Background Information:

The work
Youth work is generally aimed at advancing the social, personal and educational development of youth people, in an informal setting. Young people are defined as 5 –25.

Youth workers organise activities and programmes to help young people develop skills, confidence and an understanding of the issues affecting their lives. Health education, drugs awareness, study support or personal counselling may be involved. Youth workers may also focus on the specific needs of young people in particular circumstances (young homeless, young offenders and young drug addicts / ex-addicts, etc.)

Youth clubs and centres are often organised by local authorities or attached to community facilities (voluntary organisations / agencies like the Connexions etc.), where projects centre around sports, drama, music and other recreational activities. Some youth workers are attached to institutions and some work as ‘detached workers’, operating in a more informal way with young people who would not easily attend a centre. Some mobile youth services exist.

Apart from direct work with young people, youth workers do some managerial and administrative work. They are expected to be aware of relevant agencies like police, schools and the probation service.

There are opportunities to advance to management, administration or specialist work.

Suitability
Qualities needed include:

• good listening and communications skills with a very wide range of young people
• honesty and sincerity
• the ability to not judge people and their circumstances
• emotional maturity in the face of a range of difficult situations
• consummate professionalism in terms of relationships with young people under your responsibility
• solid organisational abilities in planning and carrying out projects fully
• enthusiasm, optimism, patience and trustworthiness.
• a commitment to fairness and equality.

Useful skills
A specific skill that appeals to, inspires or helps young people will be a huge advantage, often in the area of music / arts, sport, technology or health and personal development.

Some things to be aware of!
The work is mostly evening and weekend based, and often part time. Many positions are short-term contracts and youth workers often have to work at a number of centres to make up a full-time job / wage.

There is often some travelling required.

Wages are not very high. Starting salaries would be around £14,000, while more experienced staff would earn around £20,000. A very senior worker may earn more, in the region of £28,000.

There is often a lot of physical work, carrying equipment, etc.

All staff are required to take child protection training.

Police checks are likely when you start with an organisation. Although a criminal record may not automatically exclude someone, all information about records, including ‘spent’ records should be declared.

Getting started
Youth work is not normally open to school leavers – the usual minimum age is 21 and some sort of professional training is usually required for full-time youth work, either a diploma or a degree. Paths to youth work vary across the nations.

Academic requirements and age limits vary between courses. Some relevant work experience may be needed for entry. There are opportunities for work-based training. Training and entry requirements to courses vary regionally and many have recently been changed, so up-to-date information should be sought.