Qualifications in youth work

Youth workers need an increasingly diverse range of skills - they must manage teams and budgets, act as informal educators and, of course, build relationships with young people. That's why it is more important than ever for youth workers to be formally trained.
Many universities and colleges still offer foundation degrees and diplomas in higher education in youth work, but advise youth workers to take degrees instead.
This is because from September 2010, the bar will be raised. After this date, students starting courses will need to study for an honours degree to be considered professionally qualified.

Take the right route
St Martin's College runs a BA (Hons) Degree in Youth and Community Development Work as well as a diploma in
higher education and a graduate diploma. Head of programmes Val King reports that the foundation degree is one of the most popular for people who want to continue their professional development but adds: "A degree is better long term as that's the way the profession is going."
A degree could also bring financial rewards. Mark Edwards, community studies programme leader at the University of Wales, believes that youth workers automatically earn more if they have a diploma, and the same will soon be true of students who hold degrees. "If you want to move up the ladder, it will be increasingly important," he predicts.
When choosing a course, it is worth checking that it is recognised by the Joint Negotiating Committee, which endorses professional qualifications for youth and community workers (see below). Paul Adams, youth work lecturer at the University of East London, says: "JNC-recognised courses will improve students' chances of finding a job and progressing in the profession, especially if they want to work for a local authority."
At the University of East London, modules on the BA (Hons) programme include communities, learning and education, youth, culture and policy, challenging disability, and regeneration and community development.
Adams says the university is keen to ensure that students understand all the requirements of the job. "We want to equip them with skills to sell themselves and their experience," he adds.
Students who have a degree, or practical experience but no formal qualification, might want to consider studying for a masters degree. Durham University, for instance, runs an MA in Community and Youth Work. Most of the 27 students work part time and attend the college one day a week over two years. Modules include youth policy and practice, professional and personal development, and management. They also take two field work practice modules.
Most youth work courses are vocational and give students the chance to spend time with young people. At Durham, the MA uses a range of teaching methods, including role-play, to equip students with the knowledge they will need. Professor Sarah Banks says: "The course helps to build their confidence by giving them the chance to work alongside other professional practitioners."
Students on the three-year BA in Youth and Community Studies in Wales also take part in role-plays to help them develop counselling skills. In addition, the university stages weekend workshops at which they can meet and learn from practitioners from a range of services. "It helps them to find their strengths and weaknesses and allows them to be reflective, analytical and to solve problems," says Edwards. "No matter what situation they find themselves in, they will have the skills to draw on."

The challenge of change
The colleges are equally aware of changes and trends in the sector and are adapting their courses to meet these changes. St Martin's, for example, will add more specialist degrees next year, combining youth work with theology or art. Meanwhile, the University of East London is developing a new module at level two of its programme that will focus on youth and community participation and anti-discriminatory practice.
Edwards from the University of Wales says that new roles in youth work are always being created and, as a result, it plans to launch youth work and sport, and youth work and youth justice degrees to let professionals specialise. "We don't want to just rubber-stamp students with ‘youth worker' at the end," he says.
Whatever the course, it's worth bearing in mind the rewards. A formal youth work qualification virtually guarantees a
higher salary and more freedom to move between jobs. As Durham's Banks says: "A qualification gives workers the edge."




What is the JNC?
The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) has a total of 25 members and two elements. One element represents employers; the other (the staff side) represents youth and community workers.
The committee negotiates employment conditions for youth and community workers and endorses professional qualifications that meet its requirements.



My Course
Lack of experience had prevented Beth Allen from gaining a full-time job in youth work. While reading for a BA in Sociology, Allen, 23, who lives near York, volunteered as an assistant youth worker for the local council in Bath and was hooked: "I met young people doing detached youth work and really enjoyed it."
She took a job at a pupil referral unit but realised that she wanted to get a more specific qualification that would allow her to follow a career in youth work.
"I wanted to do it part time so that I could earn some money while I was studying but my employer wouldn't let me take one day off a week," she says.
Instead, she signed up for a one-year full-time Masters in Community and Youth Work at Durham University. "It was quite scary but it has worked out for the best because it's quite intense and I can totally dedicate myself to the work," says Allen.
She has worked for a voluntary organisation that provides housing for young homeless people as part of her fieldwork placement on the course. "It helps you find out your strengths and weaknesses," says Allen, who also goes into college for lectures and seminars two days a week, takes part in group work, and has to meet regular deadlines for assignments. "It has made me more committed and also more focused on what I want to do."