Grow our own: Staff and volunteer pathway - Dumfries and Galloway Council CLD

Published 22/10/2024.  Last updated 06/11/2024

Dumfries and Galloway Council covers over 3,900 square miles, with a population of 148,800 which is predicted to decline. The population is dispersed across a rural area with a coastline that extends from Loch Ryan to the Cumbrian coast. It is the third largest council by area in Scotland. The Youth Work Service (YWS) is an integral part of the council's Communities Directorate. Its tiered structure supports a ‘grow our own model’ of progression for volunteers and youth work practitioners.

The improvement issue

As a rural local authority, senior leaders found it challenging to recruit professional qualified staff into youth work. Over several years, they had very few applicants for recruitment campaigns and rarely had applicants from outside the local authority area.

What Dumfries and Galloway Council did

In response to difficulties in the recruitment of qualified staff, the authority took a ‘Grow Your Own’ approach. They had significant number of young volunteers and adult volunteers who wanted to be involved in youth work. Council staff worked alongside volunteers to develop a careers pathway. For those who wanted to progress to paid employment, they began with volunteering and progressed to a role within the local authority service.

Staff developed a range of projects with the council’s Employability & Skills Services. This helped young people join the service through paid placements and apprenticeships. These gave them valuable experience and relevant qualifications that were delivered in-house.

Across the entire service, young people and adults are supported to undertake training and access opportunities that develop their skills for learning and life. Where appropriate, this includes becoming involved in informal and formal volunteer opportunities in local communities.

Within the service, the council has adapted its staffing structure to ensure that there are opportunities for progression. This includes an entry route for volunteers who can progress through the routes available, up to service manager level.

The chart below sets out the pathway for volunteers and staff and the minimum qualification required to undertake each role.

Pathway for volunteers and staff

Stage

Job Title

Pay Band

Responsibilities

Minimum Qualification Required

14

Service Manager

Band 14

Responsible for overall service.

Qualified to degree level or equivalent in community learning and development (CLD) or youth work

13

Team Leader

Band 12

Responsible for the operational support to the service, relevant to the direct delivery of youth work opportunities across locality areas and youth information projects.

Qualified to degree level or equivalent in CLD or youth work

12

Senior Youth Development Officer

Band 10

Responsible for the strategic support to the service relevant to Health and Safety, Children’s Services, including Corporate Parenting, Children’s Rights and Wider Achievement.

Qualified to degree level or equivalent in CLD or youth work

11

Youth Development Worker

Band 8 (unqualified)

Band 9 (qualified)

Every locality is led by a Youth Development Worker (YDW) and a Youth Issues Support Worker (YISW). The YDW is responsible for the oversight, development and programming of their area. In addition, there are project-specific YDWs responsible for regional coordination and oversight.

Relevant professional qualification to degree level or equivalent in CLD, youth work or willingness to work towards

10

Wider Achievement Worker

Band 8

Regional post responsible for the coordination of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, wider achievement framework and youth democracy.

Scottish Credit Qualification Framework (SCQF) Level eight (Higher National Diploma Level) or equivalent in CLD or youth work

9

Youth Issues Support Worker

Band 7

Every locality is led by a YDW and a YISW. The YISW is responsible for the delivery of community-based groups and wider achievement work in school settings.

Educated to SCQF Level 6 or equivalent in youth work

8

Project Assistant

Band 7

Posts with a specific remit to support the delivery of the youth information in schools project and wider events-based youth work, including Youth Beatz Festival.

Educated to SCQF Level 6 or equivalent in youth work

7

Youth Information Worker

Band 7

Youth Information Worker can be community or school-based and are required to undertake specialist training to provide low-level mental health support for young people.

Educated to SCQF Level six (e.g. National Certificate/Higher) or equivalent. All staff supported to achieve COSCA Counselling Skills certificate

6

Youth Worker

Band 6

We recruit youth workers on a contracted and casual basis to support and lead year-round and seasonal programmes. All four locality areas have a team of youth workers who support the delivery of face-to-face youth work.

Personal Development Award in Youth Work (staff supported to undertake as part of their employment)

5

Youth Activity Worker

Band 2

This is an entry level position that we recruit to on a contracted and casual basis to support year-round and seasonal programme delivery.

Requirement to attend all mandatory professional development training.

4

Modern Apprentice

National minimum wage

Two-to-three-year programmes during which, apprentices are supported to achieve their Scottish Vocational Qualifications in youth work (level six or seven).

Training programmes for trainees and apprentices are delivered weekly throughout their employment.

N/A

3

Trainee

Living wage

Six months to one-year programme, during which time trainees can access training and qualifications whilst also gaining practical experience of delivering provision in a broad range of youth work settings (through schools, communities, events, outreach).

Previous traineeships have ringfenced recruitment through the Employability and Skills Service and targeted at engaging with people seeking employment after periods of unemployment (kickstarter, placement plus).

Training programmes for trainees and apprentices have been delivered weekly throughout their employment.

N/A

2

Volunteer

N/A

Young leaders, adult volunteer programmes – accredited and non-accredited opportunities for young people and adults to support the delivery of youth work opportunities locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

N/A

1

Young leader

N/A

Young leaders, adult volunteer programmes – accredited and non-accredited opportunities for young people and adults to support the delivery of youth work opportunities locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

N/A

What the sustained impact has been

There are several cases over the last 15 years where volunteers and young people have progressed through the structure set out in the above chart. Increasing numbers of people begin as a young person, or as an adult volunteer within the service. Many have progressed from part-time and casual contracts to secure full-time employment. Through undertaking the relevant professional qualification and training, some participants have progressed even further in their chosen careers, for example into other positions within the wider team.

On an annual basis, all staff are required to undertake two development day training events, which are relevant to the youth work sector in Dumfries and Galloway. Staff and volunteers who support youth work delivery are expected to participate in regular training and development opportunities that are proportionate to their contract of employment. Staff are also given regular opportunities to engage across the service and undertake short-term projects to broaden their experiences.

The service is proud of its approach to training and development. They recognise that it brings about diversity of experience in staff teams. The long-term impact of these opportunities has directly improved the quality of youth work delivery in Dumfries and Galloway. There is an increased morale amongst staff teams and a shared understanding of their collective purpose and vision for the service.

The Impact of Community Based Universal Youth Work in Dumfries and Galloway report provides access to research, including quotes and stories of young people who have accessed youth work services, and progressed through volunteering roles to paid staff roles.
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Grow our own: Staff and volunteer pathway - Dumfries and Galloway Council CLD

Published 22/10/2024.  Last updated 06/11/2024

Dumfries and Galloway Council covers over 3,900 square miles, with a population of 148,800 which is predicted to decline. The population is dispersed across a rural area with a coastline that extends from Loch Ryan to the Cumbrian coast. It is the third largest council by area in Scotland. The Youth Work Service (YWS) is an integral part of the council's Communities Directorate. Its tiered structure supports a ‘grow our own model’ of progression for volunteers and youth work practitioners.

The improvement issue

As a rural local authority, senior leaders found it challenging to recruit professional qualified staff into youth work. Over several years, they had very few applicants for recruitment campaigns and rarely had applicants from outside the local authority area.

What Dumfries and Galloway Council did

In response to difficulties in the recruitment of qualified staff, the authority took a ‘Grow Your Own’ approach. They had significant number of young volunteers and adult volunteers who wanted to be involved in youth work. Council staff worked alongside volunteers to develop a careers pathway. For those who wanted to progress to paid employment, they began with volunteering and progressed to a role within the local authority service.

Staff developed a range of projects with the council’s Employability & Skills Services. This helped young people join the service through paid placements and apprenticeships. These gave them valuable experience and relevant qualifications that were delivered in-house.

Across the entire service, young people and adults are supported to undertake training and access opportunities that develop their skills for learning and life. Where appropriate, this includes becoming involved in informal and formal volunteer opportunities in local communities.

Within the service, the council has adapted its staffing structure to ensure that there are opportunities for progression. This includes an entry route for volunteers who can progress through the routes available, up to service manager level.

The chart below sets out the pathway for volunteers and staff and the minimum qualification required to undertake each role.

Pathway for volunteers and staff

Stage

Job Title

Pay Band

Responsibilities

Minimum Qualification Required

14

Service Manager

Band 14

Responsible for overall service.

Qualified to degree level or equivalent in community learning and development (CLD) or youth work

13

Team Leader

Band 12

Responsible for the operational support to the service, relevant to the direct delivery of youth work opportunities across locality areas and youth information projects.

Qualified to degree level or equivalent in CLD or youth work

12

Senior Youth Development Officer

Band 10

Responsible for the strategic support to the service relevant to Health and Safety, Children’s Services, including Corporate Parenting, Children’s Rights and Wider Achievement.

Qualified to degree level or equivalent in CLD or youth work

11

Youth Development Worker

Band 8 (unqualified)

Band 9 (qualified)

Every locality is led by a Youth Development Worker (YDW) and a Youth Issues Support Worker (YISW). The YDW is responsible for the oversight, development and programming of their area. In addition, there are project-specific YDWs responsible for regional coordination and oversight.

Relevant professional qualification to degree level or equivalent in CLD, youth work or willingness to work towards

10

Wider Achievement Worker

Band 8

Regional post responsible for the coordination of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, wider achievement framework and youth democracy.

Scottish Credit Qualification Framework (SCQF) Level eight (Higher National Diploma Level) or equivalent in CLD or youth work

9

Youth Issues Support Worker

Band 7

Every locality is led by a YDW and a YISW. The YISW is responsible for the delivery of community-based groups and wider achievement work in school settings.

Educated to SCQF Level 6 or equivalent in youth work

8

Project Assistant

Band 7

Posts with a specific remit to support the delivery of the youth information in schools project and wider events-based youth work, including Youth Beatz Festival.

Educated to SCQF Level 6 or equivalent in youth work

7

Youth Information Worker

Band 7

Youth Information Worker can be community or school-based and are required to undertake specialist training to provide low-level mental health support for young people.

Educated to SCQF Level six (e.g. National Certificate/Higher) or equivalent. All staff supported to achieve COSCA Counselling Skills certificate

6

Youth Worker

Band 6

We recruit youth workers on a contracted and casual basis to support and lead year-round and seasonal programmes. All four locality areas have a team of youth workers who support the delivery of face-to-face youth work.

Personal Development Award in Youth Work (staff supported to undertake as part of their employment)

5

Youth Activity Worker

Band 2

This is an entry level position that we recruit to on a contracted and casual basis to support year-round and seasonal programme delivery.

Requirement to attend all mandatory professional development training.

4

Modern Apprentice

National minimum wage

Two-to-three-year programmes during which, apprentices are supported to achieve their Scottish Vocational Qualifications in youth work (level six or seven).

Training programmes for trainees and apprentices are delivered weekly throughout their employment.

N/A

3

Trainee

Living wage

Six months to one-year programme, during which time trainees can access training and qualifications whilst also gaining practical experience of delivering provision in a broad range of youth work settings (through schools, communities, events, outreach).

Previous traineeships have ringfenced recruitment through the Employability and Skills Service and targeted at engaging with people seeking employment after periods of unemployment (kickstarter, placement plus).

Training programmes for trainees and apprentices have been delivered weekly throughout their employment.

N/A

2

Volunteer

N/A

Young leaders, adult volunteer programmes – accredited and non-accredited opportunities for young people and adults to support the delivery of youth work opportunities locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

N/A

1

Young leader

N/A

Young leaders, adult volunteer programmes – accredited and non-accredited opportunities for young people and adults to support the delivery of youth work opportunities locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

N/A

What the sustained impact has been

There are several cases over the last 15 years where volunteers and young people have progressed through the structure set out in the above chart. Increasing numbers of people begin as a young person, or as an adult volunteer within the service. Many have progressed from part-time and casual contracts to secure full-time employment. Through undertaking the relevant professional qualification and training, some participants have progressed even further in their chosen careers, for example into other positions within the wider team.

On an annual basis, all staff are required to undertake two development day training events, which are relevant to the youth work sector in Dumfries and Galloway. Staff and volunteers who support youth work delivery are expected to participate in regular training and development opportunities that are proportionate to their contract of employment. Staff are also given regular opportunities to engage across the service and undertake short-term projects to broaden their experiences.

The service is proud of its approach to training and development. They recognise that it brings about diversity of experience in staff teams. The long-term impact of these opportunities has directly improved the quality of youth work delivery in Dumfries and Galloway. There is an increased morale amongst staff teams and a shared understanding of their collective purpose and vision for the service.

The Impact of Community Based Universal Youth Work in Dumfries and Galloway report provides access to research, including quotes and stories of young people who have accessed youth work services, and progressed through volunteering roles to paid staff roles.
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Related content

Inspection reports for Community Learning And Development in Dumfries and Galloway Council