Community development worker
Community development workers help improve their local area.
- Starter salary£19,000 a year
- Experienced£36,000 a year
- Typical hours37 to 39 a week
What you'll do
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.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
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
How to become a community development worker
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
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
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 .
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- pass enhanced background checks
Career path and progression
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
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.
Guides for this industry
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