Are you someone who cares deeply about the Church’s mission among children and families? Do you have experience of leading this work in the local Church. Do you long to see faith develop in children and in family life. Are you a team player with an infectious enthusiasm and a good sense of humour? Perhaps God is calling you to join us.

We are looking for someone to join our small team as we support the Church of England’s mission and ministry across Devon.

You will encourage, challenge and resource local churches. You will work closely with our education team and with South West Youth Ministries. You will be comfortable working in different traditions and in both urban and rural contexts. You will see the missional possibilities in baptism ministry and in working closely with schools.

Role Purpose:

This is a strategic post to develop, shape and enable the Growing faith vision to set by the House of Bishops; to ensure a national commitment to achieve a culture change of seeing every aspect of our mission and ministry through the lens of what it means for our ministry with children, young people, and families.

• Encouraging discipleship amongst children throughout the Church in the Diocese by supporting Mission Communities in reaching out to and working with children and young families. Advising and enabling on how to integrate this mission with pre-schools, and primary schools.

• Providing advice and signposting resources for Mission Communities to build relationships with local families where applicable through children’s centres, toddler groups, pre-schools, primary schools, uniformed organisations and other groups in their communities that enhance the holistic development of children.

• Developing and implementing a strategy to seize the missional opportunities of Baptism ministry.

Ensuring that there is appropriate training and support for those who are involved in ministry with children aged 0-12yrs.

• To value and celebrate the place and contribution of children and their families at all levels within the Diocese
• Provide support for those involved in Christian mission with younger children and their parents, promoting a high standard of practice across the Diocese by:

• Modelling good practice, skills and behaviors that safeguard and promote good outcomes for children
• Helping local churches reflect on and develop work – both with children and their parents
• Offering relevant training and making resources available
• Assisting in resolving issues and offering mediation as necessary
• Helping develop partnership potential between Church schools and local churches for mission with pre-school children and families

• Provide pastoral support, training and guidance to clergy and lay people responsible for work with young children and their families
• Develop a network of Children’s champions to promote the Growing Faith adventure across mission communities.
• Develop a network of younger children's workers to provide peer support, resources, and signpost to training.
• To support managers in church pre-school settings, including support with strategic thinking, planning, problem solving, communication and implementation of SEF, improvement, and action plans, ensuring effective interventions are planned
• To motivate and challenge staff and volunteers to continually review provision and improve standards to provide outstanding childcare, early years education, play opportunities and support to families in line with their own group’s mission statement and aspirations
• Work with members of the Education Team to facilitate links between communities and parishes
• To keep abreast of local, national, and international policy, practice and research in relation to children and young people and advise accordingly.

• Maintain positive links with relevant local authorities, statutory bodies and voluntary organisations and work in close collaboration with other agencies
• Ensure all information received via e-mail, telephone etc. is communicated accurately and in a timely manner to appropriate personnel.
• Be committed to own personal continuous professional development.

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• Experience of a leadership role in a Church setting working with children
• Experience of collaborating with volunteers and of training adults

Desirable

• Experience of developing new childcare settings
• A teaching qualification or equivalent children work qualification

​Knowledge, skills and abilities

Essential

• Understanding and application of the highest safeguarding principles
• Strong IT Skills
• Proficient with Microsoft office including PowerPoint, publisher and excel.
• Able to prioritise time and resources.
• Demonstrable financial understanding and related skills

Desirable

• Knowledge of the Church of England; its structures and processes.

Personal

Essential

• Self-directing, highly organised, able to work to tight deadlines and manage conflicting priorities
• Ability to provide creative solutions to problems and overcome barriers
• Excellent communicator, with experience of communicating effectively with a range of stakeholders in different ways including board level papers and presentations
• Ability to provide a positive and collaborative contribution to a team
• Able to motivate and set examples to others
• Reliable and conscientious
• Active and reflective Christian faith
• Ability to develop understanding and effective relationships with clergy, parochial officers, the Bishop’s Staff and Old Deanery Staff
• Diplomacy, tact, patience, flexibility, and a sense of humour

Desirable

• Understanding of appropriate ways to be proactive in sharing the good news of Jesus

General Requirements

Essential

• Commitment to the vision and mission of the Diocese of Exeter and local parishes
• This is a leadership role in Christian ministry therefore there is a genuine occupational requirement for the post holder to be a practicing Christian in a partner denomination in Churches Together in England
• Driving license