Role Description: Children’s Worker/Helper

The Church takes the safety of everyone within the church very seriously and expects that everyone will work within the Church safeguarding policy. In particular, the Church expects anyone who becomes aware of a safeguarding risk or of actual abuse, to immediately raise this with your Parish Safeguarding Officer (Audrey Bushnell) or the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) or Assistant DSA.

Those who work with children, young people and/or adults who are vulnerable should have a commitment to:

·       Treat individuals with respect

·       Recognise and respect their abilities and potential for development

·       Working in ways that meet and develop the personal, spiritual, social and pastoral needs

·       Promote their rights to make their own decisions and choices, unless it is unsafe

·       Ensure their welfare and safety

·       The promotion of social justice, social responsibility and respect for others

·       Confidentiality, never passing on personal information, except to the person you are responsible to, unless there are safeguarding issues of concern which must always be reported to the person named above or to the Police or Social Services in an emergency.

Role

Children’s Worker/Helper

Responsible to

Children’s Work Co-Ordinator

Key Responsibilities of the Role (tasks to be undertaken)

As a volunteer:

Be a practising Christian, a member of church and a regular attender of services  

Pray for children and co-workers

Seek to get to know children in the group by name and make them feel secure

Create space for children to talk, both formally and informally

Communicate effectively with children

Work collaboratively with others

As directed, prepare and conduct sessions and activities relevant to the age and ability of the children in

        the group

Be aware of any health and safety matters that may affect the group

Undertake training relevant to the role

Undertake safeguarding training every three years

Read the parish’s safeguarding policy and know how to respond to, report and record any concerns you    

may have about a child

Read and implement any other PCC policies or guidelines relevant to your work with children

Regularly review your work with your co-workers and/or church leadership

Any arrangements for induction, training & support

Induction to be carried out by Children’s Work Co-ordinator

Safeguarding training every three years

Meet with co-workers once a term

Any practical arrangements relevant to the role (e.g. process for paying expenses, times role should be carried out, provision of equipment)  

Receipts for resources to be given to the Children’s Work Function Lead

On a rota by negotiation

Interview Required?

Yes – with Ministry Lead

The role is eligible for a criminal record (DBS) check which is renewable every three years (insert yes / no)

Yes

Level of criminal record (DBS) check which is required for this role

Enhanced