Our youth and children’s work has grown into a ministry valued and respected by the wider community and has enabled us to build strong relationships of trust with the diverse schools in our parish, and the families and relatives of the young people who participate. This has been helped by the leasing in 2009 of the old Cricket Pavilion from the Parish Council which is now Rudgwick Youth Centre (RYC).

The recruitment pack with further details and the person specification can be downloaded from our website along with the application form and Confidential Self Declaration

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• To develop and lead the ethos, vision and strategy for Rudgwick Church’s engagement with the children and young people, in partnership with the church’s Leadership.
• To oversee, lead and develop outreach to children and young people in the village through Rudgwick Youth Centre and other activities with age appropriate and engaging ways of introducing them to Jesus.
• To oversee, lead and develop discipleship, growth and development of young people at Rudgwick Church through the Sunday morning and mid-week programme, trips, camps (specifically leading the youth and children at May Camp and New Wine) and other activities and to help them take their place as full serving members of the church.
• To oversee, lead and develop our ministry to children and families, including taking school services and assemblies and being part of the ‘Open the Book’ team.
• To provide pastoral care for the young people in the church and village, always observing safeguarding best practice.
• To identify, recruit, nurture and support the volunteer team, keeping up to date with resources and initiatives to implement with the team.
• To communicate the youth and children’s programme to young people and their families, in ways that are clear, relevant and accessible to them and to the church leadership. This will include appropriate social media usage.
• To ensure that safeguarding, health and safety, food hygiene and data protection policies and other policies & procedures are followed and that the safeguarding of young people is paramount.
• To live in the village

General

• A member of the Church Leadership Team, contributing to the mission and life of the wider church.
• Being a part of the regular worshipping community and attending church services even when not leading a group or speaking.
• Be available to assist the Vicar if necessary, including preaching and leading at services.
• Support other ministries in the life of the church where necessary.
• Undertake any other duties that may reasonably be required of this post holder.

The Church Family Undertakes To

• Pray for and support you as a part of our community;
• Support you in developing your giftings within the wider mission of our church;
• Provide accommodation and expenses to fulfil your duties;
• To give one clear day off per week;
• To give you time to attend Diocesan Youth Worker days and other opportunities to nurture, develop and support you;
• Provide weekly line management with the vicar and an annual appraisal;
• In conjunction with the Youth and Children’s Pastor, help with the day to day running of the Youth Centre through the RYC Management Committee.

Safeguarding

Rudgwick church is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and considers that their safety and wellbeing is of paramount importance. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check with Barred Lists and the successful applicant will be required to complete Church of England safeguarding training.