Professionalisation Consultation
Youth Work is currently a voluntary, self-regulated profession.
The voice of youth workers must inform any changes to the registration system,
Background
While youth workers remain accountable to their organisations, membership with Korowai Tupu provides professional accountability, a community of practice, and a way to champion high-quality Youth Work.
Korowai Tupu is committed to the holistic safety of rangatahi across Aotearoa, and to setting strong, consistent standards for Youth Work across the motu. Our members’ practice is guided by our Code of Ethics, which provides guidance to ensure Youth Work is carried out in a safe, skilled, and ethical manner.
Korowai Tupu is underpinned by 10 core competencies, reflecting the Mana Taiohi principles, commitment to te Tiriti o Waitangi and how a youth development approach can whakamana rangatahi in Aotearoa.
Korowai Tupu is engaging with youth workers across the country to build awareness and engagement on professional Youth Work, how our existing structures are working for youth workers and for young people.
Current realities to navigate
Prioritisation: Less than 10% of youth workers are members of Korowai Tupu.
Dire funding environment: Managers and organisations identify limited resources as the key reason they are unable to cover professional costs, including membership of a professional association, training and supervision.
Stretched and stressed sector: While youth workers are working with increasingly complex needs, the highest stressors for youth workers relate to funding and resource limitations (renumeration, time etc.).
Pay: The majority of youth workers are paid below the NZ median wage.
Our goal is to see every young person in Aotearoa have access to safe, caring Youth Work practice to support their positive youth development. Under the
guidance of the Korowai Tupu advisers, the sector has started to review our position on professional accountability, including exploring the option of more formal registration.
Recent Developments
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith Care contains recommendations relating to staff and care workers, including youth workers.
This includes a recommendation that the government should consult on the scope and nature of the professional ‘registration’ system. This works sits with the Crown Response Unit and will be informed in part by the recommendations of Korowai Tupu. The CRU will prioritise this work throughout 2026.
Next Steps
Survey
Tāhano Roadshow
Professionalisation Policy Directive
The purpose of this multifaceted consultation is to build on our existing understanding of professionalisation to inform policy direction leading into the next election that clearly articulates the best system and structure to ensure young people’s safety within youth work relationships
A survey seeking members' views on the potential changes to the regulation of youth workers will be shared with members' shortly
In the coming months, members of the Ara Taiohi team will travel the country meeting with members to discuss their views on registration and what Korowai Tupu should include in the Professionalisation Policy Directive that we will publish in advance of this year's election.
More info coming soon.
In the lead-up to the 2026 Election we will release a Professionalisation Policy Directive that articulates what is need to create a system that ensures young people's safety within Youth Work relationships.