Community development worker

Career path and progression

With experience you could:

• specialise in a certain issue, like health, homelessness or youth work
• work with different issues and groups
• manage a team of community development works
• move into a role where you decide community policies
• work as a freelance trainer or consultant

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• knowledge of psychology
• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work well with others
• leadership skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• knowledge of English language
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Sociology - Community development workers need to understand how communities are structured, including issues like inequality, social exclusion, and how different groups interact. Sociology provides the tools to analyse why certain communities face particular challenges and what kinds of interventions actually make a difference.
• Psychology - Community development workers use counselling skills, active listening, and a non-judgemental approach when working with people facing difficult situations. Understanding human behaviour and motivation helps them support individuals and encourage communities to take collective action.
• Politics - Community development workers engage with local government, public policy, and decision-making processes to advocate for their communities. Understanding how political systems work – from council meetings to national policy – helps them influence change and secure resources for local projects.
• English Language - Community development workers write funding bids, reports, and campaign materials, and need to communicate clearly with diverse audiences. They also run meetings, give presentations, and help community members express their views effectively to decision-makers.

Also relevant

• Business - Community development workers raise funds, manage budgets, and oversee projects – all of which require an understanding of financial planning and organisational management. Knowing how to put together a business case or funding application is a practical part of the role.
• Economics - Community development workers often tackle issues linked to poverty, unemployment, and local economic decline. Understanding economic concepts helps them assess what a community needs and make the case for investment or regeneration projects.
• Geography - Community development workers deal with issues shaped by where people live – such as housing, transport links, environmental quality, and access to services. Geography's focus on how places develop and how human and physical factors interact is directly relevant to understanding community needs.
• Religious Studies - Community development workers engage with people from many different cultural and religious backgrounds. Understanding diverse beliefs, values, and traditions helps them build trust and work sensitively with all members of a community.