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New courses coming to ELATT this September

We're working on new courses in Hospitality & Customer Service, Early Years, and Health & Social Care — and we'd love to hear from you. Register your interest now and be the first to hear when places open.

These courses are subject to funding confirmation.

ELATT's office at Kingsland Road is closed this week. We're still accepting applications, and queries can be made by email. If you'd like to give us a call however, please call this number: 07400-187-254.

An ELATT learning support worker and two learners smiling together during a small-group class.

Free Youth Work Courses in London: Start a Career Supporting Young People

Do you enjoy helping young people grow in confidence? If so, youth work could be a great career for you. And you can start with no experience.

ELATT now offers free youth work courses in London for adults aged 19 and over. These courses are new this academic year, along with our other new free courses. You study online in small, friendly groups. You also do a work placement and gain an in-demand City & Guilds qualification that employers recognise.

Which Youth Work Course Is Right for You?

You can study youth work at two levels, so you can start where you feel most comfortable. Both courses are taught live online in small groups. You are assessed through coursework, projects and your placement. There are no formal exams.

  • Level 2 Certificate (beginner): 18 to 22 weeks, for people new to working with young people.
  • Level 3 Diploma (advanced): 27 to 34 weeks, for people ready for more responsibility.

Both courses need about 3 to 6 hours of study a week. Both include a work placement and lead to a City & Guilds qualification.

Level 2 Certificate: A Friendly First Step

The Level 2 Youth Work course is the perfect fit if you are new to working with young people, changing career or coming back to study after a break. It also works well if you already volunteer and want a qualification to show for it. You don’t need experience, you just need a real interest in supporting young people.

You will learn how to:

  • Talk and listen well, and build positive relationships with young people.
  • Keep young people safe and well (safeguarding).
  • Follow health and safety rules where you work with young people.
  • Treat everyone fairly and include everyone (equality, diversity and inclusion).
  • Support young people as they grow and learn.
  • Encourage positive behaviour.

Level 3 Diploma: Take on More Responsibility

The Level 3 Youth Work course builds on Level 2. It suits you if you have finished the Level 2 Certificate. It also suits you if you already work in a support role, or you have some experience and want to move forward.

You will learn more about:

  • How children and young people develop.
  • Keeping young people safe and supporting their wellbeing.
  • Supporting learning and development.
  • Assessing needs and planning support for each person.
  • Encouraging positive behaviour in more challenging situations.
  • Working with families and other professionals.
  • Getting ready for jobs with more responsibility, such as supervisor roles.

Not sure which level to choose? After you apply, we will do a short assessment and help you find the right starting point.

A Nationally Recognised Qualification You Can Be Proud Of

Both courses lead to a City & Guilds qualification. At Level 2, you earn the City & Guilds Certificate for the Children and Young People’s Workforce. At Level 3, you earn the City & Guilds Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce. These qualifications are recognised across the UK, and employers in childcare and education value them.

You will also learn with an award-winning provider. ELATT is a charity with more than 40 years of experience supporting Londoners. Ofsted has rated us Good overall, with Outstanding judgements across our adult learning programmes. You will be taught by experienced and caring tutors.

Youth Work Jobs You Could Do After Level 2

After the Level 2 Certificate, you can apply for entry-level roles. You will often work with guidance from a more experienced colleague. Examples include:

  • Youth Support Worker
  • Nursery Assistant
  • Childcare Support Worker
  • SEN Assistant
  • Classroom Support Assistant

With experience, an entry-level youth worker in London can earn up to £28,000 a year. You can read more about the role in the National Careers Service youth worker profile.

Employers like to see both knowledge and real experience, and your placement gives you the experience. You will also build skills that help in many careers, such as communication, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving.

Where Could Level 3 Take You?

After the Level 3 Diploma, you can apply for jobs with more responsibility, such as:

  • Nursery Practitioner
  • Teaching Assistant
  • Residential Childcare Worker
  • Learning Mentor
  • Childcare Supervisor or Room Leader

You can also carry on studying at Level 4 or 5, or go on to higher education.

Do you want to become a fully qualified youth worker? It helps to know the route. The National Careers Service says you usually need a youth work degree recognised by the National Youth Agency. If you already have a degree in another subject, you can take a postgraduate qualification instead. The Level 3 Diploma is a strong first step on this path. With experience, youth workers can earn up to £37,000 a year.

Our careers team is happy to talk through your options with you.

Support to Help You Succeed

Your course is part of ELATT’s Adult Study Programme, so you get more than lessons.

  • Live online teaching: you join tutor-led lessons, group discussions and practical activities, and you get one-to-one support from your tutor.
  • A real work placement: you use what you learn with young people. You will need a DBS check (a standard background check for people who work with young people) before you start, and we will help you with this.
  • Extra subjects: you may also study Functional Skills English, Functional Skills Maths, Professional Development or Digital Skills. We match these to you after a short skills assessment, so not everyone studies all four. You earn a recognised qualification in each subject you take.
  • Careers support: our Employability and Careers Service can help with your CV, interview practice and one-to-one guidance.
  • Wellbeing support: our Wellbeing Service runs workshops and support groups.

All of this is included at no extra cost.

Who Can Join, and Is It Really Free?

Our youth work courses are for adults aged 19 and over. You might be a good fit if you are:

  • New to youth work and curious about a career with young people.
  • Changing career and moving into education or youth support.
  • A parent, carer or volunteer who wants a qualification to show your skills.
  • Returning to learning after a break.
  • Ready to move up from a support role.

If English is not your first language, you are very welcome. You need enough English to join discussions and write your coursework.

ELATT is a charity, and our courses are free and fully funded for eligible learners. A significant part of our funding comes through the Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority’s Adult Skills Fund. To get a funded place, you will usually need to be:

  • Aged 19 or over and living in London.
  • Legally resident in the UK.
  • Out of work, earning below the London Living Wage, or in one of several priority groups (for example, if you do not yet hold a qualification at Level 2 or Level 3, are disabled, are a refugee or asylum seeker, or are aged 50 or over).

You will also need English, maths and digital skills above Entry Level 3 to join the Adult Study Programme. Not sure if you are eligible? Our team will talk you through it. You can also read our guide to how ELATT’s free courses are funded.

Ready to Start Your Youth Work Journey?

If you want to make a real difference to young people’s lives, this is a great time to start. You can read more on the Level 2 Youth Work and Level 3 Youth Work pages. Ready to begin? Apply now and an adviser will confirm your next start date.

Not sure which level is right for you? Call us on 0800 0420 184 or email hello@elatt.org.uk. One of our team will help you find your starting point.

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New courses starting February 2027: Early Years and Child Development; Youth Work; Health and Social Care.

Apply Now!