Ignite Team Mentor and Operation Assistant

Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education

Job Description

Ignite Team Mentor and Operation Assistant   – Ignite Project Children
and Youth Lancashire

£19,030.91 per annum

21 hours per week, 3 days per week

Job Title:

Salary:

Hours:

Location:

Clayton House, Walker Office Park, Blackburn, BB1 2QE

Responsible to:

Project Manager – Ignite Project Children and Youth Lancashire

1. Background

Blackburn Diocese (The Church of England in Lancashire) has embarked on a fresh and
exciting missional strategy supported by a substantial grant from the national Church of
England Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board. In June 2024, £25.5 million
was awarded for a programme of renewal in the Diocese over nine years, with £12
million in the first phase and £13.5 million (agreed in principle) for two more stages of
work and subject to evaluation of progress. The grant application requested investment
between 2024 and 2030 for a variety of themes to catalyse growth across our
churches. One of the themes relates to becoming a ‘church that reflects the
communities it serves’.
to become ‘younger’ through developing youth and children’s ministry. Over a period of
three years, 30 youth and children’s leaders (Ignite Leaders) will be employed by
parishes on permanent contracts to lead this work.

In delivering this goal, the aim is for churches across the diocese

The ‘Ignite Team Mentor and Operation Assistant’ role is funded through the Diocese
grant and will work under the Ignite Project Manager to play a vital role in supporting the
Ignite Leaders in their roles. The Ignite Leaders’ focus will be on nurturing and discipling
children and young people in alignment with the Diocese of Blackburn's vision. The Ignite
Leaders will hold and support regular worship accessible to youth and families, enable
growth in leadership, and develop effective partnerships between churches and
schools. The Ignite Team Mentor and Operations Assistant will support and mentor the
Ignite Leaders in their roles, guiding and coaching them in working within their own
parish context as well as supporting the continued development of central training and
networking through monthly ‘Forge’ days.

Main Responsibilities:

Prayer:

(cid:120) To lead/arrange prayer sessions with the Parishes, Ignite Team and other leaders.
(cid:120) To support with spiritual direction for the Ignite Leaders in the Parish

Pastoral/Mentoring Support:

(cid:120)  Conduct regular parish visits to mentor and pastorally support the Ignite Team

workers to ensure effective communication and support

(cid:120)  Be pastorally available for Ignite Leader, offering guidance and support
(cid:120)  Take every opportunity to coach Ignite Leaders
(cid:120)  Mentor Ignite Leaders under their care, to continually evaluate and improve effective

delivery of the project
Identification of training needs and help facilitate as needed

(cid:120)
(cid:120)  Meet twice a year with the Local Line Manager as well as the Leader for progress

report (together with the PM x1 a year)

Networking of Ignite Team workers:

(cid:120)  Organise and participate in meetings with project manager, Ignite Leader and their

local parish line managers once a year

(cid:120)  Support and coach Ignite Team through their qualifications
(cid:120)  Manage the virtual support group, facilitating discussions and providing pastoral and

coaching support as required

Event Organisation:

(cid:120)  Organise and attend as mandatory, the monthly team meeting for all parish and

centrally based Ignite Team

(cid:120)  Organise and coordinate the annual celebration of the project with senior Diocesan

staff

(cid:120)  Support organisation and coordination of wider events across the diocese to support

Ignite Leaders

(cid:120)  Facilitate ongoing support of events across the workers
(cid:120)  Organise annual Ignite Team residential retreat for spiritual and training nourishment

Training, Facilitation and Support:

(cid:120)  Assist the facilitated training for parishes on overseeing and managing their own

recruitment and teams in the future.

(cid:120)  Assist the facilitated training by coaching for local line managers
(cid:120)  Assist in facilitating the monthly Team Day, fostering a positive and collaborative

team environment

(cid:120)  Work closely with the other Ignite Team Mentor and Operation Assistant to provide

mentoring and support for the whole team on an individual and team level

Data collection

(cid:120)  Regularly visit team in parish to monitor KPIs
(cid:120)  Record KPIs of each parish initiative
(cid:120)  Together  with  the  Ignite  Project  Manager  keep  the  data  updated  and  analyse  the

effectiveness of the project in each parish reacting to any issues

(cid:120)  Liaise  with  each  Ignite  Leader  regularly  to  reflect  on  progress  and  mentor  in

effectiveness to build the ministry up in each location

(cid:120)  Under  the  direction  of  the  Project  Manager,  liaise  with  the  local  line  managers  and
incumbents annually, and meet line managers with Ignite Leader twice a year to update
the KPIs and to agree any changes and improvements needed to better meet KPIs.

Person Specification

Essential
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

Desirable

(cid:120)
Familiarity  with  Church  of  England
practices  and  theology  across  a  wide  range  of
traditions
(cid:120)

Qualification in children or youth ministry

Ability  to  build  and  maintain  strong
(cid:120)
relationships  with  churches,  PCCs,  and  other
stakeholders.
(cid:120)

Strong events management experience

Ability to deliver effective training

Educated to degree level (or equivalent

(cid:120)
experience)
(cid:120)
Practical experience in providing
mentoring and coaching, preferably in a youth
or community setting.
(cid:120)
sessions for stakeholders
Proven track record and wide experience
(cid:120)
of supporting or growing a Children’s, Youth or
Families Ministry within a church setting
(cid:120)
children and young people
(cid:120)
using a wide range of media.
(cid:120)

Knowledge of Safeguarding policies with

Good  knowledge  and  experience  of

A valid UK driving licence.

Passion for Diocese of Blackburn Vision

Commitment to and understanding of

(cid:120)
the Diocese of Blackburn's vision, particularly in
inspiring and discipling children and young
people for Christ.
(cid:120)
growing the faith of children and young people
and clear experience in this area.

A personal passion for nurturing and

Personal Qualities and Skills

A person of prayer, sensitive to the

Ability to deliver coaching and training

(cid:120)
leading of the Holy Spirit
(cid:120)
A practicing Christian involved in a
regular worship in a church with theology
compatible with the Church of England
Strong interpersonal and
(cid:120)
communication skills to effectively engage with
Ignite Leaders and stakeholders
(cid:120)
for local line managers and workers
(cid:120)
ability to coordinate events and meetings.
(cid:120)
Ability to provide effective pastoral
support and guidance.
(cid:120)
to organise their own time and prioritise
effectively
(cid:120)
providing assistance to the Project Lead
(cid:120)
Availability on some evenings and
weekends

Excellent organisational skills, with the

Proficient in administrative tasks and

Good organisational skills and the ability

Outline of Terms and Conditions

Employer: Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education

Salary: £19,030.91 per annum

Contract: Fixed Term until 31st December 2030

Hours: This is a part-time role based on a 21-hour working week, but the post holder may be
required to work additional hours as to meet the reasonable requirements of the role. The post
holder  will  be  entitled  to  time  off  in  lieu  for  attending  meetings  outside  normal  office  hours
which may include evenings and weekends; ideally this will be taken as flexible working.

Location: The post holder will be based at the Blackburn Diocese Board of Education, Clayton
House, Walker Office Park, Blackburn, BB1 2QE. The nature of the role requires regular travel
around  the  diocese,  and  sometimes  beyond.  A  smartphone  and  laptop  can  be  provided  to
assist remote working.

Pension: The default for staff is a Royal London Pension Scheme, 10% Employer contribution
2% minimum employee  contribution.  Clergy  can  opt  into  the  Church  of  England  Clergy
Pension Scheme via a salary sacrifice. Details of this are available on request.

Annual leave: The full-time entitlement is 25 days (not including statutory bank holidays) in
the first year of employment rising by 1 day per completed calendar year up to a maximum of
30  days  per  year.  This  is  pro  rata  for  part  time  employees.   The  holiday  year  runs  from  1
January to 31 December.

Probationary period: The appointment is subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month
probationary period.

Notice  Period:  During  the  six-month  probationary  period four  weeks’  notice  is  required  on
either  party.  Thereafter  you  will  be  required  to  give  six  months’  notice  should  you  wish  to
resign.

Expenses: Working expenses are paid at the diocesan rates

Employee Assistance Programme:  Employees  of  the  BDBF  are entitled  to  the  Medicash
Employee Assistance Programme following their second month of employment. Medicash is
available to all employees whose contracts exceed 3-months from their continuous start date.

Right to work: The post-holder must have the right to reside and work in the UK.

Diversity - The Diocese of Blackburn believes that diversity enables us to thrive and
develop and is committed to race equality, welcoming applications from UK Minority
Ethnic/ Global Majority Heritage backgrounds

The Diocese of Blackburn is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of
children,  young  people  and  vulnerable  adults.  All  post  holders  and  volunteers  are
expected to share this commitment