This research explores the possibilities and constraints of youth work practice in Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) in Ireland. Nine participants with extensive experience of working in YDPs, who identify as youth workers, engaged in semi-structured interviews and a focus group exploring their practice. A dynamic youth work practice is evidenced within YDPs. Using the discourses of occupational and organisational professionalism (Evetts, 2010), a flexible and responsive youth work practice was revealed, where synergies between the occupational and organisational spaces were exploited, tensions navigated, and opportunities pursued. The type of youth work practice evidenced in this research is young person centred aiming to enable and empower young people through a process of critical and dialogical engagement. The youth workers blend both non-formal and informal educational approaches within their practice. The youth workers display a strong commitment to their profession, strengthened by the values of social justice and equality which enables them to navigate and negotiate the possibilities and constraints inherent in the YDP context. A source of fundamental tension experienced by the research participants is the lack of recognition of youth work as a profession, by the Department of Justice (DoJ), in the policies and procedures associated with YDPs (DoJ 2022; DoJ 2023). The research participants also experienced associated tensions and constraints as the principles and values that inform youth work were not considered in the design of the procedures and operational requirement of YDPs. However, these tensions were often skilfully managed by youth workers to ensure the principles and values of youth work practice were applied and upheld. To address the key constraint of the lack of recognition of the profession of youth work, two recommendations are made in this study. Firstly, to use reflective practice through peer learning networks, as recommended in a recent DoJ (2023) evaluation report on YDPs, using the values and principles identified in this study as an ethical framework to evidence and promote youth work practice, and enhance the professional status of youth workers. Secondly, to establish a professional association for youth workers to collectively work towards gaining recognition for youth work as a profession from the state. Such recognition should apply across the broader youth work sector, with the goal of creating a knock-on impact on all funded projects within the sector including YDPs.