A legal framework defining the profession of youth workers can support the establishment of key skills and competencies and might contribute to the definition of an occupational profile for youth work as a recognised profession. This framework supports career pathways, professionalisation, and provides access to funding. It can also facilitate the recognition and validation of competencies gained through practical youth work experience.

About half of the countries recognise the professional status of youth workers. In several of these systems, the definition of youth worker applies both to professional youth workers and to volunteers. The legal framework often defines the activities undertaken by youth workers and their responsibilities in terms of the organisation, implementation and evaluation of projects. Often, regulations also include a code of ethics and delineate the education and training paths leading to the recognition of the professional status.