Youth worker

Alternative titles for this job include

Youth workers support young people aged 11 to 25 to help them with their personal, social and educational development.

Average salary (a year)

£18,500 Starter

to

£33,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a youth worker

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

University

You can do a professional youth work qualification, which is a degree recognised by the National Youth Agency. Degree courses include:

• youth work
• youth work and communities
• youth work and theology

Postgraduate courses

You can do a postgraduate qualification to give you professional youth worker status if you have a degree in another subject and relevant experience.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• finance for postgraduate courses
• university courses and entry requirements

College

You’ll need a minimum of a level 2 qualification to work with young people aged 11 and over. Qualifications include:

• Level 2 or 3 Certificate in Youth Work Practice
• Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work Practice

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:

• Youth Support Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Youth Worker Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• higher and degree apprenticeships
• guide to apprenticeships

Work

You could start as a part-time youth support worker and complete training on the job. You could then use this to join a youth work degree course.

Volunteering

Employers value work experience with young people so it's important to get as much as you can. You'll often need at least one year of experience to apply for a job or course in youth work.

You can find voluntary or part-time youth work opportunities through the National Council for Voluntary Organisations or through a local youth service.

Direct Application

You could apply to become a youth worker if you've got experience and qualifications in teaching, careers guidance, probation or community development.

You'll be expected to complete a postgraduate qualification while you're working to give you professional youth worker status.

More information

You can find out more about careers in youth work from the National Youth Agency.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• excellent verbal communication skills
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• knowledge of psychology
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a youth worker, you could:

• support young people, including carers and people at risk of offending
• run projects that focus on issues like health, bullying, crime or drugs
• design and organise activity programmes for young people
• work with social workers, teachers, probation officers and the police
• keep confidential records, manage budgets and apply for funding

Working environment

You could work in the community, at an outreach centre, at a college, in an office or at a school.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding and outdoors some of the time.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you could:

• become a team leader or manager
• take on responsibility for a specialist area like mental health
• work in youth policy and development of best practice
• move into a related career like social worker, community development worker or counsellor

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Youth Justice Apprentice

• Wage: £10,158.72 to £20,048.08 Annually
• Location: Darwall Street, Walsall

Level 3 Youthwork apprenticeship

• Wage: £20,971.00 Annually
• Location: Sevenoaks, Kent

Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a youth worker?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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Not what you're looking for?

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• Community development worker
• Social work assistant
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Skills assessment

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Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

• 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
• 10am to 5pm Saturday and bank holidays

We're closed Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

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