Part-Time Children and Families Worker, The Benefice of Sarratt & Chipperfield

Duties and Responsibilities

To grow and develop children and family’s ministry across two semi-rural village churches, building on the existing relationships with local schools, community groups and our church family, helping children and families connect with God.
This role seeks to pioneer contextually relevant expressions of ministry, through engaging with our communities, helping children and families connect with God, grow in faith and become part of the wider church community.
The post holder will be responsible for day-to-day planning and delivery of children and family activities, schools work, and volunteer development. They will have the freedom to shape initiatives alongside or in consultation with the Rector (Pioneer Priest) who will report to the PCCs, with the expectation of operating proactively and on occasion independently.

Community Engagement & Outreach:
• To Lead and grow children and families ministry across the benefice, supporting the churches hope to be an intergenerational mixed ecology of church in our villages.
• To support and to further initiate new forms of outreach into our communities e.g Easter and Christmas trails, Forest church, summer fun days, ‘who let the dad’s out’ etc.
• To collaborate with church leadership teams and volunteers at community events which provide opportunities for family engagement.

School Engagement:
• To lead fortnightly assemblies in each of the two church schools (where possible) and creative festival services for the schools e.g Easter, Harvest, Christmas. The post holder will grow relationships within the schools alongside the Rector through classroom visits, Year 6 transitions, being available to support in ways which grow the relationship between school and church and occasionally to also support staff e.g SIAMS inspections, bereavements.

Church Groups:
• To Lead and develop ‘Little Saints’ our existing toddler group, working alongside and encouraging our current team on a weekly basis.

Person Specification

We’d love to hear from you if:
• You have a genuine love for children and a gift for communicating with them.
• You are organised but flexible.
• You are excited about village ministry and the unique, close-knit community feel.
• You have experience in children’s work, or education.
(opportunity of bursary to study part-time alongside this position for cert’ or diploma in Children’s Work for the right person if desired)

Visionary Team member:
• Support the leadership team in shaping our long-term strategy for growth in family outreach and discipleship helping us to grow younger and more diverse.
• Working with the Rector to recruit, equip, and support volunteers across all aspects of the children and families ministry.
• Ensure all activities comply with safeguarding, health and safety, and good working practise. Maintaining good record keeping and adhering to data protection requirements.
• To be prepared to support the team in researching and contributing to grant applications to sustain and potentially grow the role.
• To undertake any further training and engage in spiritual renewal for personal growth and wellbeing.
o Diocesan safeguarding training (mandatory)
o First aid and children’s ministry training as required