Youth workers play an important role in society, providing support to young people who are experiencing difficulties in life.Their job sounds easy, which basically involves making sure that such difficulties are addressed and that the youth are prepared for independent life. But what really goes on in the life of a youth worker? How do they start and end their day? What happens within 24 hours of their job?
Read on and find out what happens in a day of the life of a youth worker. Let’s meet Tracey, A Team Leader working with homeless youth.
A youth worker’s day typically starts early, although each worker may have certain differences in their activities. However, for Tracey, her day starts at 6:45 AM with a handover with her staff who have done the sleepover shift. They discuss the incidents that happened overnight.
Afterwards, it’s time for her to wake up the six young people they have in service and ensure that they are ready for the day and that they start their day right. In their centre,some of the youths have to go to highschool and flexi-schools, while some others go to Tafe or to work. Before they leave, Tracey touches base with each of them and ensures that their mental health and well-being are okay. In case one or some of them may be experiencing issues, Tracey and her team go through the strategies set out in the young peoples’ care plans to address the situation.
As a youth worker, Tracey takes on a variety of responsibilities, including assisting the youths in attending appointments at clinical services and advocating for them if necessary. She also sometimes goes into their schools and meets their teachers, networks with other local support services, and attends youth homelessness and mental health events in the area.
Asked about how Tracey gets to know her clients, she spoke strongly about building rapport with the youths. It’s a huge part of her job to engage with the young people respectfully and to let them know they can trust her. She makes them understand that she’s there to give support and that she won’t be judging the young people no matter what.
Tracey strongly says that a lot of people think it’s a struggle to work with the disadvantaged youths. However, on the contrary, being the team leader has given her the chance to meet the most dynamic, complex, and amazingly resilient and strong human beings despite the trauma they’ve been through.
Asked what her advice is for those who are considering a role as a Youth Homeless Refuge team leader, she says to go for it and have the compassion, empathy, and respect for the disadvantaged youths. She also emphasised the importance of not making any judgments even when triggered and to always be trustworthy.
We’ve seen too many youth workers, and they all say the same thing—they have found themselves the happiest with this career. Working with young people who are experiencing something with themselves has made them see beyond the imperfections. These young people are among the most talented, sweet, and intelligent individuals they have ever met. And that makes being a youth worker a rewarding job.
And the best part of being a youth worker and team leader for Tracey? It’s being able to watch someone who has faced so many hardships at a young age evolve, grow, kick goals, and build a positive and healthy life for themselves.
