We're hiring

Children, Young People and Families Worker

Part time, 19 hours per week · Woolwich Community Church

We are looking for someone to lead, develop and grow our ministry among children, young people, and their families and carers — helping them encounter Christ, grow in faith, and become part of the life of our church.

Hours: 19 hours per week, part time
Contract: 12 month fixed term
Salary: £30,000 to £35,000 pro rata, depending on experience and qualifications Actual salary £15,000 to £17,500 for 19 hours per week
Location: Woolwich Community Church, SE18, with some offsite and remote working
Reports to: Pastor and Church Leadership Team
Closing date: Friday 23 October 2026, 5:00pm

Apply for this role Closes Friday 23 October, 5:00pm. Takes about 30 minutes.

About the role

The postholder will lead on strategy and planning for children and young people going forward, and will carry out some outreach work with the wider community. The role includes Sundays, plus some evenings and occasional Saturdays.

To nurture and equip children, young people and families to flourish in Christ: building a community of Refuge, restoring hope, and inspiring every child to live out an active, fire-filled faith in their homes, schools, and wider world.

The detail

Key responsibilities

Ministry leadership

Plan, develop and deliver engaging children's and youth programmes.
Lead Sunday children's ministry and youth gatherings.
Organise and support special events, outreach activities, camps, retreats and holiday clubs.
Create opportunities for children and young people to explore and deepen their faith.

Discipleship and pastoral care

Build positive and supportive relationships with children, young people, their carers and families.
Encourage spiritual growth through prayer, Bible teaching, worship and mentoring.
Provide appropriate pastoral support and refer concerns when necessary.

Outreach and mission

Develop links with local schools, community groups and families.
Encourage children and young people who are not currently connected to church to engage with activities.
Support evangelistic initiatives and community outreach.

Volunteer leadership

Recruit, train and support volunteers involved in children's and youth ministry.
Ensure volunteers are equipped and encouraged in their roles.
Facilitate regular team meetings and training opportunities for volunteers.
Produce minutes and written plans for the team and for individuals, to support forward planning.

Safeguarding

Maintain the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection.
Ensure all ministry activities comply with church safeguarding policies and statutory requirements.
Attend safeguarding training and report concerns appropriately.

Administration

Maintain records, registers, risk assessments, and communication with parents and carers.
Manage and monitor ministry budgets in consultation with church leadership.
Compile and contribute to reports for church leadership and trustees as required.

General

Participate in the wider life and worship of the church.
Work collaboratively with volunteers and leaders.
Uphold and share the values and vision of the church in every aspect, including behaviours.

Person specification

Use this as a checklist. When you fill in the application form, make sure you have evidenced each essential criterion somewhere in your answers.

Criterion	Requirement	How assessed
Faith and character
A committed Christian with a personal faith in Christ and a lifestyle consistent with biblical values	Essential	Application, interview, references
Able to support and work within the vision, values and beliefs of the church	Essential	Application, interview
A person of integrity, spiritual maturity and compassion	Essential	Interview, references
Knowledge, experience and qualifications
Relevant theological, ministry, youth work or children's work qualification, for example social work	Essential	Application, certificates
Experience of working with children and/or young people	Essential	Application, interview
Experience planning and delivering age-appropriate activities and teaching	Essential	Application, interview
Understanding of child development and youth engagement	Essential	Interview
Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities and best practice	Essential	Application, interview
Experience leading church-based children's or youth ministry	Desirable	Application, interview
Experience working with schools and community organisations	Desirable	Application, interview
Experience of organising events, camps or holiday clubs	Desirable	Application, interview
First aid qualification	Desirable	Application, certificates
Skills and abilities
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written	Essential	Application, interview
Proficient computer skills, and the ability to collect and use information and data to improve service provision	Essential	Application, interview
Ability to set up systems, protocols and procedures to streamline and improve ways of working	Essential	Application, interview
Ability to build positive relationships with children, young people, families and volunteers	Essential	Interview, references
Ability to lead and motivate volunteers	Essential	Application, interview
Good organisational and administrative skills	Essential	Application, interview
Ability to work independently and as part of a team	Essential	Interview, references
Personal qualities
Enthusiastic and approachable	Essential	Interview
Creative and adaptable	Essential	Interview
Reliable, resilient and self-motivated	Essential	Interview, references
Able to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries	Essential	Interview, references
Other
Able to work Sundays, plus some evenings and occasional Saturdays	Essential	Application, interview
Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle	Desirable	Application

Terms and conditions

19 hours per week, worked flexibly by agreement. The role includes Sundays, plus some evenings and occasional Saturdays.
12 month fixed term contract.
Six month probationary period.
Annual leave in line with statutory entitlement, calculated pro rata, plus bank holidays pro rata.
Pension through the church's auto-enrolment scheme, subject to eligibility.
Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses reimbursed in line with church policy.
The cost of the enhanced DBS check is met by the church.

Safeguarding and occupational requirement

Woolwich Community Church is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share that commitment.

The appointment is subject to:

An enhanced DBS disclosure with a barred list check.
Two satisfactory references. Because this role involves working with children, we normally take up references before interview.
Completion of safeguarding training.
Adherence to the church's safeguarding policies and procedures.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. You will be asked to declare all convictions and cautions, including those that would otherwise be considered spent, other than protected cautions and convictions filtered under the DBS filtering rules. A disclosure will not automatically prevent you from being appointed.

Occupational requirement

This post has an Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010 for the postholder to be a practising Christian, because the role involves leading Christian teaching, worship and pastoral care.

Key dates

Applications open: Friday 2 October 2026
Closing date: Friday 23 October 2026, 5:00pm
Shortlisting: Week commencing 26 October 2026
Interviews: Week commencing 2 November 2026
Start date: Monday 4 January 2027

Ready to apply?

Applications are made through our online form. It takes about 30 minutes. You will need your CV as a PDF and the contact details of two referees.

Start your application

Questions? Email [email protected]

View or download the full job description (PDF)

We welcome applications from everyone who meets the occupational requirement for this post, and we are committed to equality of opportunity. If you need any adjustments to take part in the application process or an interview, tell us on the form or email [email protected] and we will do what we can to help.