About the Course

Youth Work and Community Development is a unique and value-based practice that seeks to support and foster the development of young people and the wider community to enable all to reach their full potential. Underpinned by strong values of social justice Youth and Community Development Workers seek to critically analyse the social world and nurture the development of others through collaborative and creative practice leading to social change.

The MA Youth Work and Community Development is dual validated with the NYA for Youth Work and The Endorsement and Quality Standards Board for Community Development Learning (ESB) for community development. Students will gain the full JNC Qualification. The main aim of the MA in Youth and Community Development is to develop skilled, innovative and reflective practitioners, who are able to engage and develop positive relationships within communities, which lead to education and discovery. Through practice workers will demonstrate a clear commitment to promoting social justice, utilising approaches to participation, empowerment and equality. Working alongside communities, in partnership with them practitioners foster the personal, social and political development of those involved.

This new MA Youth Work and Community Development programme has been designed in partnership with young people and leading professionals employed in the field. This collaboration ensures teaching is current and reflective of today’s youth and community development agenda preparing you effectively for a successful career.

Why choose Liverpool Hope?

Study within a school committed to innovative and participatory teaching methods.

An experienced and research-active teaching team with expertise in youth work and community development, participatory practice, childhood and youth studies, anti-oppressive practice, mental health, youth justice and radical community work.

Opportunities to experience international perspectives through the School of Social Science field trips and overseas placements.

This course has an intake limited to 25 students providing an encouraging environment to build positive peer group support and an opportunity to work closely with teaching staff.

Careers

Youth Work and Community Development is a diverse practice, which subsequently provides a variety of career opportunities. This dedicated practice is focused on supporting both young people and adults within the community and can include working within education, health and community or welfare services. Youth Work and Community Development Workers are employed within a range of organisations including voluntary and community associations, local authorities, schools, social work teams and within youth offending services.