Youth Worker
What is a Youth Worker and what do they do?
Youth Workers initiate, develop and maintain positive relationships with young people. They provide a range of programmes and recreational activities for young people to build relationships and connect with their families/whānau and community. Youth Workers have a range of different backgrounds and skills.
For more information on what a Youth Worker does check out the following website link:
http://www.kiwicareers.govt.nz/default.aspx?id0=103&id1=J80360
What do Child and Adolescent Mental Health and AOD Youth Workers do?
- help young people make positive choices and remain safe
- encourage activities and routines that will benefit the young person
- help them to link with and get more involved in community services/activities
- link young people with their own ethnic communities
What's great about this job?
- Youth Workers can work in a huge variety of places
- working with young people and supporting their wellbeing
- being able to think outside the square
- working in a fun environment
- making a difference to children and young people
"Being there with them (young people) each day, helping them to see their potential, helping them to see how far they can go. Just supporting them in the areas that they need support in because some of them have their dark times, so just being there to shine a bit of light on the positives in their lives, the potential they have, to help them to see how far they can go.” Palea Nofoaiga, Odyssey House Youth Community Services, Auckland
What personal qualities do you need?
A Child and Adolescent Mental Health Youth Worker needs to be:
- able to develop a good rapport with, and empower young people
- positive about working as part of a team
- willing to do training
- a good communicator
- aware of issues which affect young people
- knowledgeable of own culture and preferably language
- a positive role model
- able to ‘see the big picture’
Who could you work with?
Depending on where they work, Youth Workers can work with all ages of children and youth. An important part of being a Youth Worker is also working with families/whānau. Youth Workers often work alongside other mental health staff members as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
What kinds of places could you work in?
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Youth Workers are often based in community services. School and home visits are a large part of being a Youth Worker.
How much could you expect to earn?
Salaries vary, but most Youth Workers earn between $20,000 and $35,000+ per year. Managers who run a youth work agency may earn more than this. Many Youth Workers begin their careers as volunteers and donate their time or receive payment for expenses only.
Are there any scholarships I can apply for to help with the cost of studying?
Yes! There are a number of scholarships that you may be able to apply for. Click here for details.
For information on where you can study to become a Youth Worker, how long it takes and what you should study at school click here for the Youth Worker page on the Career Services website.
