Becoming a member |  Working with us |  Opportunities to Serve |  Policies and Procedures | 

Working with us

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Introduction

We believe God has a purpose for everyone and that He wants as many people as possible to take an active part in the life of the church. Of course, there are many jobs that need to be done within the church, both locally and nationally. Many jobs can be carried out by anyone of any ability. We are particularly keen to give people with learning difficulties or similar issues a chance to contribute appropriate to their abilities and needs.

Some jobs require a particular aptitude (e.g building work), gifting or spiritual dimension (e.g preaching) and others have legal implications, regulations or guidelines that have to be followed.

We are quite happy for people to have a go at most jobs within the church, but some do require a more formal process to be followed. For example, it is sensible that some jobs are only given to people who have been attending the church for some time, or have shown themselves reliable in previous jobs. Some jobs may require references or vetting. 

Primarily, we have to be cautious wherever people are working with children or vulnerable adults, or are indeed, children or vulnerable adults themselves. The church has a duty of care to everyone connected with it and so we have to take this responsibility seriously.

Some church jobs may require that you be a full member of the church (e.g being a Trustee). Some roles in the church are not jobs you can apply for, but you have to be appointed to the role by the church, whilst a number of roles are very much spiritual callings. 

If you need help with the application process or filling in any forms, please just ask the Volunteer Co-ordinator.

These requirements are not to put you off volunteering, they are to protect everyone in the church, including you.

From July 2010, all church jobs that involve regular contact with children or vulnerable adults will have to follow new legal guidelines regarding application and vetting procedures.

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Standard Forms

Church Job Application Form 

Permission to carry out a Criminal Records Check - Self Declaration Form 

Volunteers Policy 

Equality and Diversity Policy 

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Volunteers and paid workers

As a church, we are unable to generally pay people for their work, except perhaps to cover regular or one-off expenses. This will be discussed and agreed in advance.  

Workers from outside the UK or EU

The UK Border Agency has stringent legally binding guidelines on workers from outside the UK. Please refer to the National Fellowship for guidance and advice on this as the National Fellowship is the sponsor organisation through which you would have to apply and to whom you would be ultimately responsible. 

If you would like to help out with a job at the church, first of all, have a chat with one of the leaders. If the particular job requires that you go through a formal process, it will be explained to you.

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Application Process 

Certain jobs require a formal application process which may involve completing an application form (for our records) and possibly an interview. Legally, we are becoming oblidged to be more formal with people who may be working with children or vulnerable adults.

We have a standard Application form for all church jobs.

Job Description

A job description will set out the requirements of the job. The frequency, number of hours etc will probably be open to negotiation to fit with your availability. 

References

Some jobs may require references. These are more likely to be character references.  

CRB

Some jobs will require a Criminal Records Bureau check to take place. Current legislation allows for infrequent contact with children and vulnerable adults not requiring a CRB. This allows for a trial period. If it is decided that you want to increase contact and become a more regular volunteer, then you will need a CRB completed before this can start so you will have to complete the Self Declaration Form.

Probabtionary Period

You will serve a mutually agreed probabtionary period (set out in the job description) at the end of which either side may terminate the job. Providied both sides are happy, you can then continue with the job for the rest of the duration of the job.

Job Duration

Some jobs will have a set duration after which the job ceases. Some jobs can continue and you are welcome to ask to continue if you wish and the need still exists.

Training

We will do our best to ensure you are properly trained to carry out your duties and to be in compliance with any legislation.

Management and supervision

You will have a daily supervisor who will inform you of your duties and provide feedback to you on how things are going.

Problems

If you have a problem, you can discuss things with the person who acts as your supervisor or the Volunteer Co-ordinator who is a member of the leadership team. 

Finishing with us

We hope that you would feel able to carry on with a job for many years and really enjoy it. However, we understand that sometimes circumstances change and we have to reassess our commitments. If you can give us as long as possible to replace you with someone else, that would always be appreciated, but we realise that this is not always possible.

In the rare and unlikely event, that the church feels you are not suitable to continue in the job and has to terminate your service, you will be advised.