Children and Young People Schools Engagement Advisor (5 year fixed term contract)

Do you want to help children and young people encounter faith through strong partnerships between church, school, and home? Do you have the experience and vision to equip churches to build creative, and missional relationships with schools?

The Diocese of Rochester is seeking a Children & Young People Schools Engagement Adviser to play a vital role in developing meaningful connections between local parish churches and school communities. Working as part of the Children, Young People and Families team, you will help shape a holistic approach to discipleship, chaplaincy, pastoral care, and faith formation for children and young people across the Diocese.

This is an exciting, relational role for someone who thrives on collaboration, creativity, and supporting others in mission.

About The Role

You will work closely with diocesan colleagues, churches, and schools to strengthen engagement and discipleship opportunities for children and young people. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Supporting churches to develop effective partnerships with schools that enable spiritual encounter, pastoral care, and discipleship

Equipping leaders and volunteers to initiate and sustain missional engagement with schools

Facilitating collaboration between church, school, and home to support holistic faith formation

Developing and sharing resources, training, and good practice across the Diocese

Supporting diocesan and local events, including chaplaincy initiatives and youth leadership opportunities

Promoting and contributing to the CYPF Enhanced Learning Pathway (Catalyst)

Building strategic partnerships with diocesan, national, and external organisations

Providing pastoral support and modelling safeguarding best practice

Representing the Diocese within national networks where appropriate

About You

We’re looking for someone who is:

• A communicant member of the Church of England (or a church in communion with it, or a member Church of Churches Together in England, the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland, or the Evangelical Alliance)
• Experienced in children’s, youth, or schools-based ministry, with relevant qualifications or equivalent experience
• Confident in training, advising, and supporting adults in ministry and volunteer roles

Relational, collaborative, and able to build strong partnerships across diverse contexts

Organised, adaptable, and creative in approach

A confident communicator with children, young people, and adult leaders

Aware of diversity, culture, and church traditions and able to nurture inclusive practice

Able to travel across the Diocese, including some evenings and weekends

An enhanced DBS check will be required.

What We Can Offer

• Flexible working, hybrid working and TOIL
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Contributory pension scheme
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and counselling service
  
  
  

The Diocese is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

The wider a group’s diversity, the smarter, wiser, and more compassionate and creative its decision making becomes.

We are committed to achieving diversity throughout our Diocese by seeking UKME/GMH colleagues and those from a wide range of backgrounds, to help us create a culture of inclusion and belonging.

If you have any questions about the role or application process, please contact the HR department at recruitment@rochester.anglican.org

Closing date for applications: 8 February 2026