Outreach youth work

Objectives

Outreach youth work is a form of special youth work whose goal is to be present among young people and to offer the opportunity for a safe and confidential adult contact. Outreach youth work seeks to find solutions, together with the young person, to their problems and questions and helps the young person access the services they need.

The primary task of outreach work is to help young people aged 15–28 who are outside education or the labour market or who need support to access the services they require. Outreach youth work offers early support to the young person, if the young person wishes to receive it.

Working methods

Forms of outreach youth work include service guidance, individual counselling, network cooperation, home visits and supporting the young person in various areas of life. Client-centeredness, comprehensiveness and a strengths-based approach are aspects emphasized in the work.

A functional service and cooperation network is essential for the operation of outreach work. When working in a multiprofessional work field, efforts are made to avoid overlapping activities in the interest of both the service provider and the client.

An individual counsellor meets with the client to map their history, life situation and expectations for the future. Based on this, support measures and types of services the client needs are considered together with the client. During the process, contact is made with service providers, and the client is supported in committing to the services. The client’s placement and engagement within the services are monitored.

Contacts

Contacts with outreach youth work can be made directly to an individual worker by phone, text message, email or via Facebook.