Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice

Step into a rewarding career with the Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice – 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 youth work sector.

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Advance Your Career with Our Comprehensive Training

Invest in your future with our industry-recognised training programme. This Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in entry-level youth work roles. Our flexible delivery model ensures you receive high-quality instruction while balancing your personal and professional commitments.

Course Cost

£675

Course Duration

3-6 months

Course Delivery

Classroom / Online

About the level 1 certificate in youth work

Discover Your Future in Youth Work with Our Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice!

Dive into the exciting world of youth work with our specially designed Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice. Created alongside industry professionals, this qualification is the ideal introduction to youth work principles, values, and safe practice. You’ll gain all the foundational understanding needed to explore roles such as 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

Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice: Course Overview
By completing the Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice, you will gain essential skills and knowledge that will effectively support young people. You will understand the purpose of youth work, recognise issues impacting young people, 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 after completing the Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice by progressing to 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

Qualification Objective of the Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice

By completing the core units of the Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice, you’ll gain a solid foundation and the confidence to progress onto higher-level training and qualifications. This course provides exciting opportunities in youth work, whether you’re just starting out or looking to change career.

Available to learners aged 16 and above – enrol today and take the first step toward a meaningful career.

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Who is this Programme for

The Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice has been developed with industry experts. This qualification enables learners to gain knowledge and understanding of professional youth work practice. All units within the Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice are mandatory, ensuring learners are well equipped to progress onto further training opportunities.

What your qualifications can lead to

Youth Support Workers build trusted relationships with young people, offering support and guidance away from life’s pressures. With a foundation gained through the Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice, they typically work with young people aged 11 to 19, with support up to age 25 where needed. Found in youth clubs, community centres, hospitals, and faith-based venues, Youth support Workers help create safe and inclusive environments where young people feel heard, respected, and valued. Through social and 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 applying the core principles introduced in the Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice, Youth Support Workers foster positive relationships that provide stability, encouragement, and empowerment, helping young people to make informed decisions and build brighter futures.

TYS (Targeted Youth Support) Workers support young people aged 10 to 21 who need extra help to make informed choices and stay on positive paths. Through approaches introduced in the Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice, they provide tailored support to those at risk of disengagement or facing multiple challenges. For example, they might create individualised action plans to address issues like truancy, help young people develop life skills through group activities, and support them in finding employment or educational opportunities. Typical roles include Specialist Substance Misuse Workers, Youth Counsellors, and Targeted Youth Workers, offering emotional and psychological support to young people facing various challenges.

Activities TYS Workers may get involved in:

Workshops on Healthy Relationships: Helping young people understand and build healthy relationships with peers, family, and romantic partners—key principles explored within the Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice.
Job Readiness Programmes: Teaching skills like resume writing, interview techniques, and job searching strategies to prepare young people for the workforce.
Community Service Projects: Engaging young people in local community service, such as organising neighbourhood clean-ups or volunteering at local charities, to develop a sense of responsibility and community involvement.

By providing this targeted support, TYS Workers empower young people to overcome obstacles and build brighter, more stable futures.

As a Community Development Worker, you’ll collaborate with young people and local communities to identify needs, launch impactful projects, and encourage engagement. The skills developed through the Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice support this role by building a strong understanding of community-based youth work. Your role includes:

Identify Needs: Conduct surveys or hold meetings to understand local issues like youth unemployment and safety concerns.
Launch Projects: Develop and implement initiatives such as youth mentorship programs, job fairs, or community gardens.
Encourage Engagement: Promote volunteer opportunities, host events, and run social media campaigns to boost participation.

Additionally, you’ll:

Facilitate Youth Participation: Set up youth councils and lead workshops to give young people a voice to share their views and influence decision-making—an approach central to the Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice.
Foster Social Cohesion: Organize multicultural festivals and interfaith dialogues to unite diverse groups.
Equip Young People: Run educational programs on civic life, train on community actions, and help youth understand their civic responsibilities.

By working closely with the community, you’ll help build a more inclusive, engaged, and proactive environment where everyone, especially young people, can thrive.

Outreach and Detached Youth Workers engage with marginalised and underprivileged young people who don’t access traditional youth services. As part of the Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice, learners develop an understanding of how these roles focus on building trust, providing support, and connecting young people with essential services and opportunities.

Key responsibilities include:

Engaging in Non-Traditional Settings: Meet young people in their own environments, such as streets, parks, and community spaces.
Building Trust: Establish trusting relationships by being consistent and approachable.
Providing Support: Offer personalized advice and help young people navigate personal and social issues.
Connecting to Services: Link young people to educational resources, health services, housing support, and job opportunities.
Advocacy: Act as a voice for young people, helping them advocate for themselves.
Crisis Intervention: Respond to emergencies like homelessness or substance abuse, providing immediate support and connecting to emergency services.
Community Integration: Help young people integrate into positive social networks and community activities.
Flexibility: Adapt to the diverse needs and environments of young people, often working unconventional hours.

Through consistent presence and personalised support, Outreach and Detached Youth Workers demonstrate the real-world application of principles introduced in the Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice, playing a crucial role in reaching and empowering the most vulnerable young people in our communities.

Your Learner Journey – How It Works

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Our Experience Is Your Advantage

Level 1 Certificate Youth Work Case Study

Amina Begum – Volunteer Youth Support Worker, Birmingham

Profile

Age: 32
Setting: Local charity-based youth drop-in (serving a diverse inner-city community)
Learning pathway: Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice (completed April 2025)
Role: Volunteer, supporting girls’ wellbeing sessions and weekend arts programmes

Starting point & challenges
Before enrolling on the Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice, 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

Introduction to youth work: The Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice introduced her to core youth work values, safeguarding basics, and professional boundaries in a supportive, accessible format.
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

Confidence boost: After completing the Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice, Amina now regularly co-facilitates girls’ mental health discussions and leads simple wellbeing check-ins.
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 in 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, building on the strong foundation gained through the Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice, with the goal of securing a paid sessional role by Spring 2026.

Why Case Studies Matter for the Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice?

These case studies highlight how the Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice supports real people to build confidence, skills, and clear progression routes within the youth work sector. They showcase Need 2 Succeed’s ability to develop talent, improve provision and evidence real-world outcomes – creating 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 the Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice 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.

Level 1 Certificate in Youth Work Practice

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