Include Youth was formed in 1979 primarily as a campaigning organisation working to enhance services for vulnerable young people at risk of entering the care or criminal justice systems. 25 years on, this work remains at the core of the organisation. We have the unique position of being placed between different agencies and services, straddling the area if social care, criminal justice and education, allowing for the enhancement of services and practice across Northern Ireland when working with young people at risk of social exclusion.

Mission

Vision
Include Youth seeks to make the world a better place for the young people we work with and for.

Mission Statement
Include Youth is an independent organisation that actively promotes the best interests of and best practice with young people in need or at risk.

Values:
Include Youth believes that all young people

• Have undisputed dignity and worth
• Have the right to justice, care and protection
• Have the potential to make positive choices for themselves and their lives
• Have the right to be valued as active members of society.

Strategy
With young people we:

• Support them to be involved in public policy consultations, service planning and other participation opportunities
• Work to provide training, enhance social skills, create and develop employment opportunities.

With practitioners we offer:

• Tailored training
• Workshops, seminars and conferences
• Information and opportunities for practice development
• Support to be involved in public policy consultations and other participation opportunities.

With policy makers, services planners and the public we further promote the best interests of young people in need or at risk by:

• Undertaking policy advocacy
• Working to influence opinion
• Campaigning.

With staff, funders and regulators we will adhere to best practices by:

• Providing appropriate support and supervision to staff
• Ensuring that the organisation is governed within legal requirements
• Adhering to all funding requirements.

Guiding Principles

• We learn by listening to, understanding and being responsive to young people and other stakeholders
• We respect, support and are accountable to each other and young people
• We work to uphold the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and other Standards.

Download Evaluation Report January 2004
At the end of 2003 Include Youth was evaluated by PA Consulting Group. The final report was published in January 2004. Include Youth wishes to thank all those who participated in the evaluation.