Article Review: Michael Emslie’s “Toward a Youth Work Profession”

For decades, youth workers across Australia and beyond have asked an important question: Is youth work a profession? In his seminal 2013 article, “Toward a Youth Work Profession”, academic and practitioner Michael Emslie argues that the answer is yes—if we’re willing to do the work from within the sector. Emslie explores the idea that professionalization is not just a structural or economic change, but a cultural and philosophical one. He believes that unless youth workers define their own practice, we risk being shaped by bureaucratic systems that don’t reflect our values. At Ultimate Youth Worker, this message lands powerfully, because we believe youth work should always be principled, passionate, and professional—on our own terms.

Emslie identifies a persistent theme in the sector: youth workers want legitimacy, respect, and recognition, but often lack the structures to achieve them. He explains that youth work remains one of the only helping professions without clearly defined standards, national registration, or strong representation. According to Emslie, this weakens our ability to advocate for better pay, working conditions, and influence in multidisciplinary settings. Yet the desire for professionalization remains strong, precisely because it promises these improvements while also strengthening our occupational identity. His point is clear: if we want to secure our future, we must build it ourselves.

Drawing on the sociology of professions, Emslie contrasts two paths to professionalization: one from within the sector (led by practitioners), and one from above (led by governments or employers). The former empowers youth workers to define their own ethical standards, practice frameworks, and priorities. The latter risks co-opting youth work for managerial purposes, such as cost-efficiency and risk management. Emslie warns that if youth workers do not take the lead, others will do it for us—and not necessarily in ways that benefit young people or reflect our unique practice. At Ultimate Youth Worker, we echo this concern: we’ve seen what happens when practice is dictated by compliance, not compassion.

Emslie supports his argument with international examples, showing how other countries have progressed the professionalization agenda. He highlights the UK’s development of national occupational standards and an institute for youth work, and Canada’s comprehensive system of provincial youth care associations. He also notes efforts in Europe, New Zealand, and the United States to create ethical codes, credentialing systems, and national conferences. These examples provide both inspiration and a challenge: if others have managed to professionalize youth work, why hasn’t Australia? For us, these stories are fuel—we see what’s possible when youth workers unite and push for sector-wide reform.

The article doesn’t just describe what has happened; it offers practical strategies for change. Emslie proposes forming national associations, developing ethical codes, and building clear career pathways. He emphasizes that these structures must be designed by youth workers, not imposed by external bureaucracies. At the same time, he acknowledges the importance of collaboration with other stakeholders—such as unions, universities, peak bodies, and governments—to gain legitimacy and funding. This balanced approach is realistic and strategic, showing that we can lead without isolating ourselves from the broader system.

A key part of Emslie’s argument is that professionalization should serve young people, not just workers. He challenges us to articulate what good youth work looks like, and to build standards that support that vision. This means defining our values, identifying what knowledge youth workers need, and supporting continuous professional development. Emslie believes that doing this will not only protect the profession from erosion, but also improve outcomes for the young people we serve. At Ultimate Youth Worker, this is the heart of our work—we believe professionalism should always be about creating better, more ethical, and more effective support for young people.

Of course, Emslie is not naïve about the obstacles. He acknowledges that some in the sector fear professionalization will become elitist or bureaucratic. Others worry that it will exclude passionate workers without formal qualifications, or stifle creativity and innovation. But Emslie argues that professionalization, when led by practitioners, can protect diversity and innovation—not diminish it. Rather than gatekeeping, it can create shared values, promote ethical practice, and support quality care across the board.

Emslie also tackles the economic reality: yes, professionalization can come with costs, such as fees for training or association membership. But not professionalizing has a cost too—one paid in poor wages, job insecurity, and lack of voice in policy spaces. Youth work continues to lag behind other professions like teaching and nursing, not because the work is less important, but because we haven’t yet built the structures to advocate for ourselves. Emslie reminds us that if we want better conditions, we need a united and professional voice to demand them. This is why we’ve built our supervision and training programs at Ultimate Youth Worker—to equip the field for that next step.

Another concern Emslie addresses is the fear that regulating youth work could reduce its radical or “edgy” character. He counters this by referencing philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre, who argues that the integrity of a practice is protected, not diminished, by virtuous institutional structures. Good professionalization doesn’t flatten the uniqueness of youth work—it celebrates it and protects it. The challenge is to define what good youth work really is, and then build structures that uphold it. This is a challenge we are ready to take on, and we believe many in the sector are too.

In his conclusion, Emslie lays out a roadmap for action. He urges youth workers to build coalitions, create professional associations, and develop ethical codes and credentialing processes. He suggests working within existing structures (like Professions Australia or AHPRA) or, if needed, creating our own. Importantly, he advocates for establishing an international youth work federation, much like the International Federation of Social Workers, to unite practitioners across the globe. These are bold ideas, but they are grounded in realism and informed by global practice.

Ultimately, “Toward a Youth Work Profession” is more than a theoretical piece—it’s a strategic call to action. It challenges youth workers to step up and claim our profession, while also providing a clear, practical guide for how to do so. For us at Ultimate Youth Worker, it reaffirms our mission: to support the development of a youth sector that is deeply principled, genuinely passionate, and uncompromisingly professional. If we want to build a future where youth work is respected, resourced, and resilient, then professionalization isn’t optional—it’s essential.