Working with Young People
Working with young people must be one of the most exciting, responsible and worthwhile careers you could choose, regardless of whether your job is paid or voluntary. The support you offer young people can make an enormous difference to the quality of their daily lives, perhaps even influencing the choices they make as they move into adulthood.
If you’re working with young people between 13 and 19 years of age in informal education settings, such as youth clubs or youth-related services and organisations, our certificate and foundation degree programmes will enable you to develop knowledge and skills that can be applied in your day-to-day work. Studying with us can also help to advance your career and increase employability: both certificate and foundation degree are nationally recognised vocational qualifications that will increase the range of opportunities open to you. Combining theory with work-based learning, our qualifications build your confidence by providing you with vital knowledge about the principles and ideas shared by those working in this field.
Where to start in Working with Young People
If you want to get a certificate (or a foundation degree) in Working with Young People, you should start with our Level 1 course Introduction to working with young people (E131). You will need recent experience of working with young people: check the course descriptions for the work experience you need.
If you are new to OU study, you might find it helpful to do some preparatory study prior to starting the first course in the certificate and foundation degree qualifications. A good place to start would be one of the Openings courses: Understanding children (Y156) or Understanding society (Y157).
Don't forget that if you need help considering options you can talk to an adviser. And if you have some previous study experience you may qualify for credit transfer.
Degrees
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Childhood and Youth Studies
This degree is for those who work or intend to work with children and young people, or for those with more general interests in the interdisciplinary field of childhood and youth studies. -
Working with Young People
This degree is suitable for experienced practitioners working directly with young people (aged 13–19 years) in informal settings or with informal educational roles in a formal environment. -
Open degree
The BA/BSc Open Degree provides a flexible way to combine a range of courses from different subjects either to suit your particular career or personal interests, or to complete studies you have started elsewhere.
Foundation Degrees
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Working with Young People
This degree (JNC-validated for those starting the award prior to 2010) develops the skills/knowledge of those working with young people in informal education. -
Youth Justice (England and Wales)
This degree will suit if you work in the youth justice system (including the secure estate), volunteers working in this field, and those planning to join the youth justice workforce.
Certificates
Courses in Working with Young People
See the list of all our individual courses in Working with Young People.
Postgraduate options
If you already have a degree, you may want to see postgraduate courses and qualifications in Childhood and Youth.
Spotlight on Working with Young People
Formal qualifications for youth work
If you are thinking of moving into youth work, or are already a youth worker but need formal qualifications, this course is superb: it equips you with a thorough understanding of youth work, and gives you the confidence and tools to improve your practice. I can’t recommend the course highly enough.
'I've become a more effective practioner'
‘Very comprehensive. Excellent for identifying what I already knew, and for applying and expanding that knowledge. It focused on youth work, but is valid across a number of settings, as the material is really about informal education and engaging young people, which can happen anywhere. The course (Introduction to working with young people in practice (E118)) has enabled me to diversify my role and become a more effective, reflective practitioner.’
Got a question?
Contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service
Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90
