JourneyApprenticeshipsYouth worker

Youth worker

Level 6 · DegreeCare services 3 yr typical
About this apprenticeship

What it involves

A youth worker integrated degree apprenticeship prepares you to become a professional youth worker, combining university-level academic study with practice placement hours working with young people aged 11 to 25. You will develop the skills to plan and deliver informal education programmes, work with young people in challenging circumstances, and influence policy and practice in your organisation. On completion you can apply for recognition as a professionally qualified youth worker with the Joint Negotiating Committee.

On the job

What you’ll learn

The theory and history of youth work and informal education in the UK
How to design, deliver, and evaluate youth work programmes
Critical reflection and professional identity in youth work practice
Safeguarding, child protection law, and managing risk with young people
Community development, social justice, and working with marginalised groups
Research methods and how to use evidence to improve practice
Leadership, management, and how to supervise other youth workers
On the job

What you’ll do day to day

Plan and lead informal education sessions with groups of young people
Undertake supervised practice placements in diverse youth work settings
Manage a caseload of young people requiring individual support
Write academic assignments integrating theory with practice experience
Contribute to programme evaluation and service improvement
Represent young people's voices in organisational decision-making
Supervise and support junior workers or volunteers
The deal

How this apprenticeship works

You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there

What you need to start

Level 6 (Degree) - roughly Bachelor’s-degree level. Usually needs A-levels or a Level 3 qualification (employers set UCAS-point targets). You earn a full degree while you work - with no tuition fees to pay.
What’s next: Leads into professional roles, sometimes with a Level 7 (Master’s) apprenticeship after.

Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.

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What it’s really like

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