The project “Safe-youth-workers” SYW aims to support youth workers in facing traumatized youth. Being in contact with traumatized youth, youth workers are in danger of developing more severe outco...

The project “Safe-youth-workers” SYW aims to support youth workers in facing traumatized youth. Being in contact with traumatized youth, youth workers are in danger of developing more severe outcomes like PTSD, other psychological disorders, bourn-out and vicarious trauma. We are developing an early set of interventions and a program of personal support, prevention and training to strengthen the personality, the knowledge and skills to foster the resilience of the youth workers.

We are conducting a study and theory review on secondary trauma, self-care, prevention, and post-traumatic care in the youth worker field to obtain current data. In parallel, we are conducting national and project meetings with youth workers and stakeholders to obtain direct information and engage the field of work. Based on these findings, we develop a practical training concept and offer a training program for at least 250 youth workers and stakeholders.

We offer a holistic training program for youth workers based on psychoeducation, self-awareness and empowerment combined with self-care principles. The program includes awareness approaches, strategies, and tools for working with traumatized youth that will serve as a preventative measure to prevent vicarious trauma in practice. To this end, we are creating a practical training concept, curriculum, and training manual to support youth workers. All results will be published in a textbook.