Happy Youth Work Week 2022!
The National Youth Agency’s (NYA) annual week-long celebration is back and this year, the theme is ‘A Festival of Youth Work’, showcasing the world of difference youth work makes to young people’s skills, confidence, ambitions, health and wellbeing whilst also providing them with voice and influence in their local community.
Throughout the week, the NYA have held several events to discuss topics such as: recognition and variety of youth work, DBS processes and legislation, equipping the national youth workforce and practice within the national youth work curriculum.
Here at Open Awards, we are proud to champion youth work and it undoubtedly goes hand in hand with our mission to change lives through learning. Working closely with the National Youth Agency, we have developed a range of qualifications specifically designed to provide learners with the knowledge and skills to work effectively with young people.
Throughout this post, we’ll be discussing the various Youth Work qualifications available through Open Awards including some very exciting new developments, so without further ado, let’s dive straight in!
Open Awards Level 3 End-point Assessment for ST0906 Youth Support Worker
Open Awards is delighted to be an approved End-point Assessment organisation for the Level 3 ST0906 Youth Support Worker apprenticeship standard.
Overview: The broad purpose of the occupation is to work in a supporting role with young people, predominantly in the age range of 11-19, to promote their personal, social and educational development. Youth support work provides a holistically supportive, positive professional relationship with young people, ensuring the relationship is routed in young people’s own journey and led by them.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a wide range of organisations working with young people such as schools, justice organisations and community organisations. They may work with a range of professionals including youth workers, teachers, social workers, police, youth offending officers, local government officials and health professionals. As a youth support worker, they may be working inside in specific environments like youth centres, hospitals, community-based projects or schools.
Professional recognition: Youth Support Worker status recognition by: National Youth Agency Education, Training and Standards Committee on behalf of Joint Negotiating Committee for Youth and Community Workers.
Progression Opportunities: Following completion of their apprenticeship, apprentices could progress to careers in the following roles: Participation Worker, Part-time Youth Leader, Project Worker Youth Club Leader, Youth Development Officer and Youth Support Worker.
If you would like to learn more about using Open Awards as your End-point Assessment organisation, please click here.
Open Awards Level 4 Certificate in Professional Development (Youth Work) (RQF) - Coming January 2023!
This Level 4 Certificate has been developed by a group of Awarding Organisations led by the National Youth Agency. It enables learners to continue the development of youth work skills and can also be used to support professionals from sectors such as public services and teaching to develop skills in working with young people. Here is a sneak peak of this brand new qualification that will launch in January 2023.
Who is it for? This qualification is designed for those engaged directly in Youth Work or through multi-agency work, such as social workers, police officers, emergency services, teachers and those who work within the youth service.
What does it cover? The qualification consists of a single mandatory unit, with a choice of optional units. The mandatory unit looks at the value of effective relationships and how reflective practice can assist in continuous professional development. The optional units are based around themes relevant to continuous professional development (CPD) in this sector, including specialisms in Youth Work, cross-sectoral work, leadership and management.
Progression Routes: By completing this qualification, learners will enhance their current skills within the Youth Work sector and may progress onto more youth engagement or advanced qualifications relevant to their role.
If you’d like to learn more about delivering this qualification with Open Awards, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Open Awards Level 2 Award and Certificate in Youth Work Principles (England) (RQF)
Who are these qualifications for? Individuals who are either already working within the youth services sector or interested in working with young people.
What do they cover?
To gain an Award you must achieve 11 credits from the four units in Mandatory Group A. The units cover:
- Engaging and Communicating with Young People
- Safeguarding in a Youth Work Setting
- Theory of Youth Work
- Young People’s Development
To gain a Certificate you must achieve at least 26 credits to gain the qualification.
To do this they must achieve all units from Mandatory Group A and at least 3 credits from Optional Group B:
- Group Work within a Youth Work Setting
- Working with Behaviour that Challenges in a Youth Work Setting
- Work-Based Practice in Youth Work (this will be in a real work-based setting, with a minimum of 40 hours completed)
- Reflective Practice in a Youth Work Setting Optional Group B includes a choice of units designed to give a variety of knowledge and skills around topics of diversity, values and beliefs, social action, trauma and substance misuse.
Progression Opportunities: Work as an Assistance Youth Support Worker (paid/voluntary) or advancement to further study to complete the Open Awards Level 3 Certificate or Diploma in Youth Work Practice (RQF).
Open Awards Level 3 Certificate and Diploma in Youth Work Practice (England) (RQF)
Who are these qualifications for? Individuals who are either already working within the youth services sector or interested in working with young people.
What do they cover?
To gain a Certificate you must achieve at least 27 credits.
To do this you must achieve all units from Mandatory Group A and at least 3 credits from Optional Group B.
To gain a Diploma you must achieve at least 37 credits.
To do this you must achieve all units from Mandatory Group A and at least 13 credits from Optional Group B.
The Mandatory Group includes four Level 2 units along with Level 3 units.
- Theory of Youth Work (L2)
- Safeguarding in a youth work setting (L2)
- Young People’s Development (L2)
- Engaging and Communicating with Young People (L2)
- Group Work within a Youth Work Setting (L3)
- Working with Behaviour that Challenges in Youth Work Settings (L3)
- Reflective Practice in a Youth Work Setting (L3)
- Work-based Practice in Youth Work (L3)
Optional Group B includes a choice of units designed to provide the learner with a variety of knowledge and skills around topics of supporting young people through:
- Detached Youth Work
- Facilitating Learning and Development Through Mentoring
- Relationships and Sexual Health
- Refugees or Seeking Asylum
- Achieving Learning Potential
- Young People In or Leaving Care
- Transition to Independence
- NEETs
- Managing Budgets, Trips etc. in the Youth Work Sector
- Other units have been created to enable learners to build an understanding of how to support young people who may be:
- Experiencing Poverty,
- Misusing Substances,
- Part of the LGBTQ+ Community
- Struggling with Mental Health
Progression Routes: These are required qualifications for those wishing to work as a JNC qualified Youth Support Worker. Once learners have achieved this qualification they could progress onto work as a Youth Support Worker (paid/voluntary), an apprenticeship or further study at degree level. The Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work Practice (RQF) is a mandatory entry requirement for those who wish to undertake the ST0906 Youth Support Worker apprenticeship standard.
We hope you've enjoyed this article and found both helpful and informative.
If you’re interested in delivering any of the above qualifications, please do not hesitate to contact Open Awards for more information and together we can change lives through learning!