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Level 1 Certificate in Exploring Youth Work
Step into a rewarding career with the Level 1 Certificate in Exploring Youth Work – the perfect starting point for anyone passionate about making a difference in young people’s lives. Designed in collaboration with experienced youth work professionals, this course gives you the essential knowledge and practical insight to begin your journey in the sector.
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Course Cost
£675
Course Duration
3-6 months
Course Delivery
Classroom / Online
About the Qualification
Discover Your Future in Youth Work with our SEG Awards Level 1 Certificate!
Dive into the exciting world of youth work with our specially designed Level 1 Certificate in Exploring Youth Work. Created alongside industry pros, this course is your perfect starting point for a rewarding career. You’ll gain all the know-how and skills needed to understand what it takes to be an Assistant Youth Support Worker. Whether you’re just curious or ready to kick-start your career, this course lays a solid foundation for your journey in youth work.
Join us and start making a difference today!
Curriculum
• An Introduction to the Youth Work Sector
• Communication and Group Work Skills
• Delivering a Youth Work Programme
• Safe Practice within a Youth Work Setting
• Self-Assessment for Youth Work Practice
• Working with Young People in the Local Community
Course Overview
By taking this course, you will gain essential skills and knowledge that will effectively support young people. You will understand the purpose of youth work, recognise issues impacting youth, and become fluent in the relevant legislation and policies. The course emphasises effective communication, cooperative group tasks, and self-performance reviews.
You will explore various delivery methods for youth programs, highlighting the importance of youth participation in planning, delivering, and evaluating them. We cover health and safety, safeguarding, and risk assessment procedures, as well as understanding boundaries in youth work. Finally, you will gain insights into your local community profile and explore the key issues affecting youth work today.
Progression Opportunities
Level Up to Level 2: Continue your journey with a Level 2 Award qualification in Youth Work.
Develop Your Skills: Move on to our specialised Certificate Programme at Level 2 to deepen your expertise.
Apprenticeships: Dive into related Apprenticeships to gain even more hands-on experience.
And if you ace Level 2, the sky’s the limit! You can progress to:
Level 3 Programmes: These can pave the way to Foundation Degrees and Higher Education.
Ready to take the next step? Your future in youth work starts here!
See our case studies for more inspiration
Who is this Programme for
The Level 1 Certificate in Exploring Youth Work has been developed with industry experts. This preparatory provision allows learners to gain knowledge and understanding of working within the youth work sector. The units within this qualification are all mandatory to ensure learners are well equipped to progress onto further training opportunities.
What your qualifications can lead too
Youth Support Worker
Targeted Youth Support Worker
Community Development Officer
Outreach and Detached Worker
Youth Support Workers build trusted relationships with young people, offering support and guidance away from life’s pressures. They typically work with ages 11 to 19 but can support up to age 25 as needed. Found in youth clubs, community centres, hospitals, and faith-based venues, they create safe environments where young people feel heard and valued. Through social educational activities and programmes, they promote personal development, social skills, and emotional well-being. They listen, advise, and mentor, helping young people navigate adolescence and early adulthood. By fostering positive relationships, Youth Support Workers provide stability and encouragement, empowering young people to make informed decisions and build brighter futures.
Your Learner Journey – How It Works
Rating 5.0
Our Experience Is Your Advantage
Case Study
Amina Begum – Volunteer Youth Support Worker, Birmingham
Profile
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Age: 32
- Setting: Local charity-based youth drop-in (serving a diverse inner-city community)
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Learning pathway: Level 1 Certificate in Exploring Youth Work (completed April 2025)
- Role: Volunteer, supporting girls’ wellbeing sessions and weekend arts programmes
Starting point & challenges
Amina had been volunteering informally for over a year but lacked confidence and understanding of youth work principles. She wanted to contribute more meaningfully but worried she didn’t “know enough” or “have the right background”.
How Need 2 Succeed helped
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Introduction to youth work: The Level 1 course introduced her to core youth work values, safeguarding basics, and professional boundaries in a supportive, accessible format.
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Recognising strengths: Interactive activities helped Amina recognise that her lived experience and community connection were assets.
- Flexible learning: Flexible delivery (evening sessions and online materials) allowed her to balance learning with caring responsibilities at home.
Results
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Confidence boost: Amina now regularly co-facilitates girls’ mental health discussions and leads simple wellbeing check-ins.
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Improved safeguarding awareness: She flagged a disclosure that led to a timely referral – something she says she’d have missed before the course.
- Clear development path: With encouragement from her tutor, Amina has registered for the Level 2 Certificate starting September 2025.
Personal quote
“Before the course, I didn’t think I was a ‘real’ youth worker. Now I know I am – and I’m just getting started.”
Next steps
Amina will continue volunteering while completing her Level 2 with Need 2 Succeed, with the goal of securing a paid sessional role by Spring 2026.
Why are case studies important?
These cases showcase Need 2 Succeed’s ability to develop talent, improve provision and evidence real-world outcomes – a compelling narrative for funders, commissioners and prospective learners alike. They provide a picture of how Need 2 Succeed develops talent at every level, from first exposure to professional leadership.
They are powerful examples of how Need 2 Succeed opens doors at the very start of the youth work journey, empowering volunteers – often from underrepresented communities – to become confident, capable practitioners.
They represent the current and next generation of youth workers, and include young people who’ve experienced youth services themselves and now want to give back.
