The Training Manual for Social Workers and Youth Development Officers was developed to strengthen the capacity of personnel within the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development to deliver effective, ethical, and professional services. This training manual was developed as part of CEWHIN’s Project – Capacity Strengthening of Social Workers and Development Officers through Training, Manual Development, and Standard Operating Procedure Review supported by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme.

The manual provides a practical framework for building the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for high-quality social welfare practice in line with the Ministry’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and global standards for social work and development practice.

Developed in response to identified capacity gaps, the manual reflects key principles of professional social work, including ethical service delivery, accountability, and a commitment to improving outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. It serves as a comprehensive learning resource for both facilitators and participants, offering structured modules that can be used during facilitated training sessions or for individual professional development.

To support practical learning, the manual includes a range of participatory tools such as case studies, worksheets, and exercises designed to help social workers and development officers apply concepts to real-life situations. These tools encourage reflection, discussion, and problem-solving that mirrors the challenges practitioners encounter in their daily work.

This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) through the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme.