Youth Development Worker

South Wishaw Parish Church; Wishaw; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A community church in Scotland seeks a dedicated youth worker to lead youth programs and engage with young people and families. Responsibilities include overseeing church activities, pastoral care, and ensuring compliance with policies. The ideal candidate will have experience working with children/young people and strong communication skills. You will actively participate in church events and community initiatives, driving engagement and providing support for youth development.

Qualifications

• Committed Christian with a live church connection.
• Experience of engaging with young people and their families.
• Ability to manage multiple projects to completion.
• Ability to create engaging reports and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Lead Youth Church activities and build on existing frameworks.
• Provide pastoral care and support to young people.
• Engage with community organizations and schools.
• Ensure compliance with church policies and procedures.

Skills

Experience of working with children

Excellent interpersonal skills

Project management experience

Strong communication skills

Ability to work unsupervised

Education

Degree qualification in a relevant discipline

Job description

Main duties

• Attend two Sunday Evening Services monthly, participating in the worship before taking the youth out for planned Youth Church activities.
• Build on existing Youth Church foundations, leading initiatives like the Deeper & Deeper Youth Fellowship and attendance at Christian Festivals, while developing new approaches and initiatives to other engagement opportunities.
• Build on existing links with local schools, undertaking agreed projects where required and share in chaplaincy work.
• Engage with the Youth Planning Group, Community organisations and, Church organisations such as Toddler groups and the Social & Events team.
• Provide and develop opportunities for young people to engage in exploring the Christian faith, and provide pastoral care and support for young people in a condential, caring, and nonjudgemental manner.
• Make use of current Church technology and further help to develop its use to provide a digital ministry.
• Extend work with young people through support and encouragement of volunteers whilst enabling further development and work with a team of youth volunteers.
• Create and maintain links with the Youth Churches in our local area and Presbytery so that the young people will have a wider group experience.

General Duties

• Meet with and report to the Minister for line management and prayer and undertake such other relevant duties from time to time as may be agreed with the Line Manager.
• Attend other meetings as required.
• Use various communication channels for the youth development work in an appropriate manner.
• Work within the church Safeguarding policies to ensure standards are of the highest level and to ensure the proper recruitment of volunteers for project work.
• Ensure that all activities, events, and programmes comply with Church of Scotland policies and procedures. Adhere to all relevant health and safety requirements and ensuring that a risk assessment is carried out for all activities undertaken.
• Attend relevant training as required for legislative or developmental purposes to ensure that good working practices and knowledge are maintained.
• Provide input and support to the Session Clerk and Youth Elder and assist with preparation of reports to Kirk Session on issues regarding the integration of youth work in the wider church.

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Committed Christian with a live church connection (this is a Genuine Occupational Requirement in terms of the Equality Act 2010).
• Experience of working with children, young people and their families.
• A passion for working with young people, an awareness of current issues affecting young people and gift for communicating with them in a relevant way.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in working with a wide range of people including church volunteers, schools, local leaders and other Christian workers.
• Experience of starting projects and delivering to completion.
• Excellent time and priority management skills.
• Ability to produce meaningful reports and presentations.
• Ability to work unsupervised and manage own work performance effectively.

Desirable

• A degree qualification or equivalent in a relevant discipline.

Additional Information

Membership of Disclosure Scotland PVG Scheme will be required.

It is essential you have the right to work in the UK before applying to work for us. You will be asked to provide proof of your eligibility to work and remain in the UK if you are invited to attend for an interview.

In order to comply with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, the successful applicant will be asked to provide document(s) confirming their eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.

An employment medical check will be undertaken as part of our recruitment process.

How to apply

Applications should comprise:

• A personal statement, outlining how your skills, experiences and personal qualities match the requirements of the role outlined in the job description. Please include names and email addresses of two referees, who will not be contacted until later in the process.
• A full C.V, including educational and professional qualifications alongside a full employment history showing positions held, responsibilities and relevant achievements.
• A personal information form to be attached.
• Applications without a CV, personal statement and personal information form will not be taken forward in the process. Each document should be a maximum of 2 sides of A4.

Applications should be sent by email to [e-mail] and must be received by 12 noon on the closing date: Friday 26th December 2025.