Every year hundreds of young people sign on as volunteers with Devon Youth Service. Some volunteer at their local youth centre to give something back for the years of enjoyment that they have at their centre. Others volunteer to add to develop their skills and experience which then makes them more employable in the future.
Once you are established as a volunteer you will be invited to take part in our Senior Member Training.
About the Senior Member Training Programme
The Senior Member Training Programme aims to accredit the learning of young people involved with Devon Youth Service. An internal review (Autumn 2003) of youth work in Devon identified three key ways in which young people are involved:
- Young people belonging to members’ committees, Youth Councils and Youth Parliament;
- Young people involved in action in their communities, or as active citizens;
- Young people involved as volunteers in the youth club or project.
This programme aims to accredit what you have learnt from your involvement, by providing you with training which develops your skills, and by providing you with the opportunity to reflect on your experiences and learning.
You will get feedback from the tutors during the course and have an opportunity to evaluate the course.
When the course has finished, your workbook will be presented to the Devon Youth Service Internal Moderation Panel for final approval.
Who is it for?
The progamme has been designed for young people aged 11 to 19, but predominantly 13 to 17 years, who are already linked to Devon Youth Service, and who wish to gain accreditation for their learning as a result of their involvement.
What qualification do you get?
Three Open College Network Credits, at Level One. You will receive an Open College Network certificate when your workbook has been moderated.
(NB For comparison, Introductory Youth Work Training is three credits at level 2.)
What can you do next?
There are several progression routes available to you from this programme: where you choose to go next will partly depend on your interests, time availability and age.
All young people:
- can progress to other forms of accreditation within the youth service unit, which may include: Youth Achievement Award, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Red Cross Baby Sitting Award;
- can continue, or increase, their voluntary involvement with the youth service, and the level of responsibility they have.
Young people aged 16+:
- can have their volunteering work recognised.
Young people aged 17+:
- can progress on to their Induction with Devon Youth Service in preparation for adult volunteering at 18, or possible part time employment (conditional on vacancies and successful selection).
Young people aged 18+
- who have completed their Devon Youth Service Induction can progress on to Introductory Youth Work Training OCN Course Number YT / 001 / DCCE , and possibly into Part Time Employment (conditional on vacancies and successful selection)
Click here to download Senior Member Training Young People's Workbook 2009 Update.