Youth or community worker

Youth or community worker - overview

As a youth or community worker, you’ll use your skills to support community projects and help young people to access services and reach their full potential. Learn more about a career in youth and community work, find out what it involves and what you’ll need to study and do to get a role.

Learn what the role involves below.

What does a youth or community worker do?

As a youth or community worker, you’ll use your amazing interpersonal skills to build strong relationships with young people and community organisations.

You’ll need to have a sound understanding of the issues affecting people’s lives like poverty, drugs, violence, relationships and health.

You’ll be confident setting boundaries and challenging inappropriate behaviour to create safe spaces in a variety of settings for young people and other members of the community to access.

You’ll enjoy working in partnership both within your immediate team and with professionals from other organisations to build a strong community network.

The role carries a lot of responsibility and you'll need an enhanced criminal record disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The job can involve distressing situations at times but is also a hugely rewarding role.

What will your days involve?

Daily tasks will vary but could involve:

Helping set up credit unions, encouraging parents to establish playgroups, working with other groups to find solutions to shared concerns or problems
Advising individuals with needs or problems through informal discussion, individual counselling, or formal group discussion
Liaising and supporting voluntary workers running groups in village halls, churches, mosques and other places of worship
Undertaking the day-to-day running of community centres and supervising the activities of part-time and voluntary workers
Organising social, recreational and educational activities in local community and youth group

FAQs

How much can you earn as a youth or community worker?

The average salary for a youth or community worker in the UK is £23,400. Graduates start at around £16,500.

Does a youth or community worker role involve travel in the UK or overseas?

A youth or community worker is a people-focused role and will involve travel primarily within the community you support as well as to an office. Travelling overseas for work is rare unless you’re involved with a development charity.