The central concern of the author is with the possible demise of the emanicpatatory model of youth work under pressure from the neo-liberal regimes who are concerned to introduce an instrumentalist agenda. For example he notes the increased focus on individuals and 'case-work' in the new management led types of youth work.

An interesting article about ASBOs and New Labour. I especially like this: "Again New Labour constructs the family through a discourse that is more usually applied to public institutions such as schools, representing family in a formal and distanced way by emptying it of its intimacy through applying to it public categories such as 'mutual respect' and 'acceptable conduct' " Discusses the blurring of boundaries between crime and anti-social behaviour and the way that New Labour's rhetoric about the family was frequently a cloak for authoritarian and disciplinary measures. Also wins a prize for using the word 'discombobulate'.

An interesting historical survey of how youth work has situated itself in relation to shifting political contexts and how thoses contexts have seen youth work, from 1959 to the present day.

The full version of the above with more detail and a useful section 'Issues for Debate' which, for example, brings the debate about professionalisation into clearer focus.

Tania de St Croix, a detached youth worker, speaks out about the way youth workers are becomming 'spies'. From 2008. (There is a bit of a sound problem on the video).