Youth Worker
Caring for your community in local government youth
services
Introduction
The unique and distinctive character of youth work is that it is
based on a voluntary relationship between young people and youth
workers. Youth work is about helping young people in their personal
and social development and enabling them to fulfil their potential.
It is about giving young people a voice and empowering them to
participate in and influence their communities. Local
government youth workers help young people learn about themselves,
others and society through informal educational activities, which
are fun, challenging and encourage learning. Good informal
activities play an important role in equipping and helping young
people achieve in their formal education.
Work Environment
Local government youth workers work in a variety of settings,
including youth clubs, community centres, village halls, churches,
mosques, schools and other areas where young people congregate and
socialise, such as amusement arcades, cafes and city centres. Hours
of work are 37 per week, but this includes a considerable amount of
evening and weekend work.
Daily Activities
A local council's youth service is usually provided in partnership
with a network of different voluntary organisations and community
groups. All of whom, share common values and aims, such as helping
young people develop stronger relationships and identities,
respecting and valuing differences, and promoting the voice of
young people. Local government youth workers normally work with
young people aged 13-19. However, in Wales the age range is
extended from 11 to 25. Youth work is carried out in a range of
different situations and locations:
- Buildings-based youth work - based at a youth centre or club,
this work involves devising activities relevant to young people
that are enjoyable, educational and help to develop skills and
confidence. This might include sports, drama and arts, external
visits, residential experiences, participating in challenges such
as the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, training courses to develop
skills such as ICT or communication, or getting involved in the
local youth council.
- Detached youth work - this work involves identifying and
engaging with young people whose lifestyles are sometimes chaotic
and sit uncomfortably with order and prescription. The Detached
Youth Workers build relationships with these young people in their
own environments, such as parks, on the street or in shopping
centres to help them to address their needs by working closely with
partner agencies. This includes enabling young people to engage
with a variety of opportunities to gain support with issues such as
sexual health, drug and alcohol, employment and education.
- Targeted youth work - this is specialist project work aimed at
engaging with specific groups such as young black people, young
women, disabled young people, lesbian, gay and bisexual young
people, young carers, young parents or unemployed young people.
This work might also include working with young people who have
been excluded from school, those who have been involved in crime,
or those who misuse drugs or alcohol.
Local government youth workers spend a great deal of time
working face-to-face with young people to help them participate in
activities, encouraging them to re-engage with formal education,
and support them to develop their skills, gain experiences and
qualifications. However, the work also requires planning,
administration and carrying out recruitment for support staff and
volunteers.
Skills & Interests
Local government youth workers need:
- an ability to build and maintain purposeful relationships with
young people;
- an ability to engage with communities to promote the interest
of young people;
- an ability to communicate with young people from different
backgrounds;
- sensitivity, respect for others and ability to understand young
people's needs;
- an open mind and good listening skills;
- to be creative with an ability to motivate others;
- a positive approach to partnership work with other
organisations;
- good organisational and planning skills.
Entry Requirements
There are a number of routes into local government youth work. You
can work with young people without qualifications, but this is only
possible if you commit yourself to a recognised programme of
training to achieve a qualification. There are two types of
qualification: pre-professional/vocational qualifications and
professional qualifications. Pre-professional/vocational
qualifications are usually available by working as a youth support
worker and gaining relevant N/SVQs or Vocationally Related
Qualifications (VRQs) in Youth Work. These are available at
levels 2 and 3.
Since September 2010 youth work has become a degree qualified
profession. This means that individuals without a Degree in Youth
Work can only be recognised as youth support staff and not as a
nationally qualified youth worker. There are a number of
professional qualifications in youth work, which are accredited by
the National Youth Agency:
- Dip HE: two years full time and part time equivalent, some
employment based
- Foundation Degree: two years full time or part time equivalent,
employment based
- BA (hons): three years full time and part time equivalent
- PG Cert / PG Dip: one year full time and part time
equivalent
- MA: one year and part time equivalent
Course names vary and as well as youth work, might include:
youth and community studies, childhood and youth studies, or
community education. Some part time courses might be available by
distance learning. Previous experience (paid or voluntary) of
working with young people is an advantage.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
A local government youth worker might start their career doing
voluntary work, or as a youth support worker. By gaining relevant
qualifications they can progress to become a youth worker and may
then move to become senior or area youth worker responsible for a
team of others. Further progression might be into other areas
of children's services, for example, social work or education, or
into leisure services.
Further Information & Services
Care Council for Wales www.ccwales.org.uk
Health & Care Professions Council www.hpc-uk.org
National Council for Voluntary Youth Services www.ncvys.org.uk
National Youth Agency www.nya.org.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.