16868 version 3

Page 1 of 3

Integrate theory and practice in youth work

Level / 4
Credits / 12

PurposePeople credited with this unit standard are able to identify theory and practice in a workplace situation in youth work, and integrate new learning into theory and practice for youth work.

Subfield / Social Services
Domain / Youth Work
Status / Registered
Status date / 26 November 2007
Date version published / 26 November 2007
Planned review date / 31 December 2012
Entry information / Open.
Accreditation / Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry.
Standard setting body (SSB) / Community Support Services ITO Limited (Careerforce)
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference / 0222

This AMAP can be accessed at

Special notes

1People awarded credit for this unit standard are able to describe the meaning of the articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to youth work. They are able to apply this competence to the context of assessment against this unit standard. For further clarification, please refer to Unit 16844,Describe the meaning and relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in youth work.

2Glossary:

Practice model may be any model that informs effective youth work practice.

Principles of the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa are: youth's participation; empowerment; self-determination of youth; quality relationships; strengths-based approach; shaped by the bigger picture; good information.

Theory and practice includes knowledge, skills, and values.

Youth culture includes but is not limited to any culture a young person identifies with. Sub-cultureincludes any group of youth who are self-identified as a sub-culture or sub-group and may include but are not limited to: skaties; gothics; hip hop; gangs; boguns; boy/girl racers; computer nerds; academics; gamers; ravers; church groups; sporting and recreational groups; uniform groups.

3Assessment notes:

People seeking credit for this unit standard will demonstrate competence and be assessed in a youth work setting, whether through paid or unpaid employment, or in placements in a youth work agency workplace negotiated by an education provider.

Evidence is required in relation to one longer term relationship with a young person, youth group, or youth work project where a range of competencies are demonstrated.

People awarded credit for this unit standard are able to outline the theory/model used to inform their practice, and demonstrate application of the model to their youth work practice.

4All communications are treated confidentially. The scope and limits of confidentiality are defined through negotiation and informed consent, and criteria established by legislation, ethical practice, and youth work agencyguidelines. In the context of this unit standard, sources of criteria established by legislation, ethical practice, and youth work agency guidelines include but are not limited to: Official Information Act 1982, Privacy Act 1993, youth work agencycodes of conduct, codes of practice issued by the Privacy Commissioner, youth work codes of ethics, and youth work agency protocols, staff manuals, strategic plans. Relevant additional legislation and the codes of conduct, and youth work agency guidelines will be determined according to the context of assessment.

5Resources:

aMinistry of Youth Affairs. 2002. Youth development strategy Aotearoa – Action for child and youth development. Wellington: Ministry of Youth Affairs. Available online from the Ministry of Youth Development ( along with supporting documents.

bUnited Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child and Convention on the Rights of the Child, which may be found online at:

Elements and performance criteria

Element 1

Identify theory and practice in a workplace situation in youth work.

Performance criteria

1.1Reflection on a workplace situation in youth work identifies the theory that was used to explain and guide the youth worker’s actions.

Rangeevidence is required of three pieces of theory that were used to explain and guide the youth worker's actions, one of which must be the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa.

1.2Reflection on a workplace situation in youth work identifies the practice skills and values that were used to support and guide the youth worker’s actions.

Rangeevidence is required of three skills and three values that were used in the situation by the youth worker.

1.3Reflection on a workplace situation in youth work identifies the application by the youth worker of the principles of the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa.

Rangeevidence is required of all principles.

Element 2

Integrate new learning into theory and practice for youth work.

Performance criteria

2.1Reflection by the youth worker on a workplace situation identifies new learning in terms of their existing theory and practice for youth work.

2.2Integration of new learning is identified according to changes and development in the youth worker's theory and practice for youth work.

Rangenew learning in theory and practice – knowledge, skills, values;

change and development – personal, work-related.

Please note

Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.

Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.

Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.

Comments on this unit standard

Please contact the Community Support Services ITO Limited (Careerforce) if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018