This special issue of the International Journal of Social Pedagogy explores the multi-faceted relationship between social pedagogy and youth work, with particular attention to their shared commitment to emancipation, empowerment and the political rights of young people. Situating the discussion within an international context, the collection examines the opportunities and tensions that arise as social pedagogy becomes increasingly established within the UK, largely through social work, and considers its potential relevance for youth work practice.

Drawing on values based traditions common to both fields, such as relational practice, civic engagement, non-formal learning, equity and social justice, the issue considers whether closer alignment between social pedagogy and youth work can support more meaningful socio-educational relationships and renewed forms of social action. The issue also reflects on contemporary challenges and transformations, including post-COVID re-imagining of practice, practitioner education and training, and the possibility of hybrid models that respond to intergenerational injustice. In doing so, it revisits historical traditions of social change while questioning what paradigm shifts may be required to ensure young people’s voices are heard without appropriation, and to sustain practices capable of effecting transformative social change.

Articles are published open access and can be read freely online by anyone; please see the article list below.

Publication date: From September 2025, onwards.

Guest Editors

Mick Conroy, Urban Circle Newport, UK.

Trudi Cooper, Edith Cowan University, Australia.

Simon Edwards, University of Portsmouth, UK.

Kevin Jones National Youth Agency, UK

Alia Pike, National Youth Agency, UK.

Howard Williamson, National Youth Agency, UK.

Articles

Practice paper

Resisting the professional turn: revisiting youth work as a covenantal process

Simon Edwards and Richard Evea

2025-09-03 Volume 14 • Issue 1 • 2025

Also a part of:

Special series: Social Pedagogy and Youth and Community Work