Local Government Youth Worker

caring for your community in local government youth services

Introduction

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.
Local government youth workers, also known as youth and community workers, usually work in a local council’s children’s services department.
 

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 some places that 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 not catered for by a youth centre and meeting them in their own environments, such as parks or shopping centres.  Youth workers build relationships with young people and help them to address their needs by letting them know about local community facilities and services available to help them.
  • 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 talking with them, helping them participate in activities and encouraging them to develop their skills and experiences.  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 relationships and 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.
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.
 

Estimated salary range

 

Local government youth workers can expect to earn between £23,000 - £27,000.
Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

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.
 

Related Occupations

Follow this link to view a list of all related occuptions in Caring For Your Community.
 

Further Information & Services

National Youth Agency www.nya.org.uk

General Social Care Council www.gscc.org.uk

Care Council for Wales www.ccwales.org.uk

Scottish Social Services Council www.sssc.uk.com

Northern Ireland Social Care Council www.niscc.info

Youth Link - for youth work in Scotland www.youthlink.co.uk

Academy for Sustainable Communities www.ascskills.org.uk

You may find further information about this area of work in your local Connexions service/careers office/school careers library - under V.

What should I do next?

Look for current local government youth worker vacancies in the following places:

 

 

  • LGjobs.com - our official recruitment website for local government.
  • Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly jobs bulletins produced by local councils themselves, available from libraries, community centres, town halls/main civic buildings and central council personnel departments.
  • Local council websites.
  • Local newspapers
  • National newspapers - The Guardian is particularly well known for its public sector job advertisements on a Wednesday.

Find out about the council and get some work experience if possible by:

  • Making the most of work experience placements arranged through your school, college or university.
  • Contacting councils close to your home to find out about the work experience opportunities they offer.
  • Talking to someone who does the job you are interested in - ring your local council to see if someone can spare some time.
  • Making an appointment to see a careers adviser for more specific information about jobs and training.