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Workforce and Training

Getting Qualified

Overview

There are nationally recognised qualifications in youth work, and most posts require postholders to hold, or to be working towards, one of these qualifications. These are National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), Vocationally Related Qualifications (VRQs) and a range of Higher Education qualifications. In addition, employers should provide a range of training and learning opportunities to promote their staff’s continuing professional development.

Whichever route you decide to take, it is important you have experience of working with young people either through community, voluntary or paid work.

Youth Support Worker 

What are the qualifications?

The youth support worker qualifications are National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), and Vocationally Related Qualifications (VRQs). NVQ/VRQs at Levels 2 and 3 replaced the RAMPs training and awards system, which provided locally devised and assessed initial or basic training programmes for people entering youth work. RAMP qualifications were associated with the terms ‘locally’ or ‘part-time’ qualified. They are still valid for work as a youth support worker.

NVQs and VRQs are offered in the workplace by employers, sometimes in conjunction with a local further education college. They are aimed at people involved in youth work on a full-time, part-time paid or voluntary basis, who have an assisting or supporting role.

Local authorities, and many voluntary youth services will offer a programme of basic training. Some of the training may be classroom based and some will be supported learning in the work place. The training programme will be directed to help you to gain either an NVQ or VRQ in Youth Work. NVQs and VRQs are currently offered at level 2 and 3.

Structure of learning and assessment

NVQs and VRQs are competence based. This means that there are no exams in NVQs and in only one part of a VRQ. You must provide evidence that you possess a range of skills, knowledge and understanding that proves you can do your job well. Assessment is based on the worker’s ability to demonstrate their competence in a range of skill areas using many types of evidence, and will take place over a period of time to suit the individual. In addition, employers should provide a range of training and learning opportunities to promote their staff’s continuing professional development.

The qualifications each consist of a number of mandatory and optional units (see links to awarding bodies for detailed content). They are suited to those wishing to work towards a full qualification, but also provide opportunities for youth workers wishing to update their skills and/or knowledge by undertaking one or more individual units.

Qualification Levels

Level 2 is considered equivalent to a GCSE and level 3 to an 'A' level.

Level 2 is for individuals working face-to-face with young people in supervised roles. Level 3 is aimed at those who are involved in direct face-to-face work with young people, but who work under their own initiative, and have additional responsibility for supervising other people, leading projects and

developing their organisation. Local Authority and voluntary youth services will normally expect you to gain level 3 NVQ, enabling you to create and implement your own work with young people with only minimal supervision.

Progression Opportunities

A level 3 will enable learners to progress to a professional level qualification, leading to Professional Youth Worker Status.

Further information on training opportunities

If you would like to train to gain NVQ or VRQ level 2 or 3 then contact your local authority youth service to identify opportunities for voluntary, part time or full time work at this level and discuss their training programmes. The local authority may also have details of any voluntary organisations with opportunities for voluntary or paid work where you can also train to gain vocational qualifications.

To find out more about the different courses, who is delivering in your region, content and entry requirements visit awarding bodies websites.

Professional Qualifications

Overview

From September 2010 the minimum professional qualification is a BA (Hons) degree. There are also post-graduate programmes that confer professional status on completion.

*This change will not be implemented retrospectively and therefore all previously gained professional youth work qualifications at Foundation Degree and Diploma of Higher Education level will continue to confer qualified youth worker status.

All qualifications vary in length. Courses are available for both full and part time study and require completion of substantial field work placements. A few institutions offer distance learning programmes.

The different qualifications

  • 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

All the professional qualification programmes of study are offered by universities or colleges of higher education. The programmes of study will only offer professional qualification if they have first been professionally validated by the NYA. Professionally validated HE awards are currently offered by around 40 English universities and colleges of higher education.

Because Youth and Community workers work in a wide range of settings, Higher Education qualifications reflect different occupational needs, and have a range of titles, including youth and community, community and youth studies, childhood and youth studies, and informal and community education.

Obtaining a place

An employer may support you to undertake the Higher Education awards by giving financial assistance for payment of tuition fees, or time off for study, but you can also study for the qualification independently of full or part time employment. Current tuition fees for full time study are around £1100 per year.

Most universities have a minimum age for entry, varying from 18 to 21 depending on existing experience of paid or voluntary youth work. Whilst most universities stipulate minimum academic entry requirements, all institutions offering youth and community work qualifications welcome applications from those without academic qualifications providing they can show that they have relevant experience in youth work and have the intellectual ability to complete the course. All universities will have support services for students with different learning needs, e.g. deafness or dyslexia.

List of Validated Courses

In this section there is a list of all the currently validated professionally qualifying programmes that are JNC recognised. These are also presented in a geographical map to help you find opportunities in your region. A comprehensive list of all programmes current and historical is included for those wishing to check whether a qualification carries JNC recognition.

To find out about training in Scotland, Ireland and Wales, please use the contacts below:

CLD Standards Council for Scotland
Address: 9th Floor, The Optima, 58 Robertson Street, Glasgow, G2 8DU
Email: contact@cldstandardscouncil.org.uk
Phone: 0141 282 5264
Website: http://www.cldstandardscouncil.org.uk

Youth Work Policy Branch at the Welsh Assembly Government
Address: c/o ELWa South East Wales, Ground Floor, Ty’r Afon, Bedwas Road, Bedwas, Caerphilly, CF83 8WT.
Phone: 01443 663814.
Email: liz.rose@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Youth Council for Northern Ireland
Address: Forestview, Purdey's Lane, Belfast BT8 4TA.
Phone: 02890 643882; Fax: 02890 643874
Email: dguilfoyle@youthcouncil-ni.org.uk
Website: http://www.youthcouncil-ni.org.uk/