Families Worker for Kirdford Chapel and Rudgwick Chapel

Principal Responsibilities 

1. Run the existing children’s group at Kirdford, The Good News Club for children of Junior School age.
2. Develop the youth work, to possibly include other groups, to reduce the large age range currently covered by Good News and reach older young people.
3. Develop the existing relationships with the parents of the young people and the village communities.
4. Devise and implement a strategy for using social media, streaming events and on-line communication to reach children and young people including those who are contacted e.g. through schools work, but do not live in either Kirdford or Rudgwick.
5. Support and encourage families that have some contact with the churches and seek ways of engaging with other families in the villages – especially in the new housing developments.
6. Develop links with local schools, which may include taking assemblies from time to time.  Rudgwick has a primary school and an independent day school. The Junior school for Kirdford children is in the next village, Plaistow, and the main Senior School for both villages is in Billingshurst.
7. Help with and facilitate Family Services and special events for children, including the reinstatement of an all-age service at Rudgwick, using creative ideas.
8. Understand and implement best practice in children’s work, including Health and Safety and Safeguarding policies and procedures.
9. Take an active part in the life of both churches.
10. Take responsibility for the communication and advertising of church activities for young people and families in a contemporary and effective way.
11. Look for creative ways of developing the role, giving consideration to possible further activities for families and young people.

Required Skills

• It is an occupational requirement that the post-holder is a Christian and accepts the FIEC basis of faith.
• A person who wants to grow in Christ, whose life and character are consistent with their Christian faith, who is willing to learn and develop their God-given skills and gifts. Committed to sharing their relationship with Jesus and longing that younger generations should know him.
• Experience of working with young people and families in a church context, whether paid or voluntary.
• Although focusing on young people and families, we would want the post-holder to be committed to both fellowships, working as part of the overall team and willing to be ‘hands-on’ with the practicalities of running activities.
• Ability to think creatively, communicate and get alongside families and young people of all ages including the use of social media and the possible development of on-line events and materials.
• Ability to think creatively, communicate and get alongside families and young people of all ages including the use of social media and the possible development of on-line events and materials.
• Confident, motivated and reliable, with a good sense of humour and good organisational, time management and administrative skills.
• Kirdford Chapel and Rudgwick Chapel are small fellowships in village environments, so the postholder will need to be sensitive to working in this culture and the challenges it brings.
• A full driving licence essential.
• It would be desirable but not essential, for the post-holder to have some musical ability.
• This position will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure check and satisfactory references.