Youth Support Worker, Papdale House / Keelylang Centre - ORK10853

Orkney Islands Council; Kirkwall; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 35,000; Part time

Job summary

Orkney Islands Council in Kirkwall is seeking a Youth Support Worker at Papdale House / Keelylang Centre. This permanent, part-time role (17.5 hours per week) supports young people facing barriers to education, helping them to attend school and engage with learning during normal school hours.

You will design informal targeted learning opportunities, work with parents/carers, schools and partner agencies, and focus on inclusion to empower young people to regain access to education and achieve

Qualifications

• Level 2 PVG disclosure with PVG scheme membership is required.
• This is a regulated role with children.

Responsibilities

• Establish contact with and develop relationships with young people facing challenges such as difficulties engaging with education, specific learning barriers or social anxiety.
• Create informal targeted learning opportunities to meet diverse needs, helping attendance, self-esteem, life skills, resilience and positive post-school outcomes.
• Design and deliver engaging alternative learning pathways, working with parents/carers, schools and partner agencies to provide comprehensive support.
• Focus on inclusion to empower young people to regain access to education, reintegrate with their school community or collaborate with educators in council settings.

Job description

Advert

Youth Support Worker

Papdale House / Keelylang Centre

17.5 hours

Permanent

£32,743 - £35,006 pro rata

£17.94 - £19.18 per hour

The above amounts include Distant Islands Allowance.

You will be reporting to the Principal Teacher, Support for Learning and Inclusion.

Your working pattern is mornings and/or afternoons during normal school hours. We are happy to talk flexible working, where possible.

The purpose of this role is to establish contact with and develop relationships with young people who are facing challenges such as difficulties engaging with education, specific learning barriers, or social anxiety. Under the direction and reporting directly to the Principal Teacher (Support for Learning and Inclusion), the Youth Worker is a key part of the Support for Learning and Inclusion Team and tasked with making a meaningful impact on the lives and education of young people.

As part of the team, you will create informal targeted learning opportunities to meet the diverse needs of young people, helping them to attend school and engage with education, build self-esteem and confidence, develop life skills and resilience, articulate their perspective, and achieve positive post-school outcomes

In this role, you will help design and deliver engaging alternative learning pathways, working collaboratively with parents/carers, schools, and partner agencies to provide comprehensive support. Focussing on inclusion, your work will empower young people and enable them to regain access to education, either by supporting them to reintegrate with their school community or supporting them to work with teachers and educators in other council settings.

The necessary qualification, experience and skills required for this role are detailed in the must have' section of the attached job profile. These criteria are used for decisions on shortlisting and appointment of applicants.

This post is a regulated role with children and requires Level 2 Disclosure with PVG scheme membership.

Applications close at 23.59 on Sunday 25 October 2026, with shortlisting taking place week beginning 26 October 2026. Interviews are scheduled for 12 November 2026.

For a discussion about the role, contact Dr Simon Hall at [e-mail] or on 01856873535, ext. 2476.

Orkney Islands Council is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of age, gender, race or ethnicity, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity status or gender reassignment status.