Appointment of qualified Children / Youth / Community workers

Home For churches Employees and Volunteers Lay Employment Resource Appointment of qualified Children …

Recognised Qualifications

Children, Youth and community work requires specialist knowledge and skills. This is recognised through a structure of professional qualifications and / or experience.

Churches and circuits preparing to recruit a Children and Youth or Community Worker must consider whether they will require a relevant qualification in children/ youth work. Grants from some sources may be conditional upon a JNC qualification.

There are a number of qualifications which recognise the specialist and skilled nature of the work. Some qualifications are recognised by the JNC and by the NYA (National Youth Agency) or its Welsh equivalent.

JNC is the Joint Negotiating Committee for Children, Youth and Community Workers representing:

Employers of children, youth and community workers – the Local Government Association (LGA), the Welsh Joint Education Committee, the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS), Community Matters and the Council for Wales Voluntary Youth Services.
Staff – the Community and Youth Workers Union (CYWU), National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education (NATFHE), National Union of Teachers (NUT), and UNISON.

This body negotiates pay and conditions for youth and community workers and validates courses offering training for those wishing to become qualified workers. This principle applies whether the worker is full or part time.

As well as a JNC national qualification some people train part time with their local Youth Service or similar organisation. In many cases these local courses are also recognised by JNC. As training is more limited the associated salary scales are slightly lower.

If the intention is to employ a Lay Employee, whose work will include a small proportion of youth or community work, it may not be appropriate to require a youth qualification.

Terms and Conditions of EmploymentChurch employers are not required to follow JNC pay and conditions but should be aware and take account of the fact that other employers use them.

Salary
The employing body needs to agree what salary will be offered. You should expect to pay a higher salary if you require a JNC recognised qualification.

JNC publishes a national, incremental pay structure for qualified and unqualified salaries, and for London Area Allowances (Inner, Outer, Fringe). The bands are reviewed and increased annually taking effect normally from 1 September. The HR Team at Methodist Church notifies District Lay Employment Secretaries of the new rates when the information is received.

Information about JNC scales and advice about starting salaries can be obtained from the District Lay Employment Secretary. For further information and practical guidance about setting the salaries for lay employees please visit the section on Pay and Pension.

Other Terms and Conditions of Service
The JNC recommends certain arrangements in respect of other terms and conditions of employment Church employers are advised to agree arrangements for hours, annual leave, sick pay and pension which are consistent with local arrangements.

Residential Accommodation
There is no need to offer accommodation. If accommodation is available and accepted then a formal residency arrangement must be formalised.

Training
Children and Youth / Community Workers may attend the annual conference for Lay employees. (Details are available from the Children and Youth Team at Methodist Church House.)