The Children’s and Youth Ministry Department is focussed on supporting and resourcing all our Parishes in their work with children and youth from 0-18 years of age. The Apprenticeship Scheme sits within this, employing apprentices to work within a Parish for three years, training on the job with teaching and support from the Diocese and Ridley London.

There is an occupational requirement that the job-holder is a Christian under the Part 1 of Schedule 9 to the Equality Act 2010.

The location of each post is dependent on the Parish placement.

An offer of employment is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check (to be carried out by the Diocese at offer stage).

Do you have a heart for youth/children’s ministry and a genuine desire to serve your local community through the Church? Do you want to get training and experience in working with youth/children in a church context, and grow in your ministry?

As an apprentice, you will gain valuable experience and skills as you work within a Parish to expand and develop their children and youth ministry. You will receive quality training by Ridley London, the London Training Centre of Ridley Hall Cambridge, and graduate with a Certificate in Higher Education (Level 4) in Foundations in Theology, Ministry and Mission, with a focus on youth and children’s work.

You’ll be employed for 21 hours a week, with 16 hours in the Parish, and 5 hours set aside for study. You’ll study an introductory level 4 module in “Foundations in Theology, Ministry and Mission”.

Most potential apprentices apply to the scheme alongside a linked Parish. You are welcome to apply without a linked Parish, however an opportunity to be on the scheme will depend on the availability of a suitable Parish.

Each Parish will set out slightly different responsibilities for their apprentice, fitting in with their Project Plan. However, the core of every apprentice’s role is to support the children, youth and families work of their Parish, and the list below gives an outline of the main responsibilities an apprentice can expect to take on:

• Work directly with children and young people to develop and maintain positive relationships with them.
• Help to lead existing activities, such as Sunday school, messy church, youth group etc.
• Plan and deliver new programmes of activity to increase the involvement of children and young people in the life of the church and deepen their faith.
• Maintain existing links with local schools/community groups or develop an outreach plan to local schools.
• Lead a discipleship course for young people.
• Undertake the administration surrounding the children’s/youth work initiatives.
• Take part in weekly team and prayer meetings in the parish and attend supervision meetings with the Parish line manager on regular basis.
• Participate in group meetings with other apprentices.
• Participate in all relevant training with Ridley London and the Diocese.

The post-holder may be required to undertake any other duties that are commensurate with the role.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Essential:

• Experience in youth and children’s work and/or community learning and development.
• Qualifications obtained at Level 2 (GCSE or NVQ) or a commitment to achieving these within the first year of the programme.

Desirable:

• Sound knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Experience of school’s work

APTITUDES AND ABILITIES:

Essential:

• Willingness to commit to a three-year apprenticeship program which will include study, theory based assessments, regular attendance at college and additional learning activities.
• An ability to engage and work with young people and adults.
• Able to think creatively about ways to engage with children, young people and families.
• An ability to communicate in a friendly and professional manner with others both face-to-face, via telephone and in writing.
• An ability to integrate well into a small team environment.
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic, with the ability to work under own initiative and manage own workload.
• A readiness to reflect on your experiences and learning.
• High personal integrity.
• Flexible in your approach.

OTHER:

Essential:

• Sound knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• A commitment to others and to work for equal opportunities.
• Commitment to safeguarding children and young people.
• Ability to work confidentially and is sympathetic to the aims of the Church of England.

The LDF exists to support the mission of the Church of England in London. The principal activity of the London Diocesan Fund is to operationally and practically serve and support the parishes and people within the Diocese of London, enabling the vision that every Londoner will encounter the love of God in Jesus Christ.