Session 57: Co-Producing the Youth Worker Compass to support professional identity development and positive wellbeing in degree apprenticeship learners

Abstract

Session overview:

This presentation reflects on the co-production of The Youth Worker Compass, a handbook designed to help students on the Youth Work Degree Apprenticeship track, reflect, document, and develop their professional identity as youth workers during their on-the-job and off-the-job learning. Co-produced by a student intern funded via the Teaching and Learning Academy’s Curriculum Enhancement Internship, and the programme team, the handbook draws on the intern’s personal experience of a similar programme with a substantive placement element. The intern’s understanding of self-awareness, emotional reflection, stressors, and coping strategies helped shape this resource to support youth work apprentices throughout their three-year programme.

The Youth Worker Compass serves as a metaphor for exploring and developing professional identity. Like a compass, it offers direction, helping Youth Work DA students navigate complexities while staying anchored in their personal and professional values aligned with the National Youth Agency's ethical standards. It is a dynamic tool, adjusting to changing conditions as a youth worker’s professional identity develops, ensuring effective and ethical practice. The handbook includes sections for self-assessment, goal-setting, reflective practice, and professional development. Its primary focus is reflexivity, encouraging self-awareness and supporting students as they navigate the complexities of their evolving roles as youth workers. The Youth Worker Compass provides a structured tool to guide professional development, allowing students to assess their progress within the broader context of their practice.

Key learning points from this session:

We advocate that the ‘Compass’ is a valuable resource that could be adapted and implemented across other programmes university-wide. Through promoting ongoing reflexivity, it enables students to better understand where they are in relation to their professional environment and ensures they are well-equipped to succeed in their careers.

Co-Producing the Youth Worker Compass to support professional identity development and positive wellbeing in degree apprenticeship learners PowerPoint. Only LJMU staff and students have access to this resource.