Youth work is a vibrant, challenging, and constantly evolving field. To provide the best support possible, youth workers can greatly benefit from engaging in CPD (Continuing Professional Development). This article will explore the role of youth workers and highlight the importance, requirements, and key benefits of CPD participation.
What is a youth worker?
Youth workers have the important responsibility of guiding and supporting adolescents in their personal, social and educational development. They typically work with young people aged between 11 and 25 in settings such as schools, colleges and youth centres.
Key responsibilities for youth workers include designing activity programmes for young people, running educational and support programmes that focus on issues like health and bullying, and co-ordinating with other youth work professionals such as social workers, teachers and probation officers.
Why is CPD important for youth workers?
Continuing Professional Development is the term used to describe the learning activities individuals engage in to develop and enhance their abilities throughout their career. At its core, CPD is about the individual’s commitment to lifelong learning. It combines different methodologies to learning, which includes training courses, seminars, workshops, conferences, events, webinars and online eLearning programs.
CPD participation can be important for youth workers as it enables them to stay current with changing education trends and policies, develop core leadership or management skills, build relationship networks, and improve their wider knowledge base. CPD involvement can help youth workers maintain a high-quality service and effectively support the development of young people.
The National Youth Agency (NYA) is the national youth body for youth work in England and strongly promotes CPD for youth workers. While it does not specify or recommend any annual CPD hours for members, the NYA emphasises the importance of CPD as part of their 2020 National Occupational Standards and English Youth Work Policy (1).
What are the benefits of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for youth workers?
CPD can provide numerous benefits to youth workers. The following identifies some of the key advantages of active CPD participation.
1. Staying Updated
Youth work isn’t static; the challenges young people face evolve. CPD ensures youth workers stay on top of new trends, research, methods and regulatory guidance. This means they can offer advice and support that’s relevant and effective.
2. Better Service:
Regular training means better skills. When youth workers enhance their capabilities through CPD, they’re able to provide higher quality service. This leads to more impactful mentoring, effective communication, and successful interventions.
3. Professional Credibility:
Keeping up with CPD shows dedication to the profession. It boosts a worker’s confidence and credibility, making young people and their families trust them more. It’s about becoming a reliable and valued source of support.
4. Career Growth:
CPD can open doors to new opportunities. Whether it’s moving up the career ladder, specialising in a specific area, or simply keeping the job exciting, continual learning helps youth workers advance their careers.
5. Networking:
Workshops, seminars, and conferences are not just about learning; they’re great for networking. These events help youth workers connect, share experiences, and collaborate with peers.
6. Personal Development:
CPD isn’t just professional; it’s personal. Learning new things keeps the mind sharp and can reignite passion for the work. It’s about finding enjoyment in what you do and always striving to be better.
7. Adaptability:
The world changes fast, and so do the challenges in youth work. CPD helps workers stay adaptable and resilient, ready to tackle whatever comes their way, from new digital tools to cultural shifts.
8. Cost effective learning:
CPD courses are often affordable, or even free, offering learners a chance to develop their skills and knowledge without overextending their budget. This could be engaging with flexible learning methods such as online courses, or reflective learning such as reading relevant books and watching educational videos.
What CPD topics can help improve my skills and knowledge as a youth worker?
Through CPD participation, you can gain new skills and knowledge that will help you become a more effective and competent youth worker. CPD can help you develop and improve valuable transferable skills such as leadership and teamwork.
The NYA identifies key areas where youth workers should focus their CPD learning. These include topics such as safeguarding, mental health, first aid, budgeting and finance and digital skills. CPD is also encouraged to help youth workers stay current with any changes in policies, laws, and regulations that affect youth work.
Overall, CPD can be a vital investment in your career as a youth worker. It enables youth professionals to stay competent and confident in their work - ultimately leading to better outcomes for the young people they serve.
Where to find CPD courses for youth workers?
The CPD Certification Service works with providers from across all industry sectors offering a variety of CPD activities which can be beneficial for youth workers looking to learn and improve their skills. Within the CPD Courses Catalogue, you can find a comprehensive range of training courses, educational events, eLearning programs, conferences, workshops and seminars which have been formally CPD certified. To find out more about a particular CPD course listed on our website, please complete an enquiry form and the details will be sent directly to the relevant CPD provider.
How to become an accredited CPD provider
We hope this article was helpful. Established in 1996, The CPD Certification Service has over 27 years’ experience providing CPD accreditation. With members in over 100 countries, our CPD providers benefit from the ability to promote themselves as part of an international community where quality is both recognised and assured.
If you are interested in offering training and events suitable for Continuing Professional Development, please visit the Become a CPD Provider page or contact our team to discuss in more detail. Alternatively, if you are looking for a free online CPD record tool to help manage, track and log your ongoing learning, as well as store your professional training records and attendance certificates in one simple place, go to the myCPD Portal page.
REFERENCES
(1) https://nya.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Youth-Work-in-England-and-the-National-Occupational-Standards-2024.pdf
