The Engagement Framework as outlined in the Department of Education’s Priorities for Youth policy, is a way to demonstrate outcomes of youth work.

This document has been prepared collaboratively by the uniformed youth organisations as a support tool for those groups registered and in receipt of funding from the EA.  It explains the EA Engagement Framework, why it is used, indicators of engagement and some examples of evidence that could be used.

The Engagement Framework describes four categories of engagement in youth work, from ‘Contact’ to ‘Maximising Potential’.

Looking back over the past year, you are asked to assign each young person you work with to the most appropriate category, based on his/her engagement in your youth group/unit/project. It is important to note that there is no right or wrong response, only your considered judgement based on your knowledge and first-hand experience of the young people you work with.