The Youth Federation is working in partnership with Connexions Cheshire and Warrington, Cheshire Council for Voluntary Youth Services and Youth Matter!

The aim of this partnership is for youth groups to achieve the standard known as “Validation” by focusing on assisting youth groups to work with young people in a safe manner in their youth work setting

What is the process for Validation?

The youth group is supported by a member of the Capacity Building team from the Youth Federation who will work with the groups’ leaders to achieve “Validation”.

The process is very straightforward.  It will look at how the group operates and more importantly, ensures the safety of all young people the group has responsibility for. This may be evidenced by documentation such as policies, procedures and practices or by training that has been undertaken.

An important aspect of the process is achieved by ensuring the group has appropriate policies in place and that volunteers have an acceptable level of understanding of the current associated Legislation to those policies. However, it is as important that they are acknowledged and are a “live” document that is demonstrated and understood by the group. The majority of groups already have these policies and relevant training in place and in some instances need the minimum of support to achieve Validation.

Support is offered by the Youth Federation to enable the group to develop their policies if required and to consider what additional training would benefit the youth volunteers and workers. The Youth Federation can also offer a “Youth Work Skills” training programme to groups, which compliments the requirements of “Validation” and the needs of most youth groups. There is a variety of training sessions available.

The overall aim of Validation is for youth groups and volunteers to be effective in youth work and for the Youth Federation to offer assistance where needed to ensure there is a positive experience for all young people.