Article: Youth leadership training Article Body Barnsley Youth Service works primarily with young people aged 13-19 years, but also has some provision for 11-13 year olds and for young people with learning difficulties or disabilities from 13 years of age up to the age of 24 years. All youth workers (paid or voluntary) must undertake a full Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. Anyone wishing to undertake initial qualifying training must be already working regularly and have at least six months experience in a youth work setting with teenage young people. Training for youth workers usually takes two forms, ie in-service or operational training relating to the day to day operation of working with young people, and training for qualifications. Qualification training also has two types within the nationally recognised framework; these are Youth Support Worker qualifications (ie pre-professional/ vocational qualifications) and professional qualifications (usually university/ higher education qualifications). Barnsley MBC Youth Service currently operates two types of training for its youth workers: in-service training, which comprises short (ie one or two session) courses, for example health and safety/risk assessment, taking young people on trips and visits, safeguarding/child protection etc. initial qualifying training. This is currently a RVQ level 2 course for practising youth workers (ie those with six months experience and who are currently working regularly in a teenage youth work setting). This course is a part-taught, supervised portfolio building course, which usually takes nine to 12 months to complete. The service will be moving to a RVQ format from April 2010. BMBC Youth Service operates these types of training for its employed and volunteer youth workers, but welcomes other voluntary sector youth workers if, and/or where it has capacity. Some costs will need to be met by the requesting agency/project. Professional qualifying training courses (ie Joint Negotiating Committee for youth and community workers/JNC approved) are available in specified institutions. Links to local universities that offer JNC validated youth work courses are listed under 'useful websites' below. Further information regarding youth work training and becoming qualified can be obtained from the National Youth Agency website. Training for youth workers in the voluntary sector can also be obtained from the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services. If you are interested in becoming a youth worker, working with teenage young people in Barnsley, either in a part-time paid or volunteer capacity please contact Barnsley Youth Service. How much it costs There are currently no charges for BMBC Youth Service in-service or initial qualifying training courses for youth service staff. Professional qualification course fees are obtainable directly from the relevant university. Useful websites National Youth Agency University of Huddersfield Leeds Metropolitan University Sheffield Hallam University Open University How to contact us Area Manager Barnsley Youth Service Wombwell Centre Barnsley Road Wombwell Barnsley S73 8HT Telephone: 01226 753406 Youth Operations Manager Barnsley Youth Service Telephone: 01226 753406 Email: cypf@barnsley.gov.uk Opening hours are between 9.00am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.