Youth Worker

Youth workers support and guide young people, usually aged 11 to 25, to help them reach their full potential. This can include working in youth centres, schools, colleges, outreach programmes, or even on the streets in areas where young people gather.

They help young people with personal, social, or educational challenges—everything from mental health and relationships to housing or job advice. A big part of the role is simply being someone young people trust. Youth workers run activities, organise workshops, and encourage young people to take part in positive experiences that boost their confidence and life skills.

They also work with schools, the police, local councils, and social services to make sure young people get the support they need.

Starting salaries for qualified youth workers in the UK are usually between £24,000 and £28,000 a year. With experience and extra responsibilities (like leading a team), you could earn up to £41,000 or more. If you work freelance or part-time, pay will vary depending on the hours and type of work you do.

At school or college, subjects that help build communication and understanding of people are great choices. These include:

PSHE/Citizenship

English – for strong written and spoken communication.

Psychology – to understand behaviour and mental health.

Sociology – to explore society and how people interact.

Health & Social Care – for practical knowledge about helping others.

You don’t always need specific GCSEs or A-levels, but good grades in English and a few related subjects will definitely help you move on to the next step.

There are different routes into youth work. If you want to become a professionally qualified youth worker, you’ll usually need a degree in youth work or a related subject (like youth and community development, social work, or education) that’s recognised by the National Youth Agency (NYA).

But you don’t have to go to university right away. Many people start by:

Volunteering with local youth projects, sports clubs, or charities

Doing an apprenticeship or college course in youth support or community work

Gaining experience in mentoring, coaching, or working with children in other settings

Once you’ve got some experience, you could apply for a paid youth support worker role and then train on the job, or study part-time to become fully qualified.

In 2024, youth worker was the 19th most advertised job in Hull and East Yorkshire!

To research local education and training opportunities that could lead to a career as a youth worker, visit our partner website >log on | move on>.

Details of relevant degree courses can be found on the UCAS website.

National Careers Service - Youth Worker

Prospects - Youth Worker

National Youth Agency

Want to know what it's like to work as a youth worker? Watch the video in How Did You Get That Job? to find out more.