Starting Out 2.0
A National Induction Training Framework for Volunteers Engaged in Youth Work Practice
Why Volunteer?
What is Starting Out 2.0?
The National Youth Council of Ireland published the original Starting Out in 2010. Following significant changes in both youth work policy and practice, the training framework has now been revised and updated in 2024.
Starting Out is a set of resources to help those in Youth Work organisations who are responsible for delivering induction and follow up training to the volunteers in their service.
This training framework provides suggested content for volunteer training modules/components with an emphasis on learning outcomes rather than standardised or prescriptive training content. This enables youth work organisations using this resource, to be flexible in the design and delivery of their volunteer training programmes.
The framework also supports youth work organisations to address the core principles in the National Quality Standards for Volunteer-led Groups.
Who is it for?
Starting Out 2.0 is designed for:
- Staff and volunteers in youth work organisations with responsibility for training and supporting new volunteers.
- Volunteers who may want to gain information on topics to support them in their role.
Why deliver Volunteer Training?
- Induction training provides the new volunteer with an opportunity to reflect on their motivation for working with young people and to begin the process of learning about youth work.
- Follow up training for volunteers facilitates the development of new skills and knowledge.
- Investing in volunteers from the outset will pay dividends in the long term for young people, volunteers themselves, the youth organisation and the wider community.
Some Things to Consider about Volunteering
How to Use this Program
Starting Out is a set of resources to help those in Youth Work organisations who are responsible for delivering induction and follow up training to the volunteers in their service.
All of these resources are designed to assist and support trainers and volunteers to access up to date and useful information on volunteering in a youth club and how to work effectively with young people.
Trainer’s Manual
Our trainer’s manual contains fact sheets and exercises which can be adapted to suit the delivery of an induction training session/s to volunteers.
Guidance Notes
Our Guidance Notes are additional downloadable resources supplementing the trainer’s manual with interactive tools to support your work.
Online Resources
You can explore online learning modules that give you the flexibility to engage with different topics at your own pace.
Starting Out 2.0
Complete Trainer’s Manual
A National Induction Training Framework for Volunteers Engaged in Youth Work
This manual is a valuable resource for trainers working with volunteers. It includes factsheets and practical exercises to help you run engaging training sessions which explore:
- The nature of the organisation (component 1 and 2)
- An understanding of youth work principles and practice (component 3)
- Understanding young people’s development and the importance of relationships and engagement with family and the community (component 4)
- Knowledge of leadership styles, programme planning, teamwork, communication and listening skills, group work (component 5)
Additional Guidance Notes are also available in the Further Learning section below on Creating an Inclusive Youth Club, Including Climate Justice and Global Youth Work, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Young People who are Neurodivergent, and LGBTQ+ Young People.
Component 1
Who are we?
Volunteers will understand:
- Who we are as an organisation?
- The vision, mission and values of the organisation
Component 2
What do we do?
Volunteers will understand:
- The structure of the organisation
- The programmes and activities it provides
- The volunteers’ roles, rights and responsibilities
- The community setting
Component 3
Why do we do it?
Volunteers will understand:
- The principles and practice of youth work
- The outcomes from the youth work process for young people, volunteers, the organisation, and the wider community
Component 4
Who is it for and with?
Volunteers will understand:
- Developments in adolescence and early adulthood
- The importance of building relationships with young people
- The importance of engaging with parents
- The importance of appropriate boundaries in relationships between volunteers and young people
Component 5
How do we do it?
Volunteers will understand:
- Youth participation
- Basic programme planning
- Group work and team work
- Carrying out a risk assessment
- Communication skills
- How to develop a group contract with young people
- How to identify and respond to challenging behaviour
Guidance Notes and
Online Resources
The Guidance Notes supplement the Trainer’s Manual. Each Guidance Note provides and overview of an area relevant to youth work, offers sample exercises, and signposts to additional resources and online trainings. Go explore to find out more!
