Janet Batsleer is Principal Lecturer and Head of Youth and Community Work at Manchester Metropolitan University.

How to Use this Book
Informal Learning and Informal Education
PART ONE: WHOSE AGENDA?
Identity, Identity Politics and Rights
Social Inclusion and Exclusion
Challenging the `NEET` discourse
Personal Agendas
Reflective Practice in the Context of Diversity
PART TWO: GETTING TO KNOW YOUNG PEOPLE
Understanding Young People
Boundaries in Practice
`It's Boring'... How Do Youth Workers Engage?
PART THREE : GETTING DEEPER
Safe Space and Identity-Based Groupwork
The Voluntary Relationship
Competence, Negotiation and Accompaniment
Friendship and Professionalism
Animation, Informal Education and Creativity
PART FOUR: UNFINISHED CONVERSATIONS
Silence, Bullying and Despair
Youth Work Responses
Silence, Spirit and Solidarity
Resources for Practice
Youth Work, Democracy and Participation
Community Cohesion and Transversal Politics

Informal Learning in Youth Work offers fresh perspectives on all aspects of informal education in the youth work setting. Designed to develop the reader's knowledge and skills, this comprehensive textbook explores key issues such as communication, power relations, ethics, gender exclusion, sexuality, race discrimination and social class. The author places particular emphasis on conversation as a key means of promoting informal learning and engaging effectively with young people.

Other key features include:

" case studies that illustrate the application of theory to `real-life' practice

" an emphasis on critical reflection, including reflective questions

" an easily accessible style, with key terms and tips for further reading

" a four-part structure guiding the reader through different stages of conversations and relationships in informal education.

Informal Learning in Youth Work provides a unique combination of theoretical analysis and practice tips. Satisfying training and course requirements in the area, it will be essential reading for all students on youth and community work courses, as well as those in allied fields such as education and social work. It will also be a valuable reference for practitioners working with young people on a daily basis.