Community Development Worker

Community development workers help people to improve the quality of life in their local area.

Typical Salary

£16,000 To £36,000

Typical Hours

37 to 39 a week
evenings / weekends flexibly

How To Become a Community Development Worker

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering

College / University

You could start by taking a foundation degree or degree in community development, community studies, youth work or social sciences.

  • at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • You could take a college course, which may be useful when applying for a trainee development worker job. Courses include:

    • Level 2 and 3 Certificate in Community Development
    • Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Social and Community Work

    Apprenticeship

    If you want to specialise in helping the community with health and wellbeing issues, you may be able to do a public health practitioner degree apprenticeship.

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

    Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

    Other Routes

    Other Routes are not listed for this job.

    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

    Day To Day Tasks

    Your day-to-day duties might include:

    • finding out about the community's needs, problems and barriers
    • making sure local people take action and have their say
    • developing new opportunities and monitoring existing projects
    • helping to raise public awareness about community issues
    • building links with other groups and agencies
    • raising funds
    • recruiting and training staff and volunteers
    • planning meetings and events
    • managing budgets
    • helping groups to settle differences of opinion on local issues
    • doing administrative work

    Working Environment

    You could work in the community or in an office.

    Career Path & Progression

    Career Path & Progression are not listed for this job.

    Volunteering Opportunities

    A common way in to this job is to volunteer for local projects. You'll usually receive some training on the job. You may also get the chance to take an introductory part-time college course in community work.

    You'll need practical experience of working in the community. You can get this by:

    • volunteering with a local community group, tenants' association or charity
    • working in a related career like housing, regeneration, social work or youth work

    Your experience and training as a volunteer could help you to find paid work.

    You can find local opportunities through Do-it and My Community.

    Tips & Information

    Further information

    You can get more details about working in community development from your local council and locality.

    Restrictions & Requirements

    You'll need to:

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