CHILDREN’S AND FAMILY WORKER
SOUTHPORT METHODIST CIRCUIT
28,013 per year
Remote
Full-time
Job Description JOB TITLE CHILDREN’S AND FAMILY WORKER Circuit: Southport Circuit 1/36 Location: Home-based but there will be office-space in one of the Circuit Churches Salary: Hours: £28,013 Full time, 37hrs per week Responsible to: The Managing Trustees of the Southport Methodist Circuit Line managed by the Revd Rachel Bray Responsible for: Managing volunteers where required Job Purpose and Objectives The postholder will coordinate and facilitate the effective delivery and development of children’s work (0 – 11yrs) across the 9 churches of the Southport Circuit, with the aim of enabling children and their families to be fully participating and engaged members of their churches. Main Responsibilities • To oversee and coordinate children’s work across the Circuit • To support, encourage and resource the team of volunteers who work with children across the Circuit • To link in with and support teams who lead activities and groups for children across the churches • Liaise with the Youth Worker regarding work with children and young people • To encourage churches to grow in their welcome and engagement with families • To help equip parents to help their children explore and develop their faith • Develop new initiatives that would enhance our work with children and families • To help churches think creatively about engaging with unchurched children and their families • To connect in with the work of our churches who already have links with schools and work collaboratively where appropriate with the Southport & Area Schools Worker Trust • To keep accurate records, monitor progress, and present reports to the Circuit Meeting • To ensure effective risk assessments and safe working practices in relation to children’s work are maintained and reviewed across the Circuit, in liaison with appropriate church personnel and volunteers • Attend appropriate training and events The appointment is full-time, 37 hrs per week, with flexible working, including weekends. Terms and Conditions • • Part-time would also be considered • Permanent contract • Any overtime will be taken as time off in lieu • Ability to travel within the circuit will be required • There is a contributory pension scheme to which eligible lay employees will be enrolled. Lay employees who do not meet the auto-enrolment criteria are eligible to join the scheme subject to certain provisions • Annual holiday entitlement - 30 days (6 weeks) + bank holidays (leave primarily to be taken during school holidays) • All reasonable expenses will be reimbursed • Appointment will be subject to satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) clearance • Appointment will be subject to satisfactory references • Appointment will be subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period Person Specification Education & Training Good standard of education (educated to at least GCSE level in English and Mathematics). Qualification or relevant training in childcare/early years/children’s work. Proven Abilities Previous experience of working with children and families. Experience of working and engaging with families from diverse backgrounds. Ability to quickly connect, communicate naturally with, and motivate children and families, both those who attend church and those who do not. Experience of providing pastoral care and support in a paid or voluntary position. Able to work as part of a team. Ability to lead and inspire a team of volunteers. Special Knowledge & Skills Passionate about working with children and families and creating opportunities for them to explore and develop their faith. Good organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and manage time effectively. Self-motivated and enthusiastic with the ability to work on own initiative in developing creative ideas. Able to develop and maintain appropriate boundaries, demonstrating integrity and a commitment to and understanding of confidentiality. Essential Desirable Method of Assessment A A A, I A, I A, I, E A, I A, I A, I , E A, I, P A, I A, I, P A, I An awareness of health and safety and experience of producing risk assessments for activities and events. A good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures and willingness to adhere to Methodist polices and practices relating to safeguarding. Basic ICT skills to include use of email, word processing and databases. Ability to use and manage social media appropriately. Awareness and sensitive to issues of equality, diversity and inclusion. Awareness of safer recruitment procedures and volunteer management. Any Other Requirements A practicing Christian, supportive of the aims and ethos of the Methodist Church. A flexible approach to working in response to the evolving needs of the Circuit and the wider Methodist Church. The ability to travel to locations cross the Circuit (either using own car or public transport). Satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure & Barring Service A, I A, I A,I, P A, I, P A, I A, I A, I A, I A, I DBS application A: Application form; I: Interview; Q: Proof of Qualification; P: Presentation; E, Exercise