Family Worker - Job Description

Post: Family Worker - Full time

Location: Ecumenical Centre

Aim: To further the Church's mission through:

Establishing and developing contact with children, young people and their families connected to the Church or Centre.
Making appropriate provision for the social and spiritual needs of the client group.
Supporting existing volunteers working with children and families and, where necessary, recruiting and training new volunteers.

Responsible to: the Church Meeting who will appoint a management group and a line manager, who will be responsible for ensuring that targets are set and achieved as well as for on-going support and direction.

Responsible for: the specific areas of work as outlined below

The worker will be required to participate in an induction programme to introduce him/her to the church and appropriate community organisations, this will be ongoing during the first 4 - 6 weeks.

Initial Task

Within the first six months to undertake a needs analysis based initially on contacts developed with those using the premises. To then work with the minister and Lay Worker and the Management Group to establish appropriate responses to the identified needs.

There are other youth / family organisations run by other churches in the town, we need to complement these not compete.

Current views on the 'need' would require the following tasks

(1) To set up and develop initiatives which will encourage 'the lost generation' (young people and families) to re-engage with church. This might include holiday or after school clubs, family events or parent groups.

(2) To develop contacts with youth organisations who use the premises as well as with the parents/cares of children belonging to such organisations

(3) To establish and maintain contact with other organisations and agencies doing similar work.

(4) To share with the minister and Lay Worker in pastoral responsibility for families and young people.

(5) To recruit, facilitate the training of, and support a team of volunteers who will maintain and develop both existing and new work with families.

(6) To assist the minister and others in planning and preparing All-age Worship and to develop opportunities to explore, teach or share aspects of the Christian faith with weekday groups.

(7) To normally attend worship at Emmanuel Church on Sunday mornings or wherever the 'families' of the Church are worshipping.

(8) To work with the minister and Management Group to keep the whole church informed about, and committed to, the development of the project. This might include attending church events ( eg. coffee mornings) to establish and develop relationships.

(9) To meet regularly with the line manager for supervision; attend and report to management group meetings; make reports to the Church Meeting as required and also to the AGM where a full written report of activities will be presented.

(10) To keep appropriate records and information as required by the line manager and/or management group.

(11) To work with the minister to ensure that all activities run in the name of Emmanuel Church follow local and national guidelines regarding the safeguarding of children and young people.

Person specification

A committed Christian; not necessarily Methodist or URC, but respectful of different faiths, traditions, styles of worship and Christian experience.
A professional qualification in Community Work or a related discipline; other qualifications would be considered in the light of relevant experience.
Evidence of previous experience of working with children and/or young people and their parents, preferably in a Church context.
Evidence of leadership skills; someone able to work on their own initiative in developing new Christian work, activities and groups.
Evidence of good communication skills with both young people and adults. Someone who is a good listener; able to relate easily to people of all ages and to share faith sensitively.
The ability to work flexibly and creatively with a team of voluntary workers, and to relate well to organisations both within the life of the church and in the community.
Experience of leading or involvement in developing new expressions of worship would be desirable; there would be the opportunity to contribute skills in IT, music or drama.
A commitment to involving families within the life of the church.
An understanding of and commitment to child protection and an awareness of current legislation.

Work location

The Ecumenical Centre is well equipped with office equipment, telephone, fax and Internet services. It is currently felt that the best base for this role is from the centre.

Funding

It is anticipated that there will be some start up costs for new activities within the church and an allowance has been made in the budget to provide this.

Assessment Framework

For Children and Family Worker Person Specification

Attributes	Essential	Desirable	Method of Assessment
Education and Training		A recognised biblical, theological, teaching or practical mission qualification.	Q
Relevant Experience	Experience of working with appropriate age group.	Been involved in devising or developing outreach and faith activities for young people and families	A, I
Special Knowledge and Skills	An understanding of the challenges facing the church today in respect of the 'lost generation'		I
		Able to use E-mail, word, PowerPoint, spreadsheets	E
		A good understanding of child protection issues and other relevant legislation	I
Special Qualities and Aptitudes	Able to relate effectively to a wide range of ages and work well in a team	Able to adapt to changing priorities and situations	A, I
	Able to communicate and influence effectively both in person and in writing		A, I
	Able to work on own initiative with ability to organise and prioritise own time and resources		I
	Committed practising Christian prepared to work within the doctrines of the URC/Methodist Church		I
Any other requirements	Satisfactory Disclosure (enhanced) from the CRB		CRB documentation
		Ability to be mobile around area - alternatives to car driving can be explored, as existing public transport links are reasonable.	I

A - Application form; I - Interview; E - Exercise; Q - proof of qualification

Terms and conditions

The post is permanent and initially offered for 3 years, due to the uncertainty of the success of this role within our church.

Hours

Remuneration will be based on a 37 (thirty seven) per week, however the very nature of the work will require flexibility in when these hours occur as evening and weekend work will be essential. The post holder will be expected to keep an account of hours worked each week; this should be available as required by the line manager. If unavailable for work due to ill health or for other reasons, the line manager should be notified as soon as possible.

Salary

In line with JNC Community / Youth Workers national scales 9 - 11 currently (in Aug 2007) at £17,910 - £ 19,362, depending on experience.

Pension

You will be contracted into the State Pension Scheme (S2P) for which deductions will automatically be made by your employer.

Probationary period

6 (Six) calendar months.

During this time you will be more closely supervised.

Termination of contract:

Where the contract of employment is terminated by your employer you are entitled to the following

notice:

One week during the probationary period and thereafter one calendar month.

If employment were to continue for more than 4 years then you are entitled to a week's notice for each year of service, up to a maximum of 12 weeks.

If you wish to terminate your employment, you are also required to give one week's notice during your probationary period and thereafter one calendar month.

Grievance procedure

This will follow the Methodist Church guidelines. A copy is available on request.

Holidays

25 working days plus statutory bank holidays (currently 8). Due to the nature of the work, the post holder will have to work flexible and unsocial hours. As the workload may vary from week to week, it may be necessary to take 'time off in lieu', this must be taken as soon as possible and authorised by the line manager.

Expenses

Mileage will be paid at the rate specified by the Methodist Church for Lay Workers, currently 40p per mile. The place from which claims can be made will be from your work base and this, most likely, will be The Ecumenical Centre Redditch. Where agreed, funding is available to cover specific training needs.

This post is linked to the general terms, conditions and procedures according to the standing orders of the Methodist Church relating to lay employees (more information available at http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentoyou.content&cmid=552)

The appointment will start, and depend upon, when satisfactory references and an Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau is received (this will be paid for by the Church).