Youth & Community Worker

The Job and What's Involved

Youth work is part of the broader education service and one of the major roles of the Youth Worker is to help identify informal or continuing educational needs and advise young people on how these may be met.

The central task of youth work is the personal development of young people (aged 5-25) through informal social education. The role of the Youth Worker is to offer programmes of activities and experiences which young people enjoy, which are educational and which help them develop skills and confidence, and gain greater understanding of issues that affect their lives.

Professional Youth Workers have to be aware of the needs of the children and young people with whom they work and be able to set attainable objectives and plan the appropriate strategies to achieve the objectives.

Youth Workers practice in a variety of settings, with a wide range of young people and adults and use a variety of techniques.

The rapid changes in society today require Youth Workers and youth work strategies to be increasingly responsive and inventive in meeting the needs of young people. Much of the work is now being done through partnerships between youth service agencies and other bodies interested in contributing to the well-being of children and young people.

Youth Workers have to relate closely to other agencies within the community and to obtain general support for their work.

Getting Started with this Career Choice

Because of the nature of the work this is a career not normally open to school leavers. The normal minimum age for course entry is about 21, although some colleges accept younger entrants.

Education and Training

Because of the nature of the work this is a career not normally open to school leavers. The normal minimum age for course entry is about 21, although some colleges accept younger entrants. In Northern Ireland the principal route to professional qualification in Youth Work and Community Work is through the DipHE Community Youth Work course at the University of Ulster. This is a two-year programme with an optional additional year to complete a degree.

A Few More Exams You Might Need

Academic requirements and age limits vary greatly from course to course and one should check with the individual course provider before applying.

Skills and Personal Qualities Needed

Professionally qualified Youth and Community Workers are currently very much in demand.

Your Long Term Prospects

Professionally qualified Youth and Community Workers are currently very much in demand.

Although the numbers of posts in statutory youth service bodies are declining, other public and private agencies are offering posts to Youth and Community Workers because of the particular skills they can bring to work with children and young people. Consequently, there is now a shortfall of qualified practitioners and employment prospects are therefore good.

It should be noted, however, that many of the posts are offered on short-term contracts and the situation in regard to employment prospects in this field can change quickly.