Children’s, Families and Schools Worker
“Inspiring the next generation to follow Jesus”
35 hours per week including Sundays, £24,000 pa
Are you passionate about sharing Jesus with children and families? Do you love building relationships and making faith accessible, fun, and engaging? Hope Church, a lively and growing Anglican church in North West Bicester, is seeking a full-time (35 hours a week) worker, gifted and passionate about ministry with children, families and schools.
Who we are
Hope Church is a charismatic evangelical Anglican church planted from Emmanuel Church Bicester (ECB) and part of the Bicester Team Ministry. Based in the heart of Elmsbrook, a thriving eco-town development, we are a welcoming community with a strong heart for mission. With many young families in our area, we long to see children and parents encounter Jesus, grow in faith, and feel part of God’s family.
The Role
We are looking for someone who will, under the supervision of the Vicar of Hope Church:
· Develop and lead our ministry with children, youth and families, both in church and the community.
· Build strong relationships with local schools, supporting their Christian ethos and outreach.
· Work alongside our leadership team to create fun, faith-filled opportunities for young people and families to explore and grow in their relationship with Jesus.
· Equip and encourage volunteers, ensuring our ministry is sustainable and effective.
Who You Are
· A committed Christian with a passion for sharing the gospel with children and families.
· A creative and engaging communicator, able to connect with people of all ages.
· Someone who thrives on building relationships and working in a team.
· Excited by the opportunity to develop something new and make a real impact.
Why Join Us?
· A supportive church family who will pray for and encourage you.
· The opportunity to shape and grow a vital ministry.
· A vibrant community with lots of young families.
· The chance to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families.
The employer claims exception under the Equality Act 2010.
For further information or an informal chat please contact the church office:
enquiries@emmanuelbicester.org.uk or call Revd Sam Mortimer on 07505 426763.
Application forms and supporting information are available from the office and our website: www.emmanuelbicester.org.uk
Closing date for applications is Monday 13th April 2026.
Interviews will begin from Monday 27th April.
CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND SCHOOLS WORKER
Key Responsibilities and duties
A regular review of the following key areas of responsibility is to be undertaken, and a quarterly progress report is required for submission to ECB Parochial Church Council (for onward forwarding to the Diocese of Oxford development grant team).
Young People and Families
· Work with the vicar to oversee ministry with children, families and young people at Hope Church.
· Support a children’s and family outreach ministry on Elmsbrook.
· Primary school visits, assemblies and school chaplaincy work.
· Work with local parents, babies and toddler groups.
· Work with local volunteers to set up and run a regular youth activity in Elmsbrook.
· Work with local volunteers to run “Muddy Church”, a monthly outdoor service.
Church based tasks
· Grow a team for children’s ministry at Hope church.
· Provide ongoing support, encouragement and supervision for team members.
· Prepare and lead group sessions and activities on Sunday mornings.
· Work cooperatively with others to plan sessions in advance.
· Provide induction for new team members.
· Encourage children and young people to learn about Jesus and to grow in faith.
· Get to know the children and help them to feel safe and secure.
· Pray for the children in your care.
· Keep a register, contact details, allergy information and consent forms up to date.
· Liaise with parents and carers about their child’s needs.
· Be aware of and comply with all relevant safeguarding requirements, including remaining up-to-date with safeguarding training and DBS certifications.
· Ensure the environment is safe for everyone involved.
· Know how to respond to and report any safeguarding concerns or allegations.
· Ensure that personal data is stored securely.
· Attend meetings for your support, guidance or supervision.
Outreach within the Elmsbrook community
Engagement with the community café, community centre, business centre, and school.
· Support for key community events (Christmas/Easter/School Fete).
· Support for regular ministries including the community café.
· Support church hospitality events.
· Running and supporting occasional outreach events focused on children and families.
Hope Church
We are a Church of England church in the beautiful garden town of Bicester Oxfordshire. Planted from Emmanuel Bicester, we are based on the Elmsbrook Estate (affectionately named the ‘Eco Town’). Our commission from Jesus is to make disciples of people on Elmsbrook, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything he has commanded (Based on Matt 27:19-20).
Our Vision and Values
Bringing the love of God to Elmsbrook and caring for his creation. We aim to do this by building relationships with the Elmsbrook community and families through supporting local events, children’s activities, invitations to shared meals and other social events.
Apprenticeship to Jesus
We study Jesus and seek to emulate how he lived so that we may become more like him.
Everything we to and believe is rooted in Biblical Truth
The Bible is our ultimate authority in faith and practice. It is the Word of God. We live our lives according to its Truth. We embed the Bible in everything we do because it’s all about Jesus
Building relationships and growing community
God made us in his image, to live in relationship with him and with each other. We welcome individuals, families and young children and seek to build vibrant adult and children’s ministries. We are a community of believers who meet at our place of worship and in each others’ homes to encourage each other in our faith
Caring for God’s creation
God charged Adam and Eve with responsibility for stewarding his creation. We believe that responsibility has been passed down through the generations to us and we seek to partner with God as we care for the planet.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title: CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND SCHOOLS WORKER
There is a genuine occupational requirement for the postholder to be a practising Christian.
They should:
· Recognise the importance of church in community and different ways of engagement.
· Be able to commit fully to the vision of Hope church.
· Be willing to become involved in the regular worshipping life of Hope church as a committed member of the church family.
Key Skills and Attributes
· A people person able to build strong relationships with families and their children inside and outside the church community.
· Strong interpersonal, creative and communication skills to work with a range of individuals and groups from a range of backgrounds and in different contexts.
· An ability to lead school assemblies or willingness to learn.
· Some understanding of the spiritual development of children, or willingness to learn.
· Some knowledge and understanding of special educational needs and child mental health and its impact on families, or willingness to learn.
· Self-motivated and willing to use their own initiative.
· Organised with good record keeping and IT skills.
· Ability to manage their own time effectively within agreed working hours.
· Share the church’s commitment to safeguarding; to undertake all associated training.
· Ability to relate the Christian faith to the complexities and difficulties of everyday family life.
Experience
You will be,
· able to demonstrate some experience of working with children or young families in a church and non -church context, preferably including leading children’s groups and events.
· willing to develop your skills through further training.
Other Work Requirements
· This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check with Barred List and a comprehensive safer recruitment process.
· Ability to work some Sundays as a routine part of the role.
Referees
· In addition to two standard referees, you will provide the name and contact details for the Minister/Vicar of the church you regularly attend.
Hope Church
Hope Church is a charismatic evangelical Anglican church planted from Emmanuel Church Bicester (ECB) and part of the Bicester Team Ministry. Based in the heart of Elmsbrook, a thriving eco-town development, we are a welcoming community with a strong heart for mission. With many young families in our area, we long to see children and parents encounter Jesus, grow in faith, and feel part of God’s family.