Children and Families Worker

This is an exciting opportunity for a Children and Families Worker to play a key role in implementing “A Fruitful Future II: Strategic growth and cultural change in the large, diverse Diocese of Southwark”.  

Specific projects have been identified in places across the Diocese of Southwark where there is a clear opportunity for growth and funding has been obtained from the Church of England’s Strategic Development Funding to support these projects.  

The two neighbouring Dulwich parishes of St Barnabas with Christ’s Chapel and St Clement with St Peter are working together to bring this hopeful vision to fruition. St Barnabas with Christ’s Chapel has been designated a Hub Church, to share their expertise and support other parishes to develop a flourishing children’s and youth ministry. This will initially be at St Clement with St Peter with a view to also work with another parish in a significant way over the next few years. 

This is a dynamic and evolving role requiring someone who is flexible, creative, and prayerfully responsive to the needs of each context. One parish has a well-established and flourishing children’s ministry; the other is in an exciting stage of development. We recognise that the work will grow and shift over time in response to God’s leading. The following responsibilities give a sense of the scope and priorities of the role: 

1. Leadership & Delivery 

• Build relationships across both parishes its schools, and communities.  

• Work with the Vicars to develop a clear vision for the discipleship and faith formation of children and families, both on Sundays and midweek, ensuring that children with additional needs are fully included. 

• Maintain and support established programmes at St Barnabas, including PlayTime!, Sunday School groups, and Messy Church and be supportive of the significant role of Dulwich Children’s Choir within the life of the church. 

• Facilitate and increase the frequency of PlayTime! toddler church at St Clement with St Peter to a weekly gathering.  

• Establish and lead Sunday School at St Clement and St Peter at least 2–3 times a month. 

• Support children in growing as confident disciples of Jesus and as active participants in the church community. 

• Contribute to catechetical programmes and sacramental preparation (e.g., First Communion and Confirmation). 

• Recruit, train, support, and nurture volunteers for children’s ministry in both parishes 

• Oversee a modest budget and manage relevant resources. 

• Working with the Diocese of Southwark and the Vicars, actively support and work alongside another Parish to implement the new model of ministry and contribute to the sharing and learnings from the experience at St Clement’s with other parishes across the Diocese.  

2. Safeguarding 

• Commitment to safeguarding, ensuring team members and volunteers have valid DBS checks and are fully trained and equipped. 

• Ensure that safeguarding policies are followed and that robust safeguarding practice is fully embedded in all aspects of the children’s ministry. 

• Risk management, including preparing risk assessments for activities and events.  

• Plan for and integrate children with additional needs. 

3. Staff Team 

• Attend team and parish meetings as required. 

• Be part of the team, occasionally undertaking various additional responsibilities in the wider team as they arise.

If you’re ready to create opportunities to make God’s love known to young people, and their families, here in Dulwich, we’d love to hear from you.