Background

The 1984 Costello Report defined the role of youth work as:

Empowering young people and enabling them to emerge from the developing state of dependence…young people must know, feel and believe that they have some control over their situations in the sense of having ability to influence intentionally what happens to them and their community.  The ability of young people to assess alternatives and choose the most appropriate one in any given situation, is central to our views of social education. (Costello,1984: p115).

When published, the Costello Report was adopted as a key framework for youth work. It remains as a framework for youth work for the Rialto Youth Project. We are also consistent with the National Youth Strategy 2015-2020, which originates from, Better Outcomes Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014-2020. Its vision is for:

…Ireland to be one of the best small countries in which to grow up and raise a family, and where the rights of all children and young people are respected, protected and fulfilled; where their voices are heard and where they are supported to realise their maximum potential.  (National Youth Strategy 2015-2020: p2)

The practice of the Rialto Youth Project is also consistent with the five outcomes for young people set out by the National Youth Strategy 2015-2020:

Outcome 1: Active and healthy, physical and mental health well-being.
Outcome 2: Achieving full potential in all areas of learning and development.
Outcome 3: Safe and protected from harm.
Outcome 4: Economic, security and opportunity.
Outcome 5: Connected, respected and contributing to their world.

The Rialto Youth Project carries out its work using different models of youth work which strive to engage young people, from Personal Development, moving along a continuum towards Critical Social Education and Radical Social Change.