KILMARNOCK YMCA – Job Description
Position: Youth Worker
Responsible to: Service Delivery Manager
Location: Kilmarnock YMCA, 40 Soulis Street, Kilmarnock, KA3 1AP - with outreach work across East Ayrshire
Hours: Part-Time (12 hours per week)
Salary: £8,174 pro rata (Equivalent Annual Salary £23,842)
Contract: Fixed Term 10/8/2026-09/08/2027. This is a grant funded position.
Kilmarnock YMCA is a community-based charity dedicated to empowering children, young people, adults, and families, promoting wellbeing, and building stronger communities throughout East Ayrshire. We run a range of programmes, including our new ESports Hub, Climate Action project, youth activities, Homework and Hot Meal Club, Men’s Shed and health and wellbeing projects.
We are now seeking a motivated and organised Youth Worker with experience in youth engagement, excellent communication skills, and a passion for climate action, who can demonstrate strong organisational abilities and the capacity to work effectively as part of a team.
All youth work sessions delivered by Kilmarnock YMCA should be intentionally developmental and align with Scottish youth work principles.
Therefore, our Youth workers are expected to plan and deliver sessions that incorporate clear developmental opportunities and outcomes for young people through voluntary participation, relationship-based practice and informal education. Sessions should promote learning, wellbeing, confidence, independence, decision-making, social and life skills, positive relationships, active participation and the development of young people's voice, helping them to broaden their experiences and achieve personal and social development outcomes.
This expectation should underpin all planning, delivery and evaluation of youth work practice and ensure that activities are not solely recreational but contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of every young person engaged with the service.
The postholder will contribute to Kilmarnock YMCA's mission of enabling young people and communities to belong, contribute and thrive.
1. Youth Work Practice
- Plan and deliver high-quality youth work sessions that have clear developmental aims and outcomes.
- Build positive, professional relationships with young people based on trust, respect and consistency.
- Facilitate activities and discussions that promote learning, wellbeing, confidence, resilience and personal growth.
- Encourage young people to participate voluntarily and actively influence the planning and delivery of programmes.
- Support young people to develop communication, teamwork, leadership and decision-making skills.
- Promote inclusion and equality of opportunity for all young people.
2. Session Planning and Evaluation
- Produce session plans that identify developmental objectives and intended outcomes.
- Adapt activities to meet the differing needs and abilities of participants.
- Evaluate sessions and record evidence of young people's progress and achievements.
- Gather feedback from young people to inform future planning.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of youth work provision.
3. Safeguarding and Wellbeing
- Promote the safety and wellbeing of all young people.
- Recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns in accordance with YMCA policies and procedures.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
- Support young people experiencing challenges by listening, signposting and working with colleagues and partner agencies where appropriate.
- Contribute to creating a nurturing, trauma-informed and psychologically safe environment.
4. Participation and Youth Voice
- Encourage young people to express their opinions and influence decisions affecting them.
- Support youth-led projects, volunteering and leadership opportunities.
- Foster a culture of respect, inclusion and active citizenship.
- Promote participation in community initiatives and wider YMCA activities.
5. Partnership Working
- Develop positive relationships with families, schools, community organisations and partner agencies where appropriate.
- Represent Kilmarnock YMCA professionally within the local community.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues and volunteers to deliver high-quality services.
6. Monitoring and Administration
- Maintain accurate attendance records and session evaluations.
- Complete incident reports and safeguarding records where required.
- Contribute to monitoring information and outcome reporting for funders and stakeholders.
- Ensure confidentiality and compliance with data protection requirements.
7. Health & Safety
- Ensure activities are delivered safely and in accordance with organisational policies.
- Undertake dynamic risk assessments during sessions.
- Report accidents, hazards and concerns promptly.
- Promote a culture of shared responsibility for health and safety.
8. General Responsibilities
- Uphold the values and ethos of Kilmarnock YMCA.
- Participate in supervision, team meetings and training.
- Engage in reflective practice and continuous professional development.
- Support organisational events and activities as required.
- Undertake any other duties appropriate to the post.
- Core Competencies
The Youth Worker will demonstrate the ability to:
- Build meaningful, respectful relationships with young people.
- Deliver youth work that is voluntary, developmental and based on informal education.
- Create safe, welcoming and inclusive environments.
- Empower young people to develop confidence, resilience and independence.
- Promote participation, youth voice and active citizenship.
- Reflect on practice and continually improve delivery.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues and community partners.
- Maintain high standards of professionalism and safeguarding practice.
- Benefits
- Supportive team environment
- Training and professional development opportunities
- Opportunities to shape new youth programmes, including innovative projects like the E-Sports Hub
- Making a meaningful difference in the lives of local young people
- Person Specification
Essential Knowledge and Experience
- Experience of working with children and young people in a youth work, community, education or related setting.
- Understanding of the principles and values of youth work in Scotland.
- Ability to build positive and trusting relationships with young people.
- Experience of planning and delivering engaging group activities.
- Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Good organisational and record-keeping skills.
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Desirable
- Qualification in Youth Work, Community Learning and Development, Community Education or a related field (or willingness to work towards one).
- Experience of working with vulnerable or disadvantaged young people.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed practice and adverse childhood experiences.
- Experience of monitoring outcomes and evidencing impact for funded programmes.
- Experience of supporting volunteers or peer leaders.
- Current First Aid qualification.
- Full UK driving licence and access to transport.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: £13.10 per hour
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
Work Location: In person
