bath & wells: services for children and young people:
parishes and deaneries

A Statement Of Purpose

Children's and Young People Services for Parishes and Deaneries in the Diocese of Bath & Wells continue to be an important piece of the mosaic of service provision across historic Somerset. We aim to provide opportunities for the personal, social, educational and spiritual development of children and young people, based on the Christian faith and its values.

The Team / Advisers recognise that they mainly work with those who provide services for children and young people, and focus on five overlapping strategic areas.

• Development - so as not to stagnate and to meet the challenges of change
• Partnership - to engage with others in the planning and delivery of services
• Mission - to share the good news of the Christian faith with others
• Safety - to ensure that services provided are safe and follow child protection guidelines
• Participation - to enable those who receive the services, to engage in the decision making processes and have opportunities to actively participate

The Role, Work and Core Activities

• To support, encourage, resource and help seek funding for all those who work with children and young people including:
• Volunteers
• Paid staff
• School chaplains
• Clergy and Readers

To communicate through:

• Reports, publications and IT
• Speaking engagements and presentations
• Leading worship
• Internal and external committees and structure

To provide formal and informal training based on local needs for all those who work with children and young people.

To manage, oversee and shape the diocesan child protection policy and procedures:

• Providing training, advice and support
• To deal with incidents and allegations in partnership with other professionals
• To administrate and monitor the CRB process

To oversee the selection, recruitment and employment of paid workers, student placements and gap-year volunteers. The advisers offer advice and support for policy, employment, contracts and offer non-managerial supervision.

To host and be involved in:

• Youth / children's events
• Conferences for youth / children's leaders
• Residential experiences
• Festivals
• Overseas exchanges

To maintain a level of "face to face" contact with children young people and young adults through:

• Events for children and young people, including an event for clergy children
• Visits to individual groups
• Consultations
• Schools work and FE / HE

To support and oversee a young adults network in the diocese that enables young people to participate and have a voice in the issues and services that affect them at a local and national level.

To engage in, and help shape partnerships, policies and politics:

• Maintaining a grip on Government and Church legislation
• Shaping and implementing policy
• Working in partnership with others service providers locally, regionally and nationally