This month, we invited our Workers to contribute to our blog post! They shared why they chose their current roles, the challenges they’ve encountered, and the advice they would offer their younger selves—or anyone thinking of joining the sector. Thank you to those who responded – we will post further updates in the coming weeks and months with invaluable advice and words of wisdom. 🙏
I had a tricky childhood myself, one marked by instability and uncertainty. Growing up, I often found myself craving the guidance, support, and safety that many of my peers seemed to take for granted. It was this personal experience that ultimately drove me to help other young people facing similar challenges. I enrolled in a Diploma in Youth Work, determined to channel my empathy and resilience into a profession that could make a real difference.
Working in Residential Care
Today, I’m employed in a residential care setting, where I work with young people who, for various reasons, cannot live with their families. Residential care is a communal environment, meaning the Young People (YP) reside together under the supervision of a professional team. While it can be intense, especially given the complex needs and histories of the YP, it’s also incredibly rewarding to witness their progress—no matter how small.
The Challenges and Rewards
My own childhood experiences allow me to empathise deeply with each young person. However, this same empathy can sometimes make the work emotionally taxing. Many of the residents have experienced trauma that can manifest in challenging behavior. Yet, the sense of fulfillment I feel when someone learns to manage their emotions or begins to trust adults again is beyond compare. Each milestone, be it re-engagement with education or a positive shift in attitude, feels like a genuine victory.
Advice for Aspiring Youth Workers
- Leverage Your Story: If you have personal experience of hardship, it can become your greatest strength. Show empathy, but remember to maintain professional boundaries for your own well-being.
- Focus on Practical Skills: A Diploma in Youth Work equips you with valuable knowledge, but nothing compares to hands-on experience. Seek out volunteering opportunities and placements—every real-life encounter helps you grow.
- Look After Yourself: Working with young people who have been through trauma can be intense. Regular supervision, debriefing with colleagues, and self-care rituals can help you stay grounded.
- Celebrate the Small Moments: Progress in residential care is often gradual. Recognising and celebrating small wins—like a young person opening up about their feelings—keeps both them and you motivated.
I’m grateful to Be Recruitment for placing me in this role, which perfectly aligns with my passion to uplift young people in Out of Home Care and gives me the flexibility of further study. Reflecting on my own journey, I can see how my early struggles shaped me into the Youth Worker I am today, committed to making sure no young person ever feels alone or overlooked but how on-going training and development has really helped me manage those situations through a trauma-informed lense.
If you would like more information about jobs in Youth Work, jobs in Disability Support Work or jobs in Mental Health Support Work please reach out to [email protected] and the team would be happy to talk further.
