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Minister Zappone publishes Youth Sector Guidance

From Department of Children and Youth Affairs

2 June 2020

Guidance provides a pathway to assist youth organisations with the phased re-introduction of full service provision after Covid-19

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone, today published the Youth Sector Guidance for Youth Organisations on Resuming Full Services after COVID-19.

Since the very beginning of the Covid-19 crisis youth services have been working to maintain supports, particularly to vulnerable young people most in need. Representatives of the youth sector, along with officials in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA), have been working to prepare youth sector guidance for the phased re-introduction of full service provision. This work has been informed by the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. Consultation has also taken place with key stakeholders in the sector, other Government departments and public health officials.

The purpose of this document is to provide high level guidance from which individual youth organisations and services can develop their own protocols. It includes a sequence of actions for the youth sector to consider at each of the five phases set out in the Government's Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. The guidance also includes a suite of templates to assist youth organisations.

Importantly, the guidance is intended to be a living document that will be updated as wider Government advice is received. It is emphasised throughout the document that actions at all phases should be carried out in line with public health advice, including social distancing measures, as advised by Government.

The Department will continue to meet with sectoral representatives to review and update the guidance as we progress through the phases set out in the Government's Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. DCYA officials are also continuing to work with sector representatives and colleagues in other Government Departments on issues such as training supports for the sector, access to facilities, the further contribution of the youth sector to the overall Government well-being initiative as it relates to young people, and ongoing review of the guidance.

Publishing the guidance Minister Zappone said:

“I am delighted to be able to publish this pathway for youth organisations, to provide them with guidance as to how they can move to fully recommence the vital services they deliver to children and young people, many of whom who are particularly vulnerable during this very difficult period.

“I’d like to acknowledge the vital work that youth organisations have carried out during the period of restrictions, and the key role that they will now play as we navigate our way out of restrictions into the summer months ahead. I would also very much like to recognise the support and input of representatives from the youth sector who have worked diligently with my officials to very quickly pull together this important piece of guidance. “

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