Children and Youth Worker

Main Purpose of Job

We are looking for a new Children and Youth Worker to join our thriving and

inclusive Anglican community in Didsbury, and to oversee and nurture our

vital Christian ministry to children, young people and their families. You can

find out more about our lively and active community on our website:

https://stjamesandemmanuel.org

You will become a key member of the ministry team and work creatively with

supportive clergy, as well as many friendly and dedicated volunteers, to enable

our children and young people to find a place of belonging, believing and

becoming at St James and Emmanuel.

The ideal candidate will be experienced in working with children, friendly,

very well-organised, flexible and able to work independently to maintain and

develop our thriving groups and activities for toddlers to teenagers across the

parish. They will also help to plan and implement all-age projects and

celebrations, e.g. at Christmas and Easter.

This is an exciting role for someone who enjoys working with children and

adults alike, providing a lot of variety and interest both day-to-day and

throughout the year. The role offers a good balance between rewarding

face-to-face interaction with children of all ages and their families, and quiet

periods of creativity and preparation behind the scenes, which can often be

undertaken at home.

Key responsibilities

1. Provide strategic oversight of and shape the direction of the children and

youth ministry across the parish.

2. Be responsible for recruiting, training and nurturing the volunteer teams

who work with the children and young people in our Sunday morning church

groups, and (currently) Wednesday and Thursday morning toddler groups

and Friday evening youth group.

3. Ensure that rotas are well-maintained, communication with volunteers is

clear, timely and well-organised, and appropriate resources are provided for

every activity. Manage a yearly budget for the children and youth work to

provide new resources as needed.

4. Liaise with the SJE Safeguarding Officer to ensure compliance with the Diocese

of Manchester’s safeguarding policies and procedures.

5. Work in either St James or Emmanuel church on Sunday mornings, either with

a group of children, or as part of the all-age team (except when on annual

leave).

6. Support the Director of Music to enable the youth band to lead worship once

a month. (No musical ability necessary)

7. Oversee the crèche facilities and resources at both churches.

8. Resource and lead our toddler groups and build relationships with carers,

maximising opportunities to strengthen church connections, e.g. at Christmas

and Easter.

9. Resource and lead our thriving youth group and continue to develop its

mission to prepare our young people for adulthood in the church and

community through ongoing projects such as elderly partner visits,

fundraising activities and confirmation preparation led by the clergy.

10. In collaboration with the clergy team, maintain and build connections

between SJE and Didsbury and West Didsbury Church of England primary

schools within the Thrive MAT.

11. In collaboration with the wider staff team, develop links with the community

through all-age projects and events.

12. Participation in weekly staff meetings to be agreed according to availability.