Career Suggestion

Community development worker

Community development workers help improve their local area.

Average salary (a year)

£19000.0 to £36000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

37.0 to 39.0 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends flexibly

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

You'll usually need:

  • at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
  • university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

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

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

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

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

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 .

More Information

Career Tips

It's important to have experience that shows you're interested in community work.

Many people have experience in other jobs before they become a community development worker. This means you may have an advantage if you've previously worked in areas like teaching, youth work or healthcare.

Further Information

You can get more details about working in community development from locality .

You can look for job opportunities on sites like:

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • 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
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

Day-to-day tasks

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

Working environment

You could work in the community or in an office.

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

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