All ALM candidates should:
- show a clear commitment to personal growth in faith and discipleship;
- be recognised by the leadership of church and by the congregation(s) as being committed to serving God’s mission through the work of the parish/benefice/deanery, as well as in their own daily life;
- be committed to working collaboratively as a member of a team;
- be eager to encourage the gifts of others;
- show evidence of the gifts and skills appropriate to the particular ministry being considered, and the potential to develop them;
- have an appetite for life-long learning in a Christian context and be enthusiastic about following a course of training and formation;
- normally be actual communicant members of the Church of England;
- be willing and able to comply with the diocesan and parish policies on safeguarding children and adults with particular needs and vulnerabilities.
ALM Children’s and Youth Worker
An ALM Children and Young People’s Worker is called
- To work with and pray for children and young people.
- To help children and young people understand the Christian faith and support them.
- To support children and young people as they grow in faith.
- To help plan and supervise the church’s activities with children and young people.
The role description will include some or all of the below responsibilities.
- Knowing the safeguarding policy and how to respond to, report and record any concerns.
- Leading, or helping to lead, children’s church, Messy Church or Sunday School.
- Leading, or helping to lead, a youth group.
- Going into schools to lead, or help lead, assemblies or other activities.
- Running, or helping to run, confirmation courses.
- Helping run holiday or after-school clubs.
- Helping lead appropriate prayer, worship and reflective activities for children and young people.
- Taking part in the leading and development of all-age worship.
- Getting to know children / young people in a group by name and make them feel secure.
- Creating space for children / young people to talk, both formally and informally.
- Communicating effectively with children / young people.
- Preparing and conducting groups, sessions, and activities relevant to age and ability.
- Knowing the safeguarding policy and how to respond to, report and record any concerns.
Download a draft role description.
A full version of a draft role description as an editable word document is available here.
What does the course cover?
The worker and God
- A theology of youth work / children’s work
- The worker as an individual
- Who am I?
- Gifts and talents
- Personal development
The worker and young people / the worker and children
- Introduction to Christian youth work / children’s work
- Youth culture
- Young people and spirituality / spirituality of children
- Growing young disciples
The worker and their team (referring to the team of leaders)
- Working together
- Developing teams
- Young leaders
The worker and their organization (referring to the church)
- Youth work and the church / children and the church
- Children & Youth friendly churches
- Partnership work
The worker and their community (referring to the local area)
- What is community?
- Working with the community
- Youth work / children’s work in the community
The worker, policies and procedures
- Best practice for the regular programme
- Planning a programme
- Best practice for residential and larger events