The role of ethics in faith-based youth work

Reflections on the first of our Youth Work Insight sessions themed around faith-based youth work: Ethics, Boundaries and Practice with Young People.

Over 100 people attended the NYA’s first Youth Work Insight session of the year, with four sector practitioners, researchers and academic panellists bringing a range of perspectives and experience to the discussion. The panel was united in their shared belief that youth work across all youth work settings can provide a space to nurture belonging, help shape identity, form trusted relationships, and a sense of community, routine and hope in young people’s lives. 

One of the key questions discussed was how religious beliefs can sit alongside the youth work ethics of safe, respectful and empowering practice.  

Critical to this is the youth workers own reflective practice and professional boundaries, alongside a commitment to ensuring young people’s voices shape what happens, with their dignity, agency and wellbeing prioritised. 

Colin Michel, Co-Director of Resonant Collaboration, emphasised the importance of learning from practitioners with different lived experience or spiritual and religious backgrounds and staying curious – drawing on local partner networks for support, advice and supervision. 

For both faith-based and secular youth settings, young people should be able to participate freely, use their voices to shape the conversation and be allowed space for questions, doubt and difference without judgement or shame. 

As Dr Peter Hart, lecturer in Inclusion, Childhood and Youth at the University of Leeds, highlighted:

Providing safe and inclusive spaces is especially important where faith, culture, family expectations and identity intersect. Young people may be exploring belief, questioning aspects of their faith, navigating pressure from peers or family, or trying to reconcile different parts of themselves. The youth work relationship and the ethical practice that shapes this, works towards ensuring that the young person’s welfare, rights and lived experience are valued.

The discussion highlighted two common risks for organisations: assuming that good intentions are enough, and allowing organisational, funding, religious or personal bias to override young people’s needs. Many faith settings rely on committed volunteers who care deeply, but that care must be supported by clear structures, safeguarding training, supervision and reflection to remain safe, consistent and centred on young people. 

Panellist Sukhdev Rathore, Exploitation, Diversity and Inclusion Lead at the National Working Group (NWG) Network, reminded practitioners: 

Inclusion and accessibility were also held up as areas that faith-based youth work could be further strengthened in. This involves actively challenging discrimination, confronting bias and recognising that unfamiliarity should not be mistaken for risk, while also responding appropriately to potential harm. The Youth Work Code of Ethics gives youth workers a framework to identify the values, behaviours and professional standards that underpin safe, respectful and empowering work with young people. 

If your role contributes to young people’s learning, safety or wellbeing, the Code of Ethics will support you to make sound, values-led decisions in everyday practice. 

Young people need spaces rooted in care and guided by strong professional values. When faith-based youth work is ethical, reflective and young person-centred, it can offer belonging, safety and growth. 

– Karen Self National Curriculum and Learning Manager, NYA