Most people enter youth work as either a volunteer or paid worker/apprentice and are typically called Assistant / Youth Support Workers.
Youth Work Training at this level has been developed to support learners undertaking their qualifications part time, so broken down into stages.
The Level 2 Award in Youth Work Practice – is the foundation for either the level 2 Certificate (for 16+ age group) or the Level 3 Certificate or Diploma (for 18+ age group) in Youth Work Practice
Level 2 qualifications are for those supporting youth work delivery.
Level 3 qualifications are for those working without direct supervision, or who manage small scale provision, teams or have specialist responsibilities.
Learners who successfully complete Level 3 Certificate in Youth Work Practice (England) may wish to complete additional units to achieve Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work Practice (England). These can include Managing Staff, Managing Performance, Managing a Budget, Supervision and Evaluation and Impact Units – in a Youth Work Setting.
Individuals unable to access training via their organisation, can apply to the national bursary scheme for assistance towards the cost of these courses – contact the YWU Y&H for more details.
Alternatively, funding for the Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work Practice is accessible through the Lifetime Skills Guarantee. Aimed at any adult aged 24 and over who wants to achieve their first full level 3 qualification, which is equivalent to an advanced technical certificate or diploma, or 2 full A levels, will be able to access fully-funded courses.
19 to 23 year olds will continue to be eligible for their first full level 3 via the adult education budget, and for any additional qualifications made available through this offer.
For more information on the courses read the Y&H Workforce Development Strategy
These qualifications are provided by a range of awarding organisations; see our training booket for more details
Level 3 Apprenticeship – to learn more about diploma apprenticeships visit Youth support worker / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
The assessment plan for the L3 Youth Support Worker, can be found here Youth support worker / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
Level 6 Apprenticeships – to learn more about degree apprenticeship visit Youth worker / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
Level 6 – Under or Post Graduate Coures:
The University of Huddersfield, the Univsersity of Hull and Leeds Beckett Universities all offer Youth & CommunityWork Degree courses at either under or post graduate level.