This section of the Visible Value aims to provide a quick overview of the state of the affairs about the recognition of youth work in the countries covered by EU-CoE Youth Partnership. In total it covers 53 country profiles (including 3 profiles for Belgium and 4 profiles for the UK).

The content in this section is based on several sources, including:

The sources of information are indicated at the end of each profile.

Back Belgium – Flanders

The Flemish Parliament Act of 20 January 2012 on a renewed Flemish policy on youth and children’s rights includes the legislation about the training programme ‘Kadervorming’. All four dimensions of recognition are present in this legislation: 

  • Formal recognition: a certificate is delivered. 
  • Political recognition: non-formal education is recognised in legislation. 
  • Social recognition: social actors such as the youth sector and local authorities acknowledge the certificates. 
  •  Self-recognition: the training programme (‘Kadervorming’) contributes to participants’ awareness of their competences. 

There is no separate educational pathway for youth workers in terms of formal and accredited courses in youth work in Flanders. Youth worker as such is not an officially recognised profession and therefore no targeted youth work training programmes and qualifications exist. However, most youth workers are trained via other professions such as ‘socio-cultural worker’ (as part of the wider social work bachelor study programme) or pedagogy. Youth workers also have other educational backgrounds, mainly due to the non-existence of a youth worker qualification. 

Although formal youth worker qualifications do not exist, youth workers, both professional staff and volunteers, can obtain youth worker certificates. The certificates are awarded by the Department of Culture, Youth and Media after completion of an approved training programme (‘Kadervorming’).

‘Kadervorming’ specifies the competences the young people have to acquire during a course/internship and results in a certificate. Both the trajectories and competences are incorporated in a parliament act and decision. Besides these certificates of training programmes (‘Kadervorming’), there are also other training mechanisms, such as tailor-made training courses of one day, congresses, etc. The following types of youth worker certificates are awarded by the Department:

  • Animator: the animator training programme aims to train candidates in supporting young people in youth work. The programme focuses on developing understanding, attitudes and skills necessary to work with young people. It is based on a theoretical part (participation (50 hours) in a recognised training programme) and a practical part (50 hours internship). There is also an evaluation moment of 4 hours. 
  • Senior animator: the senior animator training programme aims to further train candidates in supporting young people in youth work and to take up responsibilities within a coaching team. The programme focuses on strengthening the understanding, attitudes and skills necessary to work with young people. It is based on a theoretical part and a practical part.
  • Instructor: the instructor training programme aims to develop participants in taking up responsibilities in youth organisations. The programme focuses on developing an understanding and skills in group dynamics, communication skills and conflict management. It is comprised of a theoretical part (50 hours) and a practical part (50 hours internship). There is also an evaluation moment of 4 hours.

There is no legal or regulatory authority for youth work as a profession. The Department of Culture, Youth and Media stimulates and supports a rich and varied offer of non-commercial socio-cultural activities for young people, mainly through subsidies to organisations on national and regional levels. 

 

(From the EKCYP Country report on youth work in Belgium-Flanders)