For Youth Workers and Youth Work

“This is a powerful, wide ranging and thought provoking book which needs to be read by a wider audience than just those involved in working directly with young people.” Kevin Donnelly

"a refreshing and illuminating read" Children and Young People Now

"Timely, essential" Graham Bright, York St John University

"Nicholls brings a different perspective to the youth work literature" Jean Hatton, University of Hudersfield

"An honest and passionate defence for youth work" Billie Oliver, UWE

"An excellent, honest read" Rachael Fell-Chambers, Bishop Grosseteste University College

"Extremely accessible, this will challenge and appeal to youth workers, students, academics and policy makers alike. Essential and timely reading." Kev Henman, Divisional Youth Officer, Devon Youth Service

"Doug Nicholls' message - the need for a new youth work for a new century - is sometimes polemical, often provocative, invariably partisan and always passionate. But it is principled, and it is essential that we reflect carefully on his words." Howard Williamson, Professor of European Youth Policy, University of Glamorgan

"For Youth Workers and Youth Work is an accessible, essential and timely read for statutory and voluntary sector service managers, youth workers, educationalists, students and policy makers interested in the wellbeing of young people in Britain both now and in the future, and how best to promote youth work. I strongly recommend it." Youth and Policy journal

Doug Nicholls has been a professional and trade union leader of youth workers for over thirty years. He has written extensively on the history of unionisation in the sector and youth work, and produced unique publications on key issues in practice. His advocacy for youth work and youth workers throughout the UK and Ireland have put him in the forefront of debates about theory and practice and much of this experience is distilled into this new publication.

What youth workers do; Youth work and neoliberalism in Britain; Youth workers as workers; Youth workers as trade unionists; Youth workers as professionals; Youth workers as socialists; Youth workers in defence of youth work; Youth work and positive activities and holiday camps; Youth workers as leaders; Youth workers as reflective analytical practitioners; Youth workers and the state; Youth workers and internationalism; Youth work and inequality; Youth in a suspect society; New youth workers, new youth work.