The Church of England
Children and Young People Schools Engagement Advisor (5 year fixed term contract
The Church of England, Rochester, New York, United States
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 rolesRelational, 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
Closing date for applications: 8 February 2026
Interviews will be held on: 25 February 2026
#J-18808-Ljbffr
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 rolesRelational, 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
Closing date for applications: 8 February 2026
Interviews will be held on: 25 February 2026
#J-18808-Ljbffr