What is the purpose of the research? The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between qualification levels and professional roles in youth work, and to evaluate how the National Youth Agency’s proposed Qualification Framework—introducing Level 4 and 5 qualifications—may influence consistency, opportunities, and challenges within youth work practice.  It is hoped to learn how different youth work providers link qualification levels to job roles and responsibilities.  We are interested if there is a relationship between current youth work roles and responsibilities and levels of qualification required, and whether these roles and responsibilities are applied consistently across the youth work profession.  We hope to identify influences, barriers and inconsistencies in roles and responsibilities with in youth work practice  We also seek to take the opportunity to explore how the introduction of level 4 and 5 qualifications by the National Youth Agency in England may create opportunities or challenges for the delivery of youth work services.

Researchers: Simon Williams (University of Derby) and Ian Jones (Nottingham Trent University)

Open until Friday 5^th June 2026

Thank you for your support

Simon and Ian