History of Youth Work

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Hardship and poverty throughout the 1800’s brought a range of responses and something needed to be done that saw these kids where off the street, slowly legislation for child protection where introduced as well as Juvenile courts. Organisations such Ladies Benevolent, Queens trust and the Charity organisation society introduced in 1887 to provide assistance to the poor. Compulsory schooling, restriction of employment seemed a solution to ensure boys weren’t running loose, additionally Cadet movements grew out of private boys schools to teach them discipline and became compulsory for young people between the age of 14-17 years although the scheme did not survive long after the war. Larrikinism saw the birth of ‘rescue movements’ organized into groups with structure and rules. Between 1870 to 1970 William Forster established many clubs that focused on redeeming boys via camps, activities also offering employment placement implemented to keep them off the streets. In the 1890s Scouts was introduced with similar intentions however provided an opportunity for masculine games. With girls not apart of these organisations YWCA was established which aimed at single woman coming to work in the city, it offered bible classes and a library, With highly Christian conservative views to reclaim sisters that fell into sin they offered classes on employment skills and lectures on health and sex education. Representing a group of smaller independent bodies that grew in 1940 focused on young people using their leisure time and ensuring that young people where fit to defend the country. Victorian Associated Youth Committee was established to equal in rank and raise the importance of youth work, as well as advise government on policy. The first youth work course was developed at Melbourne University. The Barry report was commission in 1956 which focused on juvenile delinquency,
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