JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Youth Worker
Start Date: January 2025
Location: St Peter’s Church, Maney Hill Road, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1JJ
Responsible to: The Vicar of St Peter’s or wardens in a vacancy
Responsible for: Children aged 8 and above in the church, connecting with children and young people through local schools, uniformed groups and other activities in the parish. Running youth groups alongside volunteers from our sister churches in Sutton Coldfield.
Working alongside: Ministry team, PCC, Messy church volunteers, Schools, Oversight Area teams
Contract / Hours: This is a part time post working 18 hours a week
This role will require working some flexible hours/days across the week and will include Friday evenings in term time, some Sunday evenings and Sunday mornings.
Annual Leave: 5 weeks per year plus pro rata Bank Holidays, to be taken in negotiation with the line manager.
Salary: £12,480 (full time equivalent £26,000)
As this role is a ministry post and will be working within and actively supporting the mission of the Church, there is a genuine occupational requirement under the Equality Act 2010 for the job holder to be a practising Christian.
St Peter’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Children and Vulnerable People. All postholders are expected to share this commitment. This appointment is subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS and barred list check.
Closing date for applications: 6th January with interviews to be held week beginning 13th January 2025
BACKGROUND
St Peter’s sits in a suburban residential area, close to the town centre of Sutton Coldfield. There are 2 primary schools and a secondary school, numerous uniformed groups and we share the running of youth groups with our sister churches in Sutton Coldfield. We long to bring the knowledge of God’s love to the whole community. We are an Inclusive and Eucharistic church and strive to be welcoming to all. We have a particular desire to grow the number of children and young people who come through our doors, and to be a church which reflects the diversity of our area.
DESCRIPTION
We wish to appoint an inspiring and enthusiastic person ready to build on existing and pioneer new work that will enable children and young people to encounter the love of God and to become part of our church as a more inclusive, all-age community of faith.
There is huge potential to grow our ministry with children through our good working relationship with schools in the area, regular Messy Church and engagement with families requesting baptisms. Many families sit on the periphery of church and we long to help them engage more fully and develop a growing and active faith.
We also want to grow our ministry with families outside the church community; for the church to be good news for families in our community and to minister in ways that achieve more than just ‘getting them into church’.
PURPOSE OF POST
The overall purpose of the Youth Worker will be: to pioneer, develop and grow our ministry building on the many existing links we have with children and young people and enable children (with or outside their families) to find a home in the life and worship of St Peter’s Church.
You will play a key role with the Vicar, PCC and ministry team to enable St Peter’s to be a place where this is a recognised priority.
SUPPORT, NETWORK AND TRAINING
There is good Diocesan support for youth work across the Diocese that offers training, creative ministerial support and a network of others in similar roles. You would be expected and encouraged to make full use of this network and to engage in training as a means towards professional development.
There is a Deanery wide Children and Youth Missioner who is based at St Barnabas, Erdington who can provide additional support and encouragement.
SPECIFICALLY, WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE
• To work with our existing church community and leaders to help St Peter’s become a more ‘multi-generational’ Christian community.
• To lead the development and growth of St Peter’s Sunday activities for children and young people above the age of 8, ensuring that they desire to remain in church.
• To integrate families and children into our Sunday Holy Communion service.
• To develop the existing All Age worship on the first Sunday of the month.
• To lead and develop the Oversight Area youth clubs.
• To lead, develop and implement a vision for children and young people to grow as Christians, helping them find a place and play their full part in the life of the local church.
• To encourage visiting children and families, and those who come to our regular activities through uniformed groups, baptisms, school contacts etc., to become regular members of the church family.
Main Duties and Responsibilities (This will grow in time, but initially they will be as follows)
1. Have regular meetings with the Vicar for supervision and planning.
2. To attend Sunday morning worship as it currently is and start to get an idea of our culture and personality; get to know us, the context of the work and the community of St Peter’s.
3. Take a key role in provision of appropriate activities for the children over the age of 8 who come on Sunday morning, and grow a team to work with them.
4. Take on the lead for the term time weekly Friday and fortnightly Sunday evening youth clubs.
5. Meet with existing families to hear their story and perspective on St Peter’s.
6. As time allows, get to know the local primary schools with whom we have a link.
Personal Qualities
• Committed and prayerful Christian, seeking to grow the Kingdom through their work with children and young people.
• Drive and vision to energise self and others.
• The desire to help children and young people grow as Christians.
• Able to work graciously with a diverse group of people.
• Team player and able to work as a team leader.
• Committed to personal development.
• Brings a positive and fun-loving energy.
Skills
• Creative approach to integrating people into a church community.
• Ability to communicate faith, particularly to children and young people not familiar with church life.
• Good organisational skills.
• Listening skills.
• Good IT skills and a sound knowledge of media.
• The ability to organise and lead events for children & families.
• A team leader and a team builder.
Experience and Knowledge
• An active, living Christian faith.
• An understanding of the world of children and young people.
• Experience of working with children and / or young people and shaping worship to suit their culture and needs.
• Experience of managing / working with volunteers, and / or being a volunteer.
• Knowledge of Safeguarding requirements, including how they apply to working online and with social media and willingness to work within the Safeguarding policy of The Diocese of Birmingham.
More information and application form available from Revd Canon Becky Stephens, vicarofmaney@gmail.com.