Young People, Communities and Youth Work

This degree offers an exciting path for those passionate about making a real difference in the lives of young people. This youth work degree gives students a professional qualification in youth work, one that is ETS endorsed and designed to address some of the most pressing challenges facing today’s youth. From trauma and adverse childhood experiences to substance misuse and County Lines issues, the programme explores these complex topics through a social science lens, helping students develop the skills to tackle these concerns directly and positively.

Youth work is often called the “best-kept secret” because of its powerful impact. Unlike many other professions, youth work focuses on building strong, positive relationships, with the goal of empowering young people to develop resilience and resourcefulness. The programme centres on this relationship-building as a way to create lasting change, and teaches students how to support youth through a range of issues. With a blend of theory, policy, and practice, students learn how these foundations intersect in the real world, ensuring they are equipped not only as knowledgeable academics but also as skilled practitioners who can work effectively with young people.

Students will be immersed in youth mentoring and advocacy, learning how to help young people reach their potential while addressing essential issues such as health and well-being and children’s rights. Through structured placements and fieldwork, they gain hands-on experience that is invaluable in the workplace, enhancing both their understanding of youth work and their employability in youth and community roles. This practical experience is vital preparation for future community work, where graduates will be able to contribute positively to social justice and community development in a range of environments, from schools and youth centres to social services.

This course offers comprehensive youth and community worker training, which is essential for a career supporting children, teenagers, and their communities. With its deep emphasis on education and social inclusion, the programme ensures that students graduate with a balanced understanding of the needs of young people from diverse backgrounds. They leave prepared for meaningful careers, whether in direct youth support roles or in broader community-focused positions. Many professions view the youth work degree as a highly desirable qualification because of the expertise it imparts and its unique focus on the challenges facing today’s youth.

Graduates are ready to work in dynamic roles that demand empathy, resilience, and a commitment to positive change. For anyone who wants to create an impact, this degree offers the tools to become an influential and compassionate youth worker, capable of leading in the field of youth work and social education

Modules

In your first year, you’ll gain a foundational understanding of youth work and social education, focusing on the principles and context of working with young people. You will explore adolescence, societal influences on young people, and essential skills like advocacy and therapeutic practice. This year builds a strong basis in both academic and practical skills to prepare for work in the field.

Professional Practice: Principles and Contexts of Work with Young People (20 credits)
Understanding Adolescence (20 credits)
Counselling Skills, Mindfulness and Therapeutic Practice (20 credits)
Young People and Society 1: Advocacy, Empowerment, Participation and Rights (20 credits)
Youth Work Practice 1: preparing the workforce (20 credits)
Developing Successful Academic Skills (20 credits)

In the second year, you’ll deepen your understanding with social research methods and begin exploring leadership and management within youth work. You’ll look at complex issues like mental health, well-being, and adverse childhood experiences, and will also take on more active roles in creating change through practice-focused modules that emphasise climate and community resilience.

Social Research for Professional Practice (20 credits)
Supervision, Leadership and Management for Professionals (20 credits)
No one is too small to make a difference: Working with young people to create a climate of change (20 credits)
Young People and Society 2: Mental Health, Well-being and Adverse Childhood Experiences (20 credits)
Youth Work Practice 2: Developing Practice (40 credits)

In your final year, you’ll focus on advanced topics like trauma, exploitation, and the idea of a “toxic childhood,” examining how these factors affect young people. Alongside your dissertation, you will develop expertise in promoting well-being and resilience, culminating in a thorough understanding of how to lead in youth work settings and make a lasting impact on young people’s lives.

Youth Work Practice 3: Leading and Managing (20 credits)
Young People in Focus (20 credits)
Young People and Society 3: Trauma, Exploitation and Toxic Childhood (20 credits)
Young People's Well-being and Resilience (20 credits)
Dissertation (40 credits)

https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/programme-courses/undergraduate/youth-work-and-early-years-studies/young-people-communities-and