Job Description

JOB TITLE:

Youth Development Worker

Fixed term 12 months

DEPARTMENT:

Youth Work

SALARY: 26,390 pro rata. 16hrs per week at 14.50 per hour

Introduction to Penicuik YMCA-YWCA

Penicuik and District YMCA/YWCA (Penicuik Y) was established in 1969 and was the first community centre in Penicuik. We are a Scottish charity providing community-based support primarily locally, widening across Midlothian. We have a particular focus on supporting children, young people, and their families.

Penicuik Y is well known, well used and has an excellent reputation for delivering services with a long tradition of youth and community work and mentoring.

Our Mission:

To transform the lives of children and young people, empowering them to create positive change in their lives and communities.

Our Values:

Penicuik YMCA-YWCA is an inclusive Christian youth organisation, open to people of all faiths and none. We seek to work with all children and young people in a non-judgemental and supportive manner. We strive to ensure that our universal community-based services are open and accessible to all at the point of delivery, and that our targeted services are offered to those who need them most.

Approachable - we are open minded and value diversity.

Inclusive - we embrace and encompass everyone.

Non-judgemental - we focus on the potential not the past.

Inspiring - we lead by example.

Empowering - we enable positive change.

Committed - we are absolutely committed to supporting our community.

CONTEXT OF THE ROLE:

To be responsible for the delivery of the Universal Youth Work Programme. The Youth Development Worker is responsible for the overall development and delivery of a programme of support and activities for children and young people. The role is to provide opportunities for children and young people which allow them to increase their confidence, improve health and wellbeing, develop positive relationships, participate in their communities, and feel more included. The Youth Development Worker will uphold the values and mission of Penicuik YMCA-YWCA and their partner organisations, in their approach to work and lead by example amongst children, young people, peers, and volunteers.

RESPONSIBLE TO:

Chief Executive Officer

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Universal Youth Work Programme

KEY CONTACTS:

Chief Executive Officer.

Scots Corner Community Centre, Ladywood Leisure Centre, Penicuik Churches Together.

Volunteers.

Board of Trustees.

Midlothian Council Children and Families and youth work staff.

BUDGET:

Responsible for managing the delivery budget for the Universal Youth Work Programme within the organisation's financial management guidelines and supporting the Chief Executive Officer to maximise draw down on relevant funding contracts.

DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES:

Foster a youth led approach, leading on the design, development, and delivery of youth work activities which support children and young people.

Co-produce with children and young people to ensure that all activities are relevant, current, and addressing the needs of those we support.

Provide leadership across the development of all youth work activities.

Establish, build, and support relationships with all youth work delivery partners.

Lead and manage the implementation of all Penicuik YMCA-YWCA and partner organisation policies and standard operating procedures in relation to Youth Work Practice.

Ensure accurate and up-to-date records, paper and electronic, as required by the CEO and partner organisations / external funding contracts and in line with Penicuik YMCA-YWCA GDPR policy.

Be committed to implementing action plans which further self-assessment and quality assurance processes.

Lead all operations & programming while delivering from multiple locations in Penicuik.

Carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by Penicuik YMCA-YWCA, including attending of training and development and youth work-oriented events.

Penicuik YMCA-YWCA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to a satisfactory PVG Scotland Disclosure and presentation of 2 satisfactory references.

Personal Specification

Essential

Skills, Aptitude, Knowledge & Experience

Experience of leading, designing, implementing, and evaluating activities for children and young people

A knowledge and understanding of youth work values and person-centred approaches.

Ability to form positive relationships with children and young people.

Excellent oral, written, communication, IT, and presentation skills.

Ability to develop partnerships with other organisations.

Good knowledge and experience of safeguarding issues and practice

Personal Qualities

Empathy for children and young people facing difficult and challenging situations.

Knowledge and understanding of, and commitment to equality of opportunity, anti-discriminatory practices, and inclusion.

Efficiency and effectiveness - the ability to plan and organise work so that outcomes and standards are met.

Empathy and a passion for working with children and young people.

Ability to be self-motivating, work under pressure, and manage time effectively, prioritising different areas of work according to need.

A commitment to working flexibly and creatively in response to changing organisational requirements.

Commitment and drive - The ability to use initiative to take forward ideas.

Ability to work as part of a team, providing peer support and feedback where necessary.

Qualifications / Training

A qualification in a related discipline is desirable though not essential, however extensive experience of working directly with children and young people in a community setting is essential.

Desirable

Project management experience.

Health & Safety & Risk Assessment experience.

Completion (or be working towards completion) of a recognised qualification in Youth Work or an associated field.

First Aid certificate

Penicuik YMCA-YWCA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to a satisfactory PVG Scotland Disclosure and presentation of 2 satisfactory references.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: 14.50 per hour

Expected hours: 16 per week

Benefits:

Company pension
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 08/09/2025
Reference ID: Penicuik YMCA-YWCAYDWAugust 2025