A new report from the National Youth Agency (NYA) highlights a critical shortage of trained youth workers, leading to missed opportunities for early intervention and prevention. Without sufficient youth work support, issues such as serious violence, poor mental health, and exploitation escalate, requiring more costly interventions later.
The 2025 Workforce Survey Report, and a review of job vacancies, underscores the urgent need for investment in sustainable, well-paid roles to attract and retain qualified professionals in the sector.
Key Findings:
- Low Pay and Unstable Jobs: A quarter (25%) of youth work jobs pay below the national living wage, with nearly a third (29%) being temporary or zero-hour contracts. The average salary of £21,084 falls far below the UK national average of £36,920.
- Decline in Qualified Practitioners: Since 2021, 4,500 practitioners have left the sector linked to funding cuts of £1.2bn. This has led to challenges for employers looking to recruit into new job roles with half (49%) of youth work job listings not requiring a formal qualification.
- Rising Demand for Support: Youth workers are increasingly dealing with issues such as serious youth violence, violence against women and girls, safeguarding, and mental health crises.