Getting Qualified

Becoming a Youth Worker

There are a number of routes to become a youth worker, and a number of qualifications available at different levels.

The three most common routes to become a youth worker are:

Apprenticeship
Youth Support Worker
Professional Youth Work

You can find out more about the three main routes into Youth Work below and more about the various available qualifications further down the page.

Read the CYPNow Guide to Youth Work

This short guide we wrote for Children and Young People Now explains the various routes into youth work

Read here

Routes into Youth Work

Apprenticeship

Level 3 Youth Work Practice
Level 6 Integrated Degree

An apprenticeship is a way for an individual to earn while they learn in a real job gaining. There are two apprenticeships which are recognised by the JNC, Youth Support Worker and Youth Worker. You can read about these apprentices on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education website. www.instituteforapprenticeships.org

As an employer hiring an apprentice provides you with the opportunity to develop workers’ talents and gain a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.

If you are interested in becoming or employing an apprentice, you can find out more here www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/

Youth Support Worker

Level 2 Award in Youth Work Principles
Level 2 Certificate in Youth Work Practice
Level 3 Certificate in Youth Work Practice
Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work Practice

A youth support worker is a youth worker who has achieved a Level 2 or 3 qualification listed above. These are qualifications for people who work with young people using youth work principles and practice. The Level 2 is for 16+ age group and the Level 3 is aimed at the 18+ age group.

The NYA does not hold details of where you can undertake Level 2 or Level 3 qualifications, this information is held by the approved awarding organisations.

Approved awarding organisations

Agored Cymru – www.agored.cymru/Home
NOCN – www.nocn.org.uk
Open Awards – openawards.org.uk
Skills and Education Group – skillsandeducationgroupawards.co.uk
The AIM Group – www.aim-group.org.uk

NYA is delighted to announce that an additional 570 Level 2 and 3 Youth Work qualification bursaries are now available for 2023/24. These free youth work qualifications are being delivered with our Regional Youth Work partners across England. Click below to find out more and apply!

Find out more

Professional Youth Worker

BA (Hons)
BSc (Hons)
Level 6 Integrated Degree
PG Diploma
MA
MSc

Degree and post-graduate level learning

You can gain professional youth worker status by studying an undergraduate or postgraduate programme which is endorsed by the NYA and conferring professional youth worker status as recognised by the JNC. A list of the current courses available is here www.nya.org.uk/professional-youth-work-qualifications/

JNC recognition ensures your course reflects the current demands of the role and that the course delivers a suitable level of work experience too. You cannot change the status of your degree later so think carefully before embarking on a course of study which is not JNC recognised.

Whilst most universities will have entry requirements, all institutions offering youth and community courses will welcome applications from those without academic qualifications providing they have relevant experience and interest in working with young people.

Click here for more information

Available Qualifications

Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work Practice (Apprenticeship)

JNC: Yes (Youth Support Worker Level)
An apprenticeship is a way for an adult to earn while they learn. While working in a youth work setting you gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the occupational duties of a Youth Support Worker.

Level 2 Award in Youth Work Principles

JNC: non-JNC
No. of Hours: 110
The Level 2 Award in Youth Work Principles is an introductory accredited youth work qualification that builds confidence and skills in all those working with young people. It is recommended that after completing this award you gain one of the JNC recognised awards.

Level 2 Certificate in Youth Work Practice

JNC: Yes (Youth Support Worker Level)
No. of Hours: 260 (inc 40 hours placement in a youth work environment)
This qualification embraces the National Occupational Standards for youth work. It supports the skills and knowledge learners need to become a competent Youth Support Worker. This qualification is designed for people who are already working or volunteering in a youth work setting.

Level 3 Certificate in Youth Work Practice

JNC: Yes (Youth Support Worker Level)
No. of Hours: 270 (inc 60 hours placement in a youth work environment)
This qualification embraces the National Occupational Standards for youth work. It supports the skills and knowledge learners need to become a competent Youth Support Worker. This qualification is designed for people who are already working or volunteering in a youth work setting. A commitment is required for this qualification as you will need to provide evidence of a 20-hour youth work project.

Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work Practice

JNC: Yes (Youth Support Worker Level)
No. of Hours: 370 (inc 80 hours placement in a youth work environment)
This qualification embraces the National Occupational Standards for youth work. It supports the skills and knowledge learners need to become a competent Youth Support Worker. This qualification is for people who have been working with young people, paid or voluntary for more than one year. This is the mandatory qualification for the Youth Support Worker apprenticeship.

BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons)

JNC: Yes (Professional Youth Worker Level)
No. of Hours: three years full time (and part time equivalent) (inc at least 800 hours of assessed professional practice)
Each programme providing learners with this qualification is purposely designed by the respective institution to meet particular requirements set out by the National Youth Agency in order to provide learners with the skills and knowledge required to become a Professional Youth Worker. These qualifications are aimed at those already working (either paid or unpaid) to support career development in numerous ranges of contexts and professions.

Level 6 Integrated Degree

JNC: Yes (Professional Youth Worker Level)
No. of Hours: three years full time (and part time equivalent) (inc at least 800 hours of assessed professional practice)
This apprenticeship is work-based training programme for people employed for at least 30 hours a week in a youth work setting. With a mixture of on-the-job and off-the-job training you will acquire the knowledge, skills and behaviours to meet the occupational duties of a professional youth worker.

PG Diploma, MA, or MSc

JNC: Yes (Professional Youth Worker Level)
No. of Hours: one year full time (and part time equivalent) (inc at least 400 hours of assessed professional practice)
Each programme providing learners with this qualification is purposely designed by the respective institution to meet particular requirements set out by the National Youth Agency in order to provide learners with the skills and knowledge required to become a Professional Youth Worker. These qualifications are designed for graduates already working in a relevant employment setting (either paid or unpaid) and allow learners to further progress their professional development.