project countries Dissemination. Evaluation. Closure
Departure of Participants
Facebook event of the study visit:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1748517012031925/
Topics and presentations made during the study visit: Presenting analysis on youth work implementation in Lithuania
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Presentation of youth worker certification system in Lithuania Youth Worker’s Certification System in Lithuania Brief explanation of the proposal
By the Association of Non-Formal Education in Lithuania March 2012
1. Aims and rationale of youth worker’s certification system Youth worker’s certification system is one of the first steps to officially recognise youth work as public service and youth worker as qualified specialist who implements public youth policy in Lithuania. This is a national model to offer ways and procedures to obtain, develop and recognise necessary qualification to carry on professional work with young people.
Youth work is one of the forms to implement youth policy and is recognised by European Commission and Council of Europe. Until recent, in Lithuania youth work is mainly associated with youth organisations and youth non-formal education, which is briefly mentioned in the national law on youth policy. However, there were no systematic measures to support and develop further youth work on national and local levels before. According to the National Youth Policy Strategy for 2011 – 2019, youth work and youth workers are important pillars of youth policy implementation and clear measures are foreseen to strengthen youth work in Lithuania. The main aim of youth worker’s certification system is to set grounds for the recognition of youth work and youth workers in Lithuania. It seeks to define youth work content, role and functions of youth worker, necessary qualification, ways and procedures to obtain, develop and recognise youth worker’s qualification, main actors involved in this process.
2. Developments and current state of art
Association of Non-formal Education in Lithuania developed this certification system of youth work professionals as a result of tender of the Department of Youth Affaires under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania. The tender was implemented with the support of the European Structural Funds. “Bespoke projects” organised consultations with external consultants Andrea Mewaldt (Germany) and prof. Howard Williamson (United Kingdom). As part of the package, Association of Non-formal Education in Lithuania proposed the system to accredit the youth worker’s training programmes in the country. The youth worker’s training programme was tested with 100 participants in Telsiai region. Recommendations for further improvements and changes were suggested as the result of the test phase. Currently, the youth worker’s certification system is awaiting for the official approval by the decision of the Minister of Social Security and Labour (Youth Minister).
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REPORT OF THE “STUDY
VISIT ON YOUTH WORK RECOGNITION IN LITHUANIA”
3. Understanding youth work and youth worker In this context, youth work is defined as educative work, which is implemented with individual young person or youth groups primarily based on their needs. The main goal of youth work is to create conditions for young people to engage and integrate by empowering them to create consciously and responsibly their personal life and consciously and actively participate in civic and professional life.
Youth worker is a qualified adult person who is working with young people during their free time aiming at young people’s personal and social development both through working with a young person individually and/or working with youth groups or communities. For this work person must have required professional competences, which are recognised through the state’s defined procedures. For the qualified worked with young people youth worker receives payment following the order defined in the laws of the Republic of Lithuania.
4. The competences required for professional and quality youth work service
Youth worker’s certification system defines competences necessary to carry on professional and quality youth work services. Youth worker’s competences were defined by taking into consideration practice of other countries and referring to European Portfolio of Youth Leaders and Youth Workers developed by Council of Europe and Reference Framework of Key-competence for Lifelong Learning developed by European Commission. Suggested competence model is adapted to the local Lithuanian context and follows existing youth work traditions, forms and opportunities in the country.
Youth worker’s main activity is working with people. Such work requires interdisciplinary understanding and competency to carry on professional work of socio-educative nature. Therefore youth worker must be able to adequately respond and act in a specific situation. This means that competency of youth worker depends of a personal qualities and specific situation in which she or he is acting. Specifically, youth workers must be able to demonstrate that they a competence in the following areas: Personal competences. Generic competences: reflexivity/self-reflection, learning to learn, autonomy, organisation/management competence, reliability. Additional competences: creativity, flexibility, critical thinking, ability to deal with criticism, commitment, ability to pursue the goals, ability to accept challenges, emotional intelligence. Social competences. Generic competences: communication, competence to be and work in the group/team, empathy, conflict transformation, ability to work with diversity within the group
Subject competences. Generic competences: non-formal education, understanding of adolescence and the world of young person, knowledge and understanding of the structural context. Additional competences: legal knowledge, understanding of youth work forms and opportunities, understanding of youth worker’s role.
Methodological competences. Generic competences: Understanding of and ability to apply methods, ability to youth issues. Additional competences: understanding of and ability to apply various methodological approaches, digital competence, rhetoric/public speech. Special competences. Generic competences: Understanding of specific youth issues. Additional competences: musical, artistic, sports and other skills, public relations, other competences.
During the certification process a person should demonstrate more than 60% score in each are of the generic competences in order to gain state’s recognition of youth worker’s qualification.
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5. The recognition of youth worker’s qualification National certification institution, which is part of the youth work sector and is accredited by the state, is responsible to assess youth worker’s competences, to ensure the qualification and to carry certification of youth workers in Lithuania. This institution should be responsible as well for the further development of youth work in the country. Candidate who is willing to obtain youth worker’s certificate must take part in the certification process consisting of several steps:
Step 1: Candidate submits the on-line application form, which includes information necessary to asses formal criteria for certification. National certification institution assesses if the candidate qualifies for the formal criteria to participate in the youth worker’s certification system. Step 2: Assessment of competences includes several possible options:
●● If preliminary assessment of candidate’s competences shows that a person has necessary competences for youth work, then she or he obtains youth worker’s certificate; ●● If preliminary assessment indicates that a person needs to improve in one or several areas of competences, then this person is recommended either to participate in the accredited training modules or carry on competence development individually. After that person follows the final assessment of competences.
Step 3: Competence development programmes. If the candidate does not qualify for the minimum level of necessary competences for youth work, then she or he is recommended to attend the accredited youth workers training programme. Training programme consist of specific training modules, tutorials and youth work practice which enables person to develop generic competences necessary for the work with young people. Step 4: Final assessment of competences and certification.
Step 5: Further professional development. The youth workers certificate is issued for the limited period – 5 years. Person who is willing to extend the duration of her or his certificate must provide further evidence of professional development and practical work with young people.
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REPORT OF THE “STUDY
VISIT ON YOUTH WORK RECOGNITION IN LITHUANIA”
6. The training programmes to obtain generic youth work competences Youth worker’s certification system foresees and includes a possibility for the candidates to participate in the training programmes with an aim to develop necessary generic competences for youth work. As a result of the preliminary assessment, candidates are recommended to participate in some or all of the training modules depending on the level of generic competences they are able to demonstrate. Accredited educational organisations and institutions, both from the formal and non-formal education sectors, implement youth workers’ training programmes. National certification institution is responsible for the accreditation of organisations and institutions to carry on training programmes for youth workers.
Training programmes must address all levels of competence and include development of required knowledge, skills and attitudes of youth worker. Training programmes include the training modules, practical work with young people, tutorials and assessment process. Training modules cover specific areas of generic competences and address the following content:
Module 1: Self-perception in the youth work context. Self-reflection and developing awareness on values and principles in youth work, understanding of various ways of learning, developing learning to learn competence, developing ability to be, work and learning in groups/teams, understanding youth work context and the role of youth worker. Module 2: Understanding of adolescence and youth world. Knowledge of sociological and psychological theories, problems experienced by young people during the adolescence, youth cultures, peer groups and peer-education, sex and gender, exploring youth issues and reflection from the youth worker’s perspective.
Module 3: Individual work with young person. Theories that inform individual work with a person, methods of individual work, communication skills and interpersonal mechanisms, basic coaching skills, professional boundaries and role of the youth worker when working individually with young person, Module 4: Working with groups and delinquent behaviour. Theories of group dynamics, understanding of group development stages, leadership and facilitation, conflict transformation, ability to deal with delinquent behaviour. This module should be implemented as residential training course.
Module 5: Methodologies of youth work. Understanding of different methodologies in youth work, development of specific youth work programmes, evaluation and assessment, youth workers professional development and career. If a person followed 3 and more training modules she or he attends additional day to reflect learning experience and assess learning outcomes.
All the training modules are implemented encompassing group learning processes and main values and principles of non-formal education. There should be from 14 to 20 participants in the learning group. At least 2 qualified trainers deliver the training programme. Each training module follows general objectives set but may be adapted to the specific learning needs of the group of learners.
The intensity of the training programmes allow participants to combine their learning process and work commitments. All 5 training modules should be organised within the period of 9 to 12 months. Training modules last from 4 to 5 working days. Participants of the training programme should be involved in delivering practical youth work for minimum of 280 hours. Each of the training modules is complimented with the tutorial meeting. The purpose of the tutorial meeting is to support participants learning process through facilitated reflection on professional development and analysis of practical cases from their youth work. Trainer or other experienced from
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the youth work sector facilitates tutorial meetings. Tutorial meetings happen in small groups and last for about 4-5 hours. If needed, tutorial meeting can be organised with individual participant.
Candidate may decide to self-organise own professional development by attending other training activities or by learning individually. This is possible but it is recommended to agree on professional development with the nominated representative of the national certification institution. Training courses, which are implemented within the European Youth in Action programme and implements the Youthpass are recognised by the Lithuanian youth worker’s certification system.
7. The assessment process and issuing of the certificate.
The assessment process takes place in several stages and by using various complimentary methods.
Application stage. Candidates submit on-line application form to obtain the youth workers certificate. Such criteria as candidate’s formal and non-formal education biography, youth work practice and motivations are assessed during this stage.
Preliminary assessment. Each candidate receives competence evaluation tool which support self-assessment of generic and additional competences requested to qualify for the professional and quality youth work service. Then a person is attending the assessment meeting together with the assessor nominated by the national certification institution. Assessment process may include other methods (e.g. written essay, analysis of case studies, practical tasks, observation) to assess the level of competences demonstrated by the candidate. Self-assessment and feedback during the training programme. Candidates who participate in the training programme are supported in their self-assessment process. Training modules include time and variety of methods to support self-reflection and sharing in peer groups on learning experience and professional development. Tutorial meetings offer support for participants to better realise their learning for professional development and youth work practice. Feedback sessions are organised with the help of peer participants, trainers and facilitator of tutorial meetings. The results of the assessment during the accredited programmes are recognised automatically for the final assessment of the certification process. Third-party assessment. If necessary, participants may be asked to provide evidence of their competences testified by their employers, co-workers or clients.
Final assessment. Final assessment is carried on with those candidates who we recommended to follow the youth workers’ training programmer or choose to develop their professional competences individually. A person attends the assessment meeting together with the assessor nominated by the national certification institution. Assessment process may include other methods (e.g. written essay, analysis of case studies, practical tasks, observation) to assess the level of competences demonstrated by the candidate.
Both, the candidate and the assessor should agree and sign the final protocol of the assessment. Then, the protocol is submitted to the national certification institution for the final decision. Final decision is taken by the commission of the equal numbers of representatives of the state officers responsible for youth policy matters, employers in the youth work sector and representatives youth worker’s union. The candidate has the right for a plague procedure in case of the negative decision regarding the youth worker’s certificate.
Presentation for Youth workers certification system in Lithuania
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Introduction to open youth work: Article: http://poywe.org/site/?p=841&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook Online journal on Open youth work (POYWE network) Spot on – Lithuania Author: Justina Garbauskaitė Jakimovska Email: justina.garbauskaite@gmail.com
Online article on youth work development in Lithuania 3 sentences In the past 10 years, main efforts for development of the youth field were directed towards open youth work, which resulted in open youth work being the best recognizable and most developed form of youth work in Lithuania. In spite of that open youth centres and open youth spaces are still experiencing a huge need for improvements. While the youth workers are still struggling to make their way into legislation and be recognized for their work.
Developments in the past 10 years
In 2008 open youth work was described as „form of youth works that is the least known and least practiced in Lithuania“ (Kučikas, Malinauskas, 2008). The situation had a lot to do with the fact that an independent youth policy is “the youngest” branch of policy in Lithuania and started to be developed only after regaining of Independence in 1990. While in the USSR youth work in the form that is practiced now was not existent, it took time for the organizations and institutions to get a grip on the European practices and to start similar activities in Lithuania. The first “organisations had strong ideas, but relatively poor pedagogical concepts, a lack of youth leaders, and youth workers almost did not exist.” (Deltuva, 2014) Even though youth work was organized by (mainly) youth organizations, a targeted support for open youth work started in 2006.
Before 2006 main focus in youth policy was on the active young people who are usually members of youth NGOs. While in 2006 the discussion about involving less active and non-organized youth started. It was acknowledged that youth organizations are usually focusing on the development of leaders while other groups of young people are out of the scope. As a result of few studies that showed lack of participation of young people, programmes supporting development of open youth work started. This attention was followed by legislature and manuals on open youth work:
●● In 2007 law was passed that mentioned open youth centres for the first time indicating the importance of open youth centres in “prividing social, pedagogical and psychological servises and implementing means for minimal care of children and youth aged 14-18.” This was the first step towards recognition of open youth work.
●● In 2008 a manual “Open youth centres for the needs of young people” was prepared by Artūras Malinauskas ir Arūnas Kučikas. The manual was based on the Western European (mainly Germany and Austria) experiences.
●● In 2010 Conception of open youth centres and open youth spaces was introduced. The document describes the terminology, requirements for open youth centres and open youth spaces, main principles of open youth work, aims, objectives, etc. ●● In 2012 recognition of open youth work continues while a Description of open youth centres activities is passed. Even though the document wasn’t made compulsory, it was
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used broadly as a set of recommendations by the youth workers in open youth centres.
●● In 2013 the Description of youth workers’ activities was passed. The document indicates what a youth worker is, where does one work, what competencies does one have. ●● In 2012-2014 the youth workers certification programme was implemented. As a result, there are 182 certified youth workers with the competencies that are crucial in order to work with young people. ●● In 2014 Youth workers association in Lithuania was established.
Now
Department of Youth Affairs under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour is currently in charge of youth work. The Division of Youth at the same ministry also has to do with youth work as well. The line between the responsibilities is blurry. Nevertheless the main and real decisions are made on the municipal level as local municipalities are coordinating the implementation of open youth work. Each municipality has a youth affairs coordinator who is a public servant. This specialist in responsible for development, coordination and implementation of youth policy at the local level. Though the responsibilities and full description of this job exists, in the smaller municipalities the coordinator of youth affairs sometimes gets to do the job of a youth worker too.
Open youth work is funded partly by the municipality, partly by the Department of Youth Affairs under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (open youth centres need to apply for funding every year). As the funding is not always sufficient, youth workers are also preparing project applications for different funds (Erasmus+, EEA Norway Grants, Lithuanian-Polish youth exchange foundation, etc.). Even though open youth work is the most developed form of youth work in Lithuania, youth worker is not a recognized profession (the Description of youth workers’ activities isn’t sufficient). The understanding that youth work is done by youth organizations and volunteers is still standing. Debates among institutions, organizations and youth workers are on-going, but yet it did not lead to common agreement. Youth worker is not a part of national professional qualifications system and lately the difference between a youth worker and a social worker is questioned.
How it will be in 10 years
Let‘s face it, open youth work in Lithuania is a rather new phenomenon which is developing quite fast, yet quite unpredictably. According to the recent developments and the political discourse, the main question remains the education and professionalization of youth workers. Currently the certification system is stopped and the future of it is blurry. So is the future of a university degree in youth work. Some universities now have extra subjects on youth work (overviewing open youth work, work with groups, etc.) in the programmes of social work, but the popularity of these programmes is decreasing. Also since there is no legal recognition of youth worker as a profession, no university will agree launching a programme that aims to prepare something that does not exist. Also bearing in mind that the universities see the study programmes as more theoretical and not practical while youth work is a really hands on job, aiming for the youth workers to be prepared in the universities is also questionable. Regarding this issue, a common agreement needs to be made on what the vision is (restart the certification programme that is based on non-formal education, start a university degree or combine the two). In the next 10 years open youth work should remain valued as an important means to involve young people who do not get involved in alternative activities and by that contribute to solving the future issues of societies. Today has shown that open youth work is a powerful tool in working with NEET youth; we can foresee that in the future it should also play major role in integration work with refugee youth.
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It can only be presumed that open youth work will change together with the changing society, remain flexible and responsive to the needs of young people.
Visiting youth centers: Telšiai municipality open youth centre, which is providing mobile youth work services https://www.facebook.com/groups/128846030464260/ Šiauliai distric open youth centre: https://www.facebook.com/groups/140244982774076/ Druskininkai youth leisure centre: https://www.facebook.com/DruskininkuJUC/?fref=ts Youth leisure centre in Ukmergė: https://www.facebook.com/DruskininkuJUC/?fref=ts Open youth centre “MES” (WE): https://www.facebook.com/AJCmes/?fref=ts Open youth space in Naujoji Vilnia: https://www.facebook.com/Naujosios-Vilnios-Atvira-jaunimo-erdv%C4%97385217038220976/?fref=ts Lentvaris open youth centre: https://www.facebook.com/Lentvario-jaunimo-centras-138414172064/?fref=ts Social project “Sofke” in Vilnius doing detached youth work: https://www.facebook.com/sofke1/?fref=ts
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Meeting representatives of Department of youth affairs, under the Ministry of Social Security and Labor. Valda Karnickaitė Head of Youth policy development and program implementation Division Phone: +370 5 246 0886, e-mail: valda.Karnickaite@jrd.lt www.jrd.lt https://www .facebook.com/jaunimas/?fref=ts
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Working with Lithuanian youth worker competencies selfassesment tool
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Trying Online Learning badges: www.badgecraft.eu
LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY YOUTH PARTICIPATION AGENTS
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