Become a YAC Young Leader

YAC Young Leaders are volunteers aged 16-17 who support their local YAC branch.

Young Leaders help run a YAC by helping to deliver activities at club sessions, support YAC members and contribute to their club’s planning. A Young Leader could be an existing member who is looking to stay involved in YAC when they are too old to stay on as a member. As a Young Leader you will acquire new skills in leadership and working with young people. Our new optional Progression Pathway will help you to log your skills and achievements and access mentoring and certificates as you progress in your role as a Young Leader.

What to expect as a YAC Young Leader

As a Young Leader, you’ll assist in designing and delivering sessions, support YAC members, and acquire new skills. As a volunteer, your goal is to learn, contribute, and grow – YAC Leaders are responsible for managing the branch and ensuring everyone’s safety, including your own.

You’ll start by observing and assisting with sessions, helping with simple tasks such as setting up activities, supporting members, or demonstrating something you’ve learned. Over time, you’ll have opportunities to plan parts of a session, lead small groups and contribute ideas.

You have the option of being mentored by an adult YAC leader; you’ll meet regularly with your Mentor to talk about your progress and goals. Your mentor will help you to identify the soft and hard skills you have acquired and record these in your Progression Pathway.

Please note that not all YAC branches are able to have Young Leaders (please read our FAQs).

YAC Young Leader Role Description

The role description provides you with lots of useful information that will help you better understand the role and what to expect when you begin the application process. It covers:

  • What does a YAC Young Leader do?
  • What will you gain by becoming a Young Leader?
  • The requirements of becoming a Young Leader
  • How to apply
Young Leader Role Description

Your Progression Pathway

As a YAC Young Leader, you’ll build skills that will help you in YAC and beyond, from communication and teamwork to leadership and problem solving. Your Progression Pathway is a simple record of your journey.

You’ll use it to:

  • Track the activities you’ve helped with
  • Reflect on what you’ve learned
  • Set new goals with your Mentor
  • Record achievements for school, college or future opportunities
  • Provide evidence for college, apprenticeships, job applications, or future volunteering

You’ll review your Progression Pathway during meetings with your mentor and complete a final review before you finish your time as a Young Leader. When you turn 18, your Progression Pathway can also support your application to become a YAC Branch Assistant or Leader. Showing the experience, commitment and skills you’ve gained as part of the YAC community.

Already a YAC member or Young Leader, or looking to join YAC for the first time?

I’m already a YAC member – how do I become a Young Leader?

The first thing to do is to let your Branch Leader know that you are interested in staying on at your YAC as a Young Leader! If they are accepting new Young Leaders, you will be invited to complete an application form. Your application will be processed by YAC HQ and reviewed by the YAC Approval Panel. Please read the YAC Young Leader Role Description for more information about the application process.

I’m already a YAC Young Leader – how does the new Pathway affect me?

First, nothing you’ve done so far is being replaced or erased. The new pathway simply provides a clearer structure for recognising the work you are already doing. Please click here to read about how the new Young Leaders Pathway can support existing Young Leaders.

Can I become a Young Leader if I’m not already part of a YAC branch?

If you are not already a YAC member, you will need to find your local YAC branch on our Find a Club page. Click on the branch page to bring up information about the branch and then contact the Branch Leader by email or telephone using the contact details provided.

If your local YAC branch is accepting new Young Leaders, you will be invited to attend a YAC session to see how the club operates from the perspective of a volunteer.  After the session, your Branch Leader will meet with you to discuss how YAC works and what being a Young Leader involves. You will be asked to complete an application form. Your application will be processed by YAC HQ and reviewed by the YAC Approval Panel. Please read the YAC Young Leader Role Description for more information about the application process.

FAQs

Do all YAC branches have Young Leaders?

No, accepting Young Leaders is optional for YAC branches.  Some clubs unfortunately are unable to have Young Leaders. This is because as under-18s Young Leaders still need to be included in the club’s adult:child ratios and not all clubs have enough adults or enough space at their venue to accommodate Young Leaders.

How long is the YAC Young Leader programme?

If you start when you turn 16, the programme runs for 24 months, with review meetings with your Branch Leader every three months and certificates awarded at fixed milestones.

 Are Young Leaders counted as volunteers?

Yes. Although they are still young people within the group (and are included in adult:child ratios to ensure that activities run safely), they take on supported volunteer responsibilities. They must always be supervised by YAC Leaders.

 How long is the application process?

 Once your YAC Leader has invited you to apply to be a Young Leader and you have completed the application form, it will usually take 6-8 weeks for your application to be approved. This is because your references will need to be received and your application will be checked by the YAC Approval Panel. YAC HQ will contact both you and your YAC leader by email to confirm when you application has been approved.

Is it only the mentor’s responsibility to support the YAC Young Leader?

No. The mentor is the main point of contact, but supporting the Young Leader is the shared responsibility of the whole YAC leadership team.

Can a Young Leader take a break during exams or busy periods?

Yes. Young Leaders can pause or reduce involvement during exam seasons or other commitments. Branch Leaders should record this in the Communication Log.

 

Do YAC Young Leaders need to have a DBS, PVG or AccessNI check?

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for England and Wales, Access Northern Ireland and the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check in Scotland are official background checks to disclose details of criminal records. Organisations such as YAC use this to determine whether volunteers are safe to work with children.

All YAC volunteers aged 18+ need a DBS, PVG or AccessNI check. However for Young Leaders (aged 16-17) this depends on where your YAC branch is based:

Scotland: Yes. YAC Young Leaders aged 16–17 must have a PVG check because their role is classed as regulated work under Scottish safeguarding legislation.

England and Wales: No. YAC Young Leaders do not require a DBS check because their role does not meet the criteria for a regulated role when supervised.

Northern Ireland: No. YAC Young Leaders do not require an AccessNI check because supervision removes the need for vetting.

 PLEASE NOTE: If you become a Young Leader at an Affiliate YAC Branch, your YAC will need to follow their organisation’s own safeguarding proceedings.

Can Young Leaders progress after the programme?

Yes. They may become a YAC Branch Assistant or Leader at 18 although please note that if your branch is in England, Wales or Northern Ireland you will need to complete an Enhanced DBS check or Access NI check. You can also apply for the Youth Advisory Board (18-25) or join the Young Associates Network (16-25).

Support for YAC Leaders

If you are a YAC Leader or Assistant Leader looking for more information and guidance on the Young Leaders Pathway, please head over to the ‘Run a club’ section of the website, which has all the information you will need: Youth Leaders Pathway – Info for YAC Leaders