Gaining experience working with children and young people

As working as an Early Years Practitioner involves encouraging learning and development through play and teaching, it will be essential to have gained experience in an appropriate setting that has enhanced skills and knowledge around literacy, language, numeracy and planning educational activities. In particular, engaging in experience that provides the opportunity to observe children to monitor their progress will be desirable.

This experience could be gained through a wide range of opportunities, including within a classroom environment, volunteering at a local playgroup or play scheme or within children’s centres.

Examples of early years-related roles that the Volunteering Team have previously advertised and recruited to include:

• Children’s Activity Support Volunteer with Gosport Discovery Centre – assisting in preparing materials for a range of engaging activities and in delivering the activity sessions with children and their families.
• Nursery Volunteer with The Roberts Centre – engaging in stream training and interacting with children through a range of play activities.
• Home Visiting Volunteer with Home-Start Portsmouth – visiting a family within their home to assist based on their needs; supporting with access to local services and/or connecting with their local community; and assisting with practical help such as playing or reading stories.

If you are looking to gain entry to further professional training then substantial youth and community work experience – either paid or voluntary – will be essential. When looking to pursue this career path most entrants will gain experience by volunteering which may enable them to gain qualifications in Youth Work Practice, offered by a range of awarding bodies.

As this particular role offers guidance and support to young people in their personal, social and educational development, you have the opportunity to engage with individuals in a variety of settings from colleges to faith-based groups; from schools to youth centres.

There is also the option to engage in the work of the Institute for Youth Work which aims to improve quality and support in youth work; promoting a range of events, courses and resources which encourage continuing professional development, alongside your degree course. There are a range of membership options available to anyone involved in youth work, even if it is in a voluntary capacity.

Examples of youth and/or community-related roles that the Volunteering Team have previously advertised and recruited to include:

• Volunteer Youth Support Worker with Motiv8 – working within a youth centre to provide engaging, fun and safe activities to young people from within and around the local community, including sports, arts, games and group work sessions, with a focus on supporting personal and social development.
• Mentoring Young People Volunteer with Hampshire County Council’s Children’s Services – meeting with a young person to deliver ongoing support agreed as part of their intervention package to divert them from becoming looked after by the Local Authority. Supporting the activity programme attended by the young person, for example attending presentations and encouraging attendance.
• PALS Volunteer with Enable Ability – encouraging young people aged 6-16 years old with physical and/or mild-moderate learning disabilities to integrated into leisure and sports activities; assisting with confidence building, providing care and support and ensuring the safety and welfare of

Roles within the health and social care sector can be varied, but most will require hands-on experience. Many undergraduate and postgraduate courses directly related to social care will include placements, offering you the opportunity to gain experience alongside a qualification. If, however, you are looking to secure a place on a social work degree or postgraduate course, for instance, you will need a substantial amount of work experience to strengthen your application. This may include, but is not limited to, paid or voluntary work in a local youth club, elderly care home or health care setting; working with a relevant third sector organisation; working in after-school clubs or with members of the community through targeted projects.

Specifically for those students undertaking a Social Work degree – either at undergraduate or Master’s level – The Prince’s Trust offer a 12-week placement programme, with the opportunity to support vulnerable young people with a range of issues and build relationships with professional youth workers. Work activities may include community projects, one-to-one sessions and supporting young people with the transition into work, education or training.

Examples of health and/or social care-related roles that the Volunteering Team have previously advertised and recruited to include:

• Advice and Advocacy Volunteer with Hampshire County Council’s Children’s Services – providing advice and advocacy for children who are permanently excluded from school, meeting with families to advise them of their rights and provide information about the exclusion process.
• Cancer Support Centre Befriender Volunteer with Wessex Cancer Trust – offering practical and emotional support to adults, teenagers and children at all stages of their cancer journey, working as part of the community team helping to make a difference to individuals and families.
• Safeguarding Officer Volunteer with Over The Wall – acting as an ambassador of the Safeguarding Policy, helping to ensure the mutual protection of children, volunteers and staff as part of a summer camp programme of activities.

Whether you’re interested in getting directly into teaching or you are looking to work with children and young people in other educational environments, such as within arts, heritage and culture, gaining direct experience in such settings will enable you to explore your options.

There is more specific information about finding school-based experience in our dedicated Teaching Career Guide, but below are some examples of education-related roles that the Volunteering Team have previously advertised and recruited for. These include:

• Reading Project Volunteer within a local primary school – each academic year the Careers and Employability Service work with a range of local primary schools to deliver the Reading Project scheme, working with school children in Years 2 to 6 to assist them with their reading and literacy skills.
• Education Support Volunteer with the National Museum of the Royal Navy – assisting with the delivery of sessions to schools, including colleges and universities, with outreach sessions within school assemblies and classroom presentations.
• School/College Volunteer Support Worker with Motiv8 – working alongside staff to deliver an alternative programme of educational activities to young people from a range of schools, focusing on teamwork and communication skills.