The Youth Worker Register, created by NYA, is a new database for professionally qualified youth workers.
It is free to join and is a place where you can keep a record of your ongoing learning and continuous professional development.
About the Youth Worker Register
The Youth Worker Register, created by NYA, is a new database for professionally qualified youth workers. It is free to join and is a place where you can keep a record of your ongoing learning and continuous professional development.
The Youth Worker Register is currently open to youth workers who have completed or are currently studying on a degree validated by the NYA. You can check the Historic List to see if your qualification is endorsed by the NYA as conferring professionally qualified youth worker status recognised by the Joint Negotiating Committee for Youth and Community Workers (JNC).
Through the Mutual Recognition scheme with the Joint Education and Training Standards Committee, professionally recognised degrees from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will be accepted.
The Youth Worker Register will soon be open to qualified Youth Support Workers. Keep an eye on the NYA’s socials for the announcement.
What are the benefits to joining the Youth Worker Register?
- Joining the Youth Worker Register demonstrates your commitment to high quality practice and provides you with a layer of credibility
- It provides a useful reference point for prospective employers
- You’re helping to build recognition among allied sectors of the professional skills and competencies of youth workers
Plus, through the Youth Work One platform, you can connect to other youth workers on the forums and see a range of events and training opportunities.
What do I need to join the Youth Worker Register?
You will need an image of your degree certificate and details of when and where you studied to gain your professional qualification. If you are a student, your offer letter can be accepted. Check our list of recognised historic and current courses here.
You will need proof of having completed a DBS check. If you are on the Update Service you can enter your certificate number, if not, you will need to upload an image of the DBS certificate (issued within the last three years).
You will also need to name two referees (and provide their contact email address) who can approve your application.
Anything else?
To keep your membership active each year you will need to record two pieces of learning and continuous professional development.
Ready to join the Youth Worker Register?
Head over to Youth Work One, create an account and select the Youth Worker Register icon to start your application.
Got a question?
For anything else, please contact our team at youthworkerregister@nya.org.uk.
FAQs
I studied some time ago, is my qualification still recognised?
The National Youth Agency holds a list of all courses and programmes in England that have previously conferred professionally qualified status for youth workers. Pre-2010 professionally qualified status happened at DipHE (Level 5) and if you qualified on one of these programmes you are still a professionally qualified youth worker.
Please check the list below for your qualification. The easiest way to do this is by using the search function and entering the name of where you studied. If you can’t find your qualification on this list, please do contact us.
You can see the full list here.
There are a small number of other qualifications which confer qualified youth worker status.
- People who gained the status of qualified teacher by 31 December 1988 are recognised as qualified to hold professional youth work posts.
- Those who gained a social science degree between 1974 and 1981 will be recognised as qualified subject to supervision and satisfactory performance in the work place for a period of one year, which has been formally signed off.
If you have any queries please contact us.
I completed my qualification outside of England, is it valid here?
The National Youth Agency operates a Mutual Recognition scheme in conjunction with the Joint Education and Training Standards Committee for holders of qualifications obtained through the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.
Through the Mutual Recognition scheme your NYA endorsed qualification is recognised in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. Plus, if you gained your qualification in one of these countries, it will be recognised in England through the Mutual Recognition scheme.
If you studied outside of the countries listed above your degree does not confirm status as a professionally qualified youth worker in England. Gaining an ENIC statement does not confirm professional status.
What is a professionally qualified youth worker?
In England, a professionally qualified youth worker is an individual who has attained a degree validated by the NYA. A validated degree must meet the Professional Validation Requirements set by the NYA and be approved through a validation panel by the NYA’s Education and Training Standards Committee.
