1. Ballymun Dissemination Conference
The Role of the Youth Work in the implementation of the Ballymun Youth Guarantee
James Doorley
23rd March 2015
©National Youth Council of Ireland, 2014

2. Youth Guarantee-National
As one of the 1st organisations in Ireland to call for the introduction of a YG welcome the fact that 4 years later we are discussing the Ballymun Pilot
Acknowledge & thank John McKeon DSP for the invitation to be a partner on project in Autumn 2012
I’m tasked with reflecting views of YS overall but important to point out most of the work done by Christine Lodge & her team her in BRYR-set against backdrop of reduced funding

3. Youth Guarantee-National
NYCI always convinced that youth sector had key role in implementation of YG-esp in reaching most disadvantaged
YW Sector play role of advocate/broker between young ppl & DSP
Made submissions to national plan-is disappointing youthwork referenced merely as a footnote

4. Questions for BRYR/NYCI
Was this appropriate role for YW org?
How would it fit with purposes & values of YW? Vol participation v conditionality?
Implications of involvement for relationship with young people-trust?
Was pilot going to be a game changer or just a name changer?
Context-30% cuts to youth services-already stretched

5. Rationale for participation
Important that youth work sector locally/nationally contribute to youth employment policy
Important to ensure voice of young people was heard & listened to in initiative
Youth workers have track record, capacity & credibility to reach young people
Important to keep focus on quality opportunities and sustainable employment
Opportunity to showcase YW

6. Role of BRYR-YW
Advocate for young people but also broker between young ppl & DSP
Working with range of other local agencies to deliver on project
Supported participation of young ppl & also feed back concerns/views of young ppl to DSP
Particular focus on most disadvantaged
Aspects of DSP YG model in Ballymun changed as result of feedback facilitated by BRYR

7. Positives
Consultation & evaluation from young ppl integral part & respected
Increased opportunities for young ppl
Great opportunity to work with more of target group-some would not have engaged with other services in BRYR
Having opportunity to contribute to design & redesign of initiative
Building partnership & contacts with other local agencies
Opportunity to highlight role of YW

8. Challenges
Conflict between values of YW (voluntary participation) & labour market policy
Focus on live register v holistic view of needs of young ppl
Young ppl not homogenous
Still a struggle to reach most marginalised
Time involved was significant
No additional resources provided

9. Lessons
YW sector needs to be clear about role from start & contribution
YW needs to engage with other sectors & make them aware of what they can bring
YW needs to be aware of conflict between values of YW and labour market policy
YW in advocate/broker space has unique role-bridge between young ppl & PES
YW can’t reach all, shouldn’t overpromise
YW-has to be recognised & funded