Education & Training Standards Sub-Committee (ETS)

NYA is responsible for the validation and standard-setting for qualifications in youth work in England, through our agreement with the Joint Negotiating Committee for Youth & Community Workers (JNC). Similar bodies undertake this role in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.

In England this work is led by NYA’s Education & Training Standards Sub-Committee (ETS), chaired by a member of NYA’s Board of Trustees and consisting of members from organisations with a direct role in workforce development in youth work and the wider youth work field.

NYA and ETS fulfil the following responsibilities:

• Professional validation and regular re-validation of youth work courses at degree level and above, which are recognised by JNC as professional qualifications in youth work
• Along with ETS Wales, setting the assessment standards and required content for youth work qualifications at Levels 2 and 3 (recognised by JNC as qualifications for Youth Support Worker roles)
• Producing Annual Monitoring Reports on youth work qualifications across England as part of a quality assurance process and means of identifying trends in youth work training
• Collaborating with sister bodies in other UK jurisdictions on ensuring consistent standards for qualifications, and developing and reviewing National Occupational Standards for Youth Work

In addition, NYA/ETS takes up particular issues which can benefit the development of youth work. Current projects include:

• Development of new Apprenticeship Standards at Level 6 and Level 3
• Undertaking a review of workforce development in youth work in England to inform the progress of youth work qualifications
• Working with Institute for Youth Work on establishing a ‘Register’ for youth workers to help ensure standards in the profession post-qualification

This important aspect of NYA’s work means we are regarded by Higher Education institutions as a Regulatory Body (PSRB) for youth work.