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Why study this course

An apprenticeship is either fully funded through the Apprenticeship levy or 95% funded for small employers

All modules relevant to your organisation and network with like-minded professionals

Achieve a BA (Hons) Degree and JNC Professional Status whilst developing your career

Hugely rewarding Apprenticeship, developing your knowledge and skills to empower and help the lives of young people

Course overview

Youth Workers can be found in a range of settings where young people are present, including (but not limited to) youth projects, educational settings, health environments and the faith sector. We encourage applications from mature learners and recognise that their experience or qualifications may differ from others.

Key facts

Duration

3 years

3 years

Full-time

Start date

September 2025

Awarding institution

Bishop Grosseteste University

About this apprenticeship

The Youth Worker Apprenticeship will allow you to:

  • Engage with informal settings, such as youth clubs, activity-based or social action projects, or more formal, such as Local Authority Children's Services, hospitals, schools, alternative education provisions or youth custody.
  • Work with young people aged 11 to 19, or up to the age of 25 for those with additional needs.
  • Work with young people to develop holistically, to facilitate personal, social and educational development and enable them to develop their voice, influence and place in society, and reach their individual and collective potential.

This degree programme meets the requirements for professional validation by the National Youth Agency and is therefore recognised by the JNC conferring professional qualification status in youth and community work.

How you can apply

To apply, employers please complete the short Request for Services form below.. Once we have received this form, the next step will be to send out the application form to the candidate(s).

Please note this course is open for September 2025 entry.

Enquire Now

Privacy Notice

For an informal chat please contact the team at apprenticeships@bishopg.ac.uk.

What you will study

This module provides an induction to higher education set within the context of your own learning and supports the development of academic literacies. The underpinning foundations for professional learning are the focus of ‘Tools for Learning’ including ethical principles and reflection. The module also introduces well-established traditional and contemporary learning theories in relation to higher education. The syllabus will include an induction to the range of learning resources available on campus, through the library and CELT to facilitate development of higher education academic literacy skills. You will practice and develop study skills, and evaluate personal learning, reflection, ethics and development. You will study aspects of well-established learning theory associated with development. You will have an opportunity to evaluate and reflect on your personal learning.

This module provides an induction to higher education set within the context of your own learning and supports the development of academic literacies. The underpinning foundations for professional learning are the focus of ‘Tools for Learning’ including ethical principles and reflection. The module also introduces well established traditional and contemporary learning theories, to support children and young people’s development. You will practise and improve your study skills, as well as analyse your personal learning, reflection, ethics, and progress. You will investigate parts of well-established learning theory related to development, and will have an opportunity to evaluate and reflect on your professional practice. You will also consider the tools and principles relating to reflective communication that support your own and others learning development and achievement.

This Level 4 module introduces you to a range of key thinkers, concepts and ideas in relation to provision and practice developments for children, young people and their families. The module combines a study of historical background about formal and informal provision alongside contemporary thinkers shaping and/or determining 21st Century practice. Concepts are introduced that you can build upon throughout the programme of study. The module enables you to draw on your own practice experiences, encouraging you to critically engage with the theories, concepts and ideas presented to identify strengths, limitations and the applicability to professional practice today.

Although developmental theories of education and learning are used throughout the programme, this module ensures you have a secure grounding in a range of perspectives to enable exploration of theories, principles and policy relating to the development of the individual in society. The module explores the influencing factors on development and how children and young people may be supported. The module enables you to evaluate the impact of development and will include a range of theories and perspectives based in sociology and psychology. There will be opportunities to develop the understanding gained in prior learning of how development can impact on children and young people’s learning. The module introduces you to contemporary concepts and principles of supporting children and young people in a range of practice settings.

This Level 4 module builds on your practice experiences of working in settings with colleagues, children, young people and families alongside professional practice safeguarding training. The aim is therefore to develop and extend knowledge and understanding, particularly in relation to multi-professional approaches required within professional practice, with particular focus on safeguarding of children and/or young people. The module explores and examines empowering relationships within settings and also wider networks of professionals and organisations. Factors are considered which help or hinder effective approaches for working together. The module enables you to draw on your own practice experiences, encouraging you to critically reflect upon your own professional approach alongside building strategies for the future. This is with the aim of equipping you to work effectively with children, young people and families as well as appropriate and/or relevant professionals and/or organisations.

This module explores the influences which impact upon the health of children and young people. You will explore theoretical and practical perspectives of supporting health and well-being, which have influenced policy and practice. You will also reflect upon the importance of health promotion and effective working practices in supporting individual’s mental, physical, emotional and nutritional health needs.

Although matters relating to inclusive practice are embedded in all modules, this module offers you the opportunity to study the topic in depth and to critically analyse and apply a range of theories. It will build on the values, beliefs and philosophies explored in Level 4 modules and extend your appreciation of societal inequality. You will develop awareness of issues relating to inclusion, participation and entitlement and the role played by the practitioner in advancing inclusive practice. The module provides an opportunity for you to reflect upon and evaluate your own values and beliefs and how these might affect your practice and the practice of others. You will develop an understanding of the key theories, such as related models, through the examination of historical perspectives and analysis of current practice. Exploration of the implementation of education, health and social policies will be undertaken to understand how provision may support participation and aims to meet a diverse range of needs within society.

This module will provide you with an exploration of the range of skills, knowledge and understanding required to plan, prepare, facilitate and evaluate initiatives targeted at children, young people and families in informal contexts. Throughout the module you will be encouraged to consider and appreciate the scope and limitations of education within a variety of learning environments and organisations. The module explores the complexities and processes of inclusive informal pedagogy in a range of professional environments. Aspects of ethical practice and reflective practice will be explored and evaluated in relation to preventative, developmental and interventionist programmes of informal learning and education.

This practice-based module is designed to enable you to explore your professional practice working with children, young people and/or families. You have the opportunity to develop and apply knowledge and skills in your practice setting, which will develop and enhance professional formation. The module analyses principles of practice including ethical codes and competence frameworks, which aims to support you to develop your capacity to engage in informed, constructive reflection. This module aims to extend your knowledge and understanding of your role within a professional team and in promoting inclusive practice, equality and diversity. You will reflect on your own learning and intellectual development, making use of constructive feedback.

The Practitioner Research module provides you with the opportunity to design a research project. You will be introduced to the broad principles of research design, by engaging with the process of a literature review, you will develop subject knowledge pertinent to the area of inquiry. Ethical issues will be addressed, including the key principles of informed consent, anonymity and confidentiality. You will be introduced to a range of data collection methods and techniques for analysing and presenting research findings and this will be supported through lectures. You will expected to collect primary data from your fellow students within the class, and will then be guided to write up specific elements of your project for the assessments.

There will be a series of lectures based on professional studies, enabling you to understand the professional role of the teacher in more depth. You will learn about the legal framework and the larger context within which teachers work, including working with agencies, other staff in school, parents and the wider community, addressing aspects of SCSM and Part II of the Teachers’ Standards, and highlighting safeguarding issues.

This module introduces you to the planning and design of an independent study and serves as a prerequisite for the Level 6 final independent study module. It introduces you to, and guides you through planning a research question, deciding on an appropriate research method and sample group that will allow you to complete the small-scale research project in Independent Study Part 2 module. In addition, you will create a research proposal by and engage in theoretical and practical principles, as well as learning to recognise your own limitations. The module is based on ethical concepts and policies, and you will study ethical complexity in connection to your chosen research subject and show this by participating in the ethical approval process.

This module will develop your capacity for critical thinking and analysis and encourage you to form and articulate an argument which is robustly supported by relevant sources. The module will enable you to study a pertinent, critical issue within your sector. Taught content will offer examples of current, and potential future issues in the field of early childhood, childhood and youth and education. By exploring a range of issues, the teaching and learning strategy undertakes to present a model of how to select and investigate a critical issue and craft an argument that draws upon (for example) practice-based evidence, national/local statistics, published research and established theory. You will investigate the political, social and/or economic drivers behind your chosen issue and consider the implications for professional practice. These may include, for example, the contribution of multi-agency colleagues, international perspectives and the barriers and affordances of the issue within your own work setting and professional practice.

The module adopts a work-based and problem-solving pedagogy where learning is grounded in the external context of your professional practice. Assessments require application of what is being learnt to your practice context, enabling you to solve real issues from your organisations and reflect on your own work-based experience. The module provides the opportunity to focus in some depth on aspects of professional practice including leadership and management. The module content will involve the study of key aspects of professionalism such as reflective, critical and ethical practice where you will explore relevant theoretical perspectives. Legal frameworks and national standards will be examined in relation to personal competencies and leading practice within settings. Leadership and management theory will be critically evaluated. Interagency and collaborative working will be critically explored and issues of facilitating dynamic change within the sector in response to global and cultural influences will be addressed.

This module explores the historical and socio-economic contexts of childhood and youth and outlines how the changing social and cultural constructions of childhood and youth impact on lived realities in diverse and differing contexts. You will gain knowledge and understanding of the complexities surrounding alternative education and learning, the ideologies and responsibilities for welfare, and the application of these elements in the experiences that effect children’s and young peoples’ lives. The impact of policy and legislation is critically considered using in depth examination of evidence emphasising the importance of meaningful participation and questions the universalised idealisms of young people’s rights and notions of place in a globalised world.

This module provides an induction to higher education set within the context of your own learning and supports the development of academic literacies. The underpinning foundations for professional learning are the focus of ‘Tools for Learning’ including ethical principles and reflection. The module also introduces well-established traditional and contemporary learning theories in relation to higher education. The syllabus will include an induction to the range of learning resources available on campus, through the library and CELT to facilitate development of higher education academic literacy skills. You will practice and develop study skills, and evaluate personal learning, reflection, ethics and development. You will study aspects of well-established learning theory associated with development. You will have an opportunity to evaluate and reflect on your personal learning.

This module provides an induction to higher education set within the context of your own learning and supports the development of academic literacies. The underpinning foundations for professional learning are the focus of ‘Tools for Learning’ including ethical principles and reflection. The module also introduces well established traditional and contemporary learning theories, to support children and young people’s development. You will practise and improve your study skills, as well as analyse your personal learning, reflection, ethics, and progress. You will investigate parts of well-established learning theory related to development, and will have an opportunity to evaluate and reflect on your professional practice. You will also consider the tools and principles relating to reflective communication that support your own and others learning development and achievement.

This Level 4 module introduces you to a range of key thinkers, concepts and ideas in relation to provision and practice developments for children, young people and their families. The module combines a study of historical background about formal and informal provision alongside contemporary thinkers shaping and/or determining 21st Century practice. Concepts are introduced that you can build upon throughout the programme of study. The module enables you to draw on your own practice experiences, encouraging you to critically engage with the theories, concepts and ideas presented to identify strengths, limitations and the applicability to professional practice today.

Although developmental theories of education and learning are used throughout the programme, this module ensures you have a secure grounding in a range of perspectives to enable exploration of theories, principles and policy relating to the development of the individual in society. The module explores the influencing factors on development and how children and young people may be supported. The module enables you to evaluate the impact of development and will include a range of theories and perspectives based in sociology and psychology. There will be opportunities to develop the understanding gained in prior learning of how development can impact on children and young people’s learning. The module introduces you to contemporary concepts and principles of supporting children and young people in a range of practice settings.

This Level 4 module builds on your practice experiences of working in settings with colleagues, children, young people and families alongside professional practice safeguarding training. The aim is therefore to develop and extend knowledge and understanding, particularly in relation to multi-professional approaches required within professional practice, with particular focus on safeguarding of children and/or young people. The module explores and examines empowering relationships within settings and also wider networks of professionals and organisations. Factors are considered which help or hinder effective approaches for working together. The module enables you to draw on your own practice experiences, encouraging you to critically reflect upon your own professional approach alongside building strategies for the future. This is with the aim of equipping you to work effectively with children, young people and families as well as appropriate and/or relevant professionals and/or organisations.

This module explores the influences which impact upon the health of children and young people. You will explore theoretical and practical perspectives of supporting health and well-being, which have influenced policy and practice. You will also reflect upon the importance of health promotion and effective working practices in supporting individual’s mental, physical, emotional and nutritional health needs.

Although matters relating to inclusive practice are embedded in all modules, this module offers you the opportunity to study the topic in depth and to critically analyse and apply a range of theories. It will build on the values, beliefs and philosophies explored in Level 4 modules and extend your appreciation of societal inequality. You will develop awareness of issues relating to inclusion, participation and entitlement and the role played by the practitioner in advancing inclusive practice. The module provides an opportunity for you to reflect upon and evaluate your own values and beliefs and how these might affect your practice and the practice of others. You will develop an understanding of the key theories, such as related models, through the examination of historical perspectives and analysis of current practice. Exploration of the implementation of education, health and social policies will be undertaken to understand how provision may support participation and aims to meet a diverse range of needs within society.

This module will provide you with an exploration of the range of skills, knowledge and understanding required to plan, prepare, facilitate and evaluate initiatives targeted at children, young people and families in informal contexts. Throughout the module you will be encouraged to consider and appreciate the scope and limitations of education within a variety of learning environments and organisations. The module explores the complexities and processes of inclusive informal pedagogy in a range of professional environments. Aspects of ethical practice and reflective practice will be explored and evaluated in relation to preventative, developmental and interventionist programmes of informal learning and education.

This practice-based module is designed to enable you to explore your professional practice working with children, young people and/or families. You have the opportunity to develop and apply knowledge and skills in your practice setting, which will develop and enhance professional formation. The module analyses principles of practice including ethical codes and competence frameworks, which aims to support you to develop your capacity to engage in informed, constructive reflection. This module aims to extend your knowledge and understanding of your role within a professional team and in promoting inclusive practice, equality and diversity. You will reflect on your own learning and intellectual development, making use of constructive feedback.

The Practitioner Research module provides you with the opportunity to design a research project. You will be introduced to the broad principles of research design, by engaging with the process of a literature review, you will develop subject knowledge pertinent to the area of inquiry. Ethical issues will be addressed, including the key principles of informed consent, anonymity and confidentiality. You will be introduced to a range of data collection methods and techniques for analysing and presenting research findings and this will be supported through lectures. You will expected to collect primary data from your fellow students within the class, and will then be guided to write up specific elements of your project for the assessments.

There will be a series of lectures based on professional studies, enabling you to understand the professional role of the teacher in more depth. You will learn about the legal framework and the larger context within which teachers work, including working with agencies, other staff in school, parents and the wider community, addressing aspects of SCSM and Part II of the Teachers’ Standards, and highlighting safeguarding issues.

This module introduces you to the planning and design of an independent study and serves as a prerequisite for the Level 6 final independent study module. It introduces you to, and guides you through planning a research question, deciding on an appropriate research method and sample group that will allow you to complete the small-scale research project in Independent Study Part 2 module. In addition, you will create a research proposal by and engage in theoretical and practical principles, as well as learning to recognise your own limitations. The module is based on ethical concepts and policies, and you will study ethical complexity in connection to your chosen research subject and show this by participating in the ethical approval process.

This module will develop your capacity for critical thinking and analysis and encourage you to form and articulate an argument which is robustly supported by relevant sources. The module will enable you to study a pertinent, critical issue within your sector. Taught content will offer examples of current, and potential future issues in the field of early childhood, childhood and youth and education. By exploring a range of issues, the teaching and learning strategy undertakes to present a model of how to select and investigate a critical issue and craft an argument that draws upon (for example) practice-based evidence, national/local statistics, published research and established theory. You will investigate the political, social and/or economic drivers behind your chosen issue and consider the implications for professional practice. These may include, for example, the contribution of multi-agency colleagues, international perspectives and the barriers and affordances of the issue within your own work setting and professional practice.

The module adopts a work-based and problem-solving pedagogy where learning is grounded in the external context of your professional practice. Assessments require application of what is being learnt to your practice context, enabling you to solve real issues from your organisations and reflect on your own work-based experience. The module provides the opportunity to focus in some depth on aspects of professional practice including leadership and management. The module content will involve the study of key aspects of professionalism such as reflective, critical and ethical practice where you will explore relevant theoretical perspectives. Legal frameworks and national standards will be examined in relation to personal competencies and leading practice within settings. Leadership and management theory will be critically evaluated. Interagency and collaborative working will be critically explored and issues of facilitating dynamic change within the sector in response to global and cultural influences will be addressed.

This module explores the historical and socio-economic contexts of childhood and youth and outlines how the changing social and cultural constructions of childhood and youth impact on lived realities in diverse and differing contexts. You will gain knowledge and understanding of the complexities surrounding alternative education and learning, the ideologies and responsibilities for welfare, and the application of these elements in the experiences that effect children’s and young peoples’ lives. The impact of policy and legislation is critically considered using in depth examination of evidence emphasising the importance of meaningful participation and questions the universalised idealisms of young people’s rights and notions of place in a globalised world.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this apprenticeship although an initial assessment will take place to ensure the apprenticeship is the most appropriate training programme for the individual and employer. Candidates will need to be resident in the UK and in employment (with at least 50% of the working hours in England). Individual employers will set the selection criteria for their Apprenticeship and employment role.

As a guide, candidates might have A Levels (or equivalent) or existing relevant level 3 qualifications. Other relevant qualifications or prior experience may also be considered as an alternative alongside consideration of the suitability of the role being undertaken and the opportunities to develop and apply the required knowledge, skills and behaviours.

Typically, candidates will also have achieved qualifications in English and mathematics at a minimum of level 2 or equivalent (GCSE grade A*/9- C/4), and also demonstrate Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills at this level. Where approved English and Maths qualifications are not held, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) funds apprentices to achieve qualifications in English and/or Maths to level 2 if they do not already meet the minimum requirements. These can be delivered through our designated Apprenticeship Support Officers alongside the apprenticeship and will need to be achieved prior to entering Gateway.

There are no upper age restrictions, although all apprentices must be aged over 18 as a minimum.

Applications for this programme can only be made through the sponsoring employer.

Each employer must:

  • Identify apprentices that may be suitable for the Youth Worker Apprenticeship;
  • Ensure the apprentice is undertaking real work, which is productive and gives apprentices opportunities to access, develop, practice and evidence knowledge and skills to meet the standard;
  • Allow the apprentice to attend external off-the-job training and assessment as part of their normal paid working hours;
  • Take part in quarterly reviews with BGU to review the apprentice’s progress;
  • Be expected to employ an apprentice for the full duration of their apprenticeship;
  • (In most cases) be expected to employ an apprentice for at least 30 hours per week.

Further information and requirements are outlined by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

Youth worker (degree) / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

Speak to us today

If you'd like to find out how we can support you in recruiting an apprentice into your business, please email us at apprenticeships@bishopg.ac.uk or call 01522 563872 for more information.

Careers & Further study

Childhood, Youth and Families apprentices work in a variety of contexts, and the degree assists them in developing their own professional practice and professional identity, with some apprentices going on to establish their own youth groups and provision for young people. A number of apprentices hold senior roles managing complex cases of vulnerable families and the degree supports their professional formation.

Through co-taught modules, apprentices get the opportunity to collaborate with experts in a variety of roles across the sector. This enhances employability since apprentices can broaden their thinking in respect to working with children and young people. Furthermore, it introduces apprentices to a variety of job opportunities that they may not have explored earlier.

What Our Students Say

Explore the vibrant and dynamic life at Bishop Grosseteste University by hearing directly from our students. In this video, they will take you on a journey through their daily routines, academic experiences, extracurricular activities, and the supportive community that defines our university.

Get an insider's look at what it means to be part of the Bishop Grosseteste family and see how our campus environment fosters both personal and academic growth.

Fees & Funding

Costs may be covered by government funding and/or your employer – employers who pay the Apprenticeship Levy will pay fees directly through the levy contribution.

Alternatively, businesses who do not pay the Levy may be able to claim 95% of the cost of tuition fees from the Government.

See further information on Apprenticeship Funding.

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