As a senior leader in a secondary school in England, you may be considering integrating youth work into your school's offerings. This can be a highly effective way to support your students and enhance their overall well-being and engagement. Here's a clear, step-by-step guide on how to introduce youth work into your secondary school, with two options for hiring the youth worker.
Option 1: Re-Hiring a Current Teaching Assistant as a Youth Worker
Step 1: Re-hire a Teaching Assistant as a Youth Worker
- Identify a current Teaching Assistant who has a willingness to re-train as a youth worker. This individual's existing knowledge of your school and rapport with students can be invaluable.
- ?Youth Support Worker Apprenticeship (1 year, Level 3): Enroll your new youth worker in a one-year, Level 3 apprenticeship program to equip them with the necessary skills and qualifications.
- Youth Worker Degree Apprenticeship (3 years, Level 6, ￡20,000 funded by the levy): Consider a more comprehensive three-year, Level 6 degree apprenticeship, which can be funded by the apprenticeship levy, enabling your youth worker to obtain a degree-level qualification.
- Designate a dedicated space within your school for the youth work activities, such as an office or small classroom. Ensure that this space is clearly marked and that both staff and students are aware of its purpose and availability.
Step 4: Agree on Youth Work Outcomes with the Youth Worker
- Supporting Education and Wellbeing?including helping students to develop self-regulation and agency, delivering targeted support with a specific caseload.
- Help students to develop a positive relationship with school and attendance: track any improvements in student attendance that may result from the youth work interventions.
- Engagement Sessions: providing sessions focused on?PHSE and IAG; citizenship, youth voice and volunteering in order to maintain and improve engagement with school.
- Professional Development: Encourage the youth worker to continue their professional development, ensuring they stay up-to-date with best practices and emerging trends in the field.
Step 5: Monitor and Assess
- Regularly monitor the progress and impact of the youth work program, using the agreed-upon key performance indicators. Assess the program's effectiveness and make any necessary adjustments to ensure it continues to meet the needs of your students.
Option 2: Hiring a Sixth Former as a Youth Worker
Step 1: Recruit a Sixth Former
- Identify a promising sixth-form student who has a strong interest in and aptitude for youth work. This can be an excellent opportunity for a student to gain valuable experience and develop their skills.
Step 2: Provide Training and Support
- Youth Support Worker Apprenticeship (1 year, Level 3): Enroll your new youth worker in a one-year, Level 3 apprenticeship program to equip them with the necessary skills and qualifications.
- Mentorship and Continuous Professional Development: Assign a experienced youth worker or teacher to mentor the sixth-form student, providing guidance and opportunities for ongoing learning and development.
Step 3: Allocate Space and Inform Staff and Students
- Designate a dedicated space within your school for the youth work activities, such as an office or small classroom. Ensure that this space is clearly marked and that both staff and students are aware of its purpose and availability.
Step 4: Agree on Youth Work Outcomes with the Youth Worker
- Supporting Education and Wellbeing?including helping students to develop self-regulation and agency, delivering targeted support with a specific caseload.
- Help students to develop a positive relationship with school and attendance: track any improvements in student attendance that may result from the youth work interventions.
- Engagement Sessions: providing sessions focused on?PHSE and IAG; citizenship, youth voice and volunteering in order to maintain and improve engagement with school.
- Professional Development: Encourage the youth worker to continue their professional development, ensuring they stay up-to-date with best practices and emerging trends in the field.
Step 5: Monitor and Assess
- Regularly monitor the progress and impact of the youth work program, using the agreed-upon key performance indicators. Assess the program's effectiveness and make any necessary adjustments to ensure it continues to meet the needs of your students.
By following these steps, you can seamlessly integrate youth work into your secondary school, providing valuable support and opportunities for your students. This investment in youth work can have a profound impact on student well-being, engagement, and academic success, ultimately benefiting your entire school community.
If you'd like to hear more about how our first cohort of 100 Youth Workers are making a difference in schools and organisations across the country, and how you can get involved, get in touch!
