Individuals who have taken on the role of a youth worker are respected for the selfless way in which they act as mentors to the future adult generation of the UK. Individuals who advise and teach our youngsters are playing a vital part in preparing them for adulthood and their lives and careers
Dependant on seniority or whether the position is based in a youth club, a religious centre or a community centre, typical duties for a youth worker will include offering challenging and fun activities, giving advice on matters that concern teenagers, and organising educational projects that deal with issues including health and drugs.
Successful applicants are expected to have a minimum one year of experience in a similar role, such as a support worker, as well as be self-motivated, creative and have an empathy with their young charges. Older applicants will have a Diploma of Higher Education in Community Work, while newly qualified ones will most likely hold a BA honours in youth work.
Positions can be found anywhere in the country where there are clubs and organisations for teenagers. Those who are fully qualified can expect to be offered a starting salary of £22,000 a year, which rises to £28,000 in yearly increments. There is also plenty of scope for volunteering in this field.

• Being able to work with a team.
• Having knowledge about health procedures.
• Being patient.
• Having strong interpersonal abilities.
• Being able to deal with unexpected problems.
• Having good knowledge about key aspects of young people.
• Being confident.
• Having special commitment with young people.
• Having good written and spoken communication skills.
• Being organized.
• Having knowledge about the National Youth Association’s Ethical Demands in Youth Work policy.

Youth Worker jobs require having a recognised qualification from the Youth Council for Northern Ireland or the National Youth Agency. In the case of England, it is specifically required to have BA honours degree in youth work, recognised by the National Youth Agency. There is a wide variety of qualifications offered by these institutions, including diplomas, degrees, honours degrees, post graduate diplomas, among others.

Most Youth Workers begin in jobs that do not require formal qualifications, such as youth supporter workers. This helps to gain the necessary experience for further studies and jobs. It is also recommended to have a NVQ level 3 in a related subject for this area.