Community development worker

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• volunteering

University

You can become a community development worker if you have a foundation degree or degree in any subject.

You might find it useful to have a foundation degree or a degree in:

• community development
• community studies
• youth work
• social sciences

Most community development courses include work placements to help you build up your experience.

Entry requirements:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

A college course may help you apply for a trainee development worker job.

You could take a level 2 or 3 certificate in community development or a level 4 higher national certificate in social and community work.

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

If you want to help the community with health issues, you may be able to do a public health practitioner degree apprenticeship.

If you do this apprenticeship, you could work for organisations like charities, the NHS or local authorities. You'll help people in communities live long, healthy and happy lives.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Volunteering

Another way to become a community development worker is to volunteer for local projects. You'll usually receive some training. You may also get to take an introductory part time college course.

You can find opportunities working or volunteering:

• with a local community group, tenant association or charity
• in a related job in housing, regeneration, social work or youth work

Your experience and training as a volunteer could help you to find paid work. You can find volunteer opportunities on Do It and My Community .

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• customer service skills
• knowledge of psychology
• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work well with others
• leadership skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to work on your own
• business management skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• the ability to motivate and manage staff
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• thinking and reasoning skills
• maths skills
• concentration skills
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Community development workers help improve their local area.

In this role you could:

• find out about the community's needs, problems and barriers
• make sure local people take action and have their say
• find new opportunities and monitor existing projects
• help to raise public awareness about community issues
• raise funds and manage budgets
• plan meetings and events

Location : You could work in the community or in an office.

Salary:

Starter : £19,000
Experienced : £36,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 39 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends flexibly

Career Path:

With experience you could:

• specialise in a certain issue, like health, homelessness or youth work
• work with different issues and groups
• manage a team of community development works
• move into a role where you decide community policies
• work as a freelance trainer or consultant