The National Charter for Youth and Children’s Workers is a set of seven promises Churches make about the practices and principals they will use in the employment and support of their Children’s Worker.
1. We will pray and support.
We the congregations in the United Benefice of Mears Ashby, Hardwick and Sywell cum Overstone believe that our Children’s Worker needs spiritual support in her work with young people. We therefore promise to pray for our Children’s Worker and to keep her needs as a high priority in the prayer life of the Church.
2. We will give space for retreat and reflection.
We the congregations believe that taking time to think and pray is just as essential for our Children’s Worker as organising events and meeting young people. We therefore promise to encourage our Children’s Worker to use part of her schedule to take time for retreat, reflection and personal development.
3. We will provide ongoing training and development.
We in the Benefice believe that learning the skills of Children’s work is an ongoing process and that it is important to invest continually in professional development. We therefore promise to set aside time and money to provide this for our Children’s Worker.
4. We will give a full day of rest each week.
We believe that taking regular time off helps maintain our Children’s Worker’s passion and energy for her work with the young people in our Benefice. We therefore promise to actively encourage our Children’s Worker to take one day away from their role each week to do something different and to ensure that she works only the hours set out in the terms of her Contract.
5. We will share responsibility.
We the congregations in this Benefice believe that having a Children’s Worker does not release the rest of the Church from their responsibilities towards our young people. We promise to encourage everyone to play an active part in volunteering, praying and supporting our young people.
6. We will strive to be an excellent employer.
We believe that it is important to have clear structures and procedures for recruiting and employing a Children’s Worker and to provide supportive management structures. We promise to follow good practice guidelines in the way in which we employ our Children’s Worker.
7. We will celebrate and appreciate.
We the parishioners and congregations in the Benefice believe it is vital to acknowledge what our Children’s Worker is doing and the commitment she has made to work with our young people. We promise to make our Children’s Worker know that she is appreciated and that we will celebrate her achievements.