Overview
Youth work is one of those fields where a degree alone does not convince an employer. They want to see that you have actually spent time with young people in challenging settings, built trust, managed risk, and delivered programmes that made a difference. Your resume needs to reflect that, not just list your qualification.
Callum Mbewe graduated with a BA in Youth Work from Leeds Beckett University, which is one of the JNC (Joint Negotiating Committee) validated programmes in England. He completed two extended placements, ran a weekly drop-in session at a community centre, and volunteered with a youth homelessness charity. His resume reads like someone who has been doing the work for years, not someone who just finished studying it.
What Makes This Resume Work
Placements read like real jobs. Callum describes running a 12 week programme for young people at risk of exclusion, specifying that he worked with 8 young people aged 13 to 16 and that 6 of them stayed in mainstream education. That level of detail gives a youth service manager confidence.
Safeguarding is woven throughout. Rather than just listing a certificate, Callum describes making safeguarding referrals, completing MASH forms, and attending multi-agency meetings. This shows that he understands the reality of safeguarding in youth work, not just the theory.
The voluntary work adds credibility. His time with a youth homelessness outreach project shows he has chosen to work in tough settings. This is not a candidate who will be shocked by the realities of the role.
Key Takeaways
When applying for youth work roles, describe the young people you worked with, the programmes you delivered, and what changed as a result. Name the frameworks you used, whether that is the Outcomes Star, a risk assessment model, or restorative justice. Mention your DBS, your safeguarding training, and any multi-agency work you have been involved in. Employers want to see that you can handle the practical, sometimes difficult realities of working with young people.
