Working with Young People is designed to help you develop the knowledge and skills you need for supporting young people as they learn about themselves, others and the society and prepare for the transition to adulthood. It introduces the fundamental concepts and issues that lie at the heart of contemporary youth work and challenges you to think deeply about. - the social context of young people, - values and principles that underpin practice, and - informal learning and its importance in the lives of young people. Bringing together a unique combination of classic and new writing, the book introduces you both to leading authors who have shaped the field and new writing which reflects live issues for practice in the current economic and policy context. Whether you are a new young student or returning to study, Working with Young Poeple provides a stimulating introduction and a foundation for further study. Sheila Curran is Senior Lecturer and Head of Qualificationsin Working with Young People at the Open University. Roger Harrison is senior Lecturer in Education at the Open University.