A youth-centred paradigm

This chapter defines and outlines what counts as youth centred in the practice models and systems described and evaluated in the literature. The principles underlying effective approaches that are discussed in this chapter include: offering flexible and collaborative support, built on principles of agency and choice; ensuring support is age appropriate and attuned to such factors as gender, ethnicity, sexuality and ability; recognising and responding to the impact of trauma experienced by young people; and responding to the specific challenges and needs during transition to adulthood. The key message of the chapter is that youth-centred systems and practice responses need to be designed and implemented to work with, rather than against, the range of young people’s developmental needs during adolescence, and to ensure that the conditions for collaborative practice are safe and sustainable.