How to become a Youth Worker

How to become a Youth Worker Think you’re down with the kids*? You should become a Youth Worker… Youth Workers provide guidance and support for young people aged 11-25, helping them to reach their full potential, and improve their social, personal, and emotional development.Their role could involve anything from planning and managing community events and educational activities, to running counselling sessions for those struggling with bullying, health problems, or crime.And whether they’re based at a college, school, or youth centre, a Youth Worker’s duty is not only to mentor and coach young people, but also to ensure they feel supported in their individual situation.Typical duties for a Youth Worker could include:Organising events and activitiesInitiating and undertaking projects that are both fun and educationalEncouraging participation and involvementProviding advice, support, and counsellingRecruiting, managing and supervising volunteersCreating reports and business plans to encourage fundingWorking with police, schools, parents, and other community groups*If you have ever used this phrase, you are definitely not down with the kidsIs it right for me?Excellent communication skills, combined with a genuine concern for young peoples’ wellbeing, are essential traits for anyone looking to become a Youth Worker.Because of the often sensitive nature of the job, you’ll also need to demonstrate high levels of tact and empathy with everything you do. After all, there’s a time and a place for tough love â€" and errors in judgement could cause unnecessary drama and/or tears.That doesn’t mean you don’t need to be strong though. Young people also require a leader with patience, tolerance, and lots of resilience…You will also need to show:An ability to build relationships with young peopleMaturity and discretionA responsible attitudeEnthusiasm and a talent for motivating othersA fair and non-judgemental approachAn ability to relate to young peopleCareer Progression Junior Youth W orkerUp to £25,000 Youth WorkerUp to £30,000 Youth Service ManagerUp to £40,000What's it really like? Even if it does sometimes test my patience (kids will be kids), being a Youth Worker is super fun. It mostly revolves around organising and taking part in a range of activities, projects, and programmes designed to boost young peoples’ confidence and help improve their overall development. Aside from being able to make a difference to people’s lives, I also get to play sports, do arts and crafts, and even put together drama performances â€" who else gets to say that about their jobs? And although it can be hard to build trust, especially if they’re going through a tough time â€" I find that trying to see things on their level always helps to get through to them in the end. Even if I am sometimes the ‘uncool adult’ who has no idea what the newest snapchat filter is… Get qualifiedGaining a professional youth work qualification (e.g. a BA degree) is essential if you wa nt to become a fully qualified Youth Worker. And to be accepted onto a course, you’ll usually need relevant work experience, alongside the academic entry requirements (e.g. GCSEs, A levels and/or work-based qualifications). DBS checks are also a legal requirement before being able to work with children.