Requirements

Youth or community worker - requirements

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.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

What qualifications do you need to be a youth or community worker?

A degree in any subject is needed but one in a relevant social science will prove very useful. Subjects to consider include:

Please note this is a beta version. We'll continue to improve our suggestions here so that we show you the most relevant subjects.

Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be a youth or community worker?

Although it’s not essential to do a postgraduate course, it can help develop your skills and increase your career opportunities.

Examples of taught MAs and MScs at postgraduate level include:

Applied and community arts
Childhood and youth
Counselling
Human society
International social welfare and social policy
Mental health, wellbeing and resilience
Social and public policy

What skills do you need to be a youth or community worker?

As well as specialised knowledge in youth and community issues, you’ll need to show compassion and understand the value of partnership working.

Hard skills usually include:

Child protection
Community development
Group work
Learning disabilities awareness
Life skills development
Mental health
Risk analysis
Social work
Working with children and young people

Soft skills include:

Communications
Empathy
Enthusiasm
Leadership
Patience
Planning
Relationship building
Resilience

Do you need work experience to be a youth or community worker?

You’ll often need relevant work experience to get a place on a youth and community course. The amount and type of experience will vary but the more evidence you can give that you have the relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes the better.

You can gain experience working with young people or in the community as a volunteer. Websites like Do-it or your local volunteering centre are a good place to start, or you might want to contact a particular organisation you’re keen to work with directly.