Job Description

Job Summary:

At St. Peter's our vision is for each person to experience whole life discipleship. This is an exciting and fulfilling opportunity to further our offer to the young people of St. Peters, beyond childhood, into their teenage years and beyond in developing their path with God.

We are looking for someone with a passion for working with and nurturing young people, excellent communication skills and a good record in leadership.

Duties of the post

St Peter's is blessed with many children attending and flourishing in our children's groups throughout the week. We have a limited offer for our youth congregation and it is a priority for us to address this. This is a critical role to encourage our youth at St Peters to follow Jesus through their formative years, equipping them to continue their faith journey into adulthood. This role is important to St Peter's church as it is leading and inspiring the church of the future.

The focus of this role is to develop and implement engaging programs for youth within the church community, while providing an important link between our whole church ministry and children's offer. The focus will be on spiritual growth, personal development, and fostering a sense of community among the young members of the congregation. The role involves working closely with families, volunteers, and church leadership to create a welcoming and supportive environment for our young people.

You will inspire our already thriving volunteer community through training, empowerment and encouragement to minister, particularly to our youth congregation. You will also provide practical support to the day-to-day running and co-ordination of our children and youth groups. You will be well versed in safeguarding, ensuring we deliver a safe space for our young people to explore their faith.

The role will be focused on youth (12-18) whilst also providing assistance and guidance to children's (3-11) groups leaders (approx. 20%).

Responsibilities

1.

- Working with volunteers to design, plan, and lead age-appropriate activities, events, and programs for children and youth, including Sunday school, youth groups, and holiday events.

- Integrate biblical teachings into all programs and activities in a relatable and engaging manner

- Work with current groups to strengthen existing groups for those under 14

- Develop programme for those beyond "pathfinders" to encourage and guide faith and engagement.

2.

- Provide pastoral care and spiritual support to children and youth, fostering their faith development and understanding of Christian values.

- Encourage participation in church services, sacraments, and community outreach initiatives.

- Commitment to engagement in personal prayer life, worship, spiritual development and enrichment for on-going journey of faith

3.

- Build positive relationships with children, youth, and their families, creating a welcoming atmosphere within the church community.

- Organise outreach programs to engage with the wider community and attract new families to the church.

- Foster a mindset of belonging to the whole church community, whilst not always worshiping alongside the rest of the congregation.

4.

- Recruit, train, and support volunteers to assist in the delivery of children and youth programs.

- Foster a team approach, encouraging collaboration and communication among volunteers.

- Help to embed a culture and mindset of discipleship and pastoring throughout all children's ministries.

- Helping volunteers/members of the congregation to discover their potential and release their passions for youth work.

5.

- Ensure the safety and well-being of all children and youth in accordance with the church's safeguarding policies.

- Conduct risk assessments and maintain a safe environment for all activities.

- Maintain accurate records of attendance, participation, and feedback from programs.

- Prepare reports for church leadership on program effectiveness and areas for improvement.

Person specification

Criteria

Essential

Desirable

Qualifications

Relevant qualification in youth work, education, or a related field

Degree in theology, youth work, or social work

Experience

Experience working with children and youth in a church or community setting

Experience in program development for youth groups

Faith Understanding

Deep understanding of the Christian faith and teachings of the Church of England

Active involvement in church life and activities

Communication Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Experience in public speaking or leading groups

Interpersonal Skills

Ability to build positive relationships with children, youth, and families

Experience in conflict resolution and mediation

Organizational Skills

Strong organizational skills for planning and executing programs

Experience in managing events or activities

Teamwork

Ability to work collaboratively with volunteers and church staff

Experience in training and mentoring volunteers

Personal Qualities

Passion for working with children and youth, empathetic and approachable.

Empathetic and approachable demeanor, fostering trust and openness.

Creative and innovative approach to youth work

Safeguarding Knowledge

Knowledge of safeguarding policies and practices

Experience in implementing safeguarding procedures

IT Skills

Competence in using technology for communication and program management

Familiarity with social media platforms for outreach

Flexibility

Willingness to adapt to the needs of children and families

Experience in developing diverse programs

Additional Requirements:

- Enhanced DBS check and safeguarding training, in line with church policies.

- Willingness to participate in ongoing training and development opportunities.

- Able and willing to work unsociable hours.

Selection Process:

Closing Date for applications: Sunday 12th October

Interview Date: Sunday 19th October

To apply, please send your cv and a covering letter explaining why you are interested in this post and detailing how you match the person specification of no more than 500 words to revlizzyholland@gmail.com.

Interviews will comprise of a formal interview and a conversation with our young people, which will be supervised and observed.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 24,300.00 per year

Benefits:

Flexitime
Work Location: In person