A career in Youth Work is a great choice for anyone who likes working with children and young people. From helping clients overcome problems such as unemployment or homelessness to arranging support for issues like substance abuse or mental health challenges, youth work can be a very rewarding occupation. You might work with individual clients in a case management role or assist families going through a difficult time. You might also coordinate group programs or community projects. Youth Workers might also help clients to access other support services.
This industry requires excellent people skills and you should be able to communicate well with young people. It’s important that you can listen to your clients’ needs and understand their individual circumstances. Working in Youth Work requires patience and energy and a strong knowledge of available support services in your area. You’ll need to be able to multitask and stay organised because you’ll usually be working with several clients at once. You might have to draw on your problem solving skills and you may work irregular hours when required.
If a career in Youth Work interests you, the following courses can help you get started:
Certificate III in Community Services
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Certificate III in Community Services covers the skills and knowledge you need to work with a range of people in need. You’ll be prepared for various areas of community services such as children and young people, people with a disability, people dealing with substance abuse or people with mental health issues. This qualification includes a work placement so you can gain practical experience in the field.
Certificate IV in Youth Work
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Certificate IV in Youth Work is an excellent qualification for anyone wanting a community services role with young people. You’ll learn to assess the needs of young people and assist them to access support services. The course also explores strategies for developing community programs for young people.
Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention
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Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention will prepare you to work with young people and families who are experiencing a range of challenges. This course covers strategies for identifying and responding to children and young people who are at risk. You’ll learn to liaise with other support agencies to help clients get the assistance they need. This course allows you to choose subjects that suit your career goals including family intervention, mental health, domestic violence and trauma.
A Youth Work qualification could lead to a range of careers including the following job roles:
Youth Worker
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Youth Worker coordinates support for young people in need. You might organise programs or activities targeting their needs or refer them to other available support services when appropriate. Youth Workers deal with young people facing a range of issues such as homelessness, substance abuse or family breakdown.
Youth Justice Officer
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Youth Justice Officer supports young people moving through the justice system. You might work in a juvenile detention centre or other type of correctional facility. Youth Justice Officers might ensure young people in custody have access to support services or other services such as education or training.
Youth Case Worker
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Youth Case Worker provides individual support to children or young people who are experiencing challenging circumstances. You might assess their needs, monitor their progress or connect them with relevant support services. Youth Case Workers might liaise with other stakeholders involved in their clients’ lives.
Getting started
If you’re interested in studying a course in Youth Work, make sure you find the right course for your needs before you enrol. Course providers often vary in the way they deliver their studies, so it’s important that you collect information from a range of providers. Find out information about course duration, costs, any prerequisites and the content the course will cover. Once you have all the information you can compare details and work out which qualification is the best fit for you.