Job Description
Job Title: Youth Pastor
Salary: £27,000 to £31,000 based on experience
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (including some evening and weekend work)
Location: St Nicholas Church Fleetwood
Responsible to: The Vicar (Rev’d Carolyn Leitch)
1. Background
St Nicholas Church is one of two Anglican parishes in Fleetwood, a town on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire. With a population of approximately 26,000, Fleetwood is an area of significant social and economic deprivation. Six of its wards are in the top 10% most deprived areas in England. The town faces challenges such as high levels of benefit dependency, social housing, houses in multiple occupation, crime, and lower- than-average life expectancy.
Despite these challenges, St Nicholas Church has seen a remarkable period of renewal since 2019. Average weekly attendance has grown from 20 to over 100. A significant number of new families and children have joined the congregation, particularly at the 4pm “Family & Co” service, which regularly welcomes around 11 primary-age children. In addition, our Friday Church, a pre-school initiative serves approximately 25 children with their parents/carers, and a small but faithful group of children attend the 10:45am service.
In partnership with The Boathouse Youth (BHY)—a respected youth charity with three centres in Blackpool— we have recently completed a purpose-built youth centre in the grounds of St Nic’s. This £1.2 million centre, funded by the Russell Haldane Trust opened in May 2024. This centre provides a unique opportunity for our Church to build new and meaningful relationships with the young people of Fleetwood.
2. Purpose of the role of Youth Pastor at St Nic’s
Our Vision:
· To establish and lead a Christian spiritual strand within the youth work of BHY at St Nicholas.
· To continue developing the church’s existing youth and family programmes.
· To strengthen partnerships with the two local primary schools in the parish, engaging children and families through assemblies, clubs, and other outreach initiatives.
The Youth Pastor’s duties will involve:
· Collaborating with BHY to offer spiritual development and opportunities for young people to explore
life’s big questions and the Christian faith.
· Encouraging and equipping volunteers from within the congregation to support youth and family ministry.
· Leading and expanding the “Family & Co” service held on Sundays at 4pm.
· Developing discipleship and teaching programmes for young people, including a regular Sunday evening youth church.
· Building stronger relationships with families connected to Little Gang (Friday Church).
· Ensuring safeguarding best practices and Safer Recruitment procedures are consistently followed.
What will success look like?
· Doubling attendance at the “Family & Co” service.
· Growing the number of young people at the 10:45am Sunday service by introducing age-appropriate activities and support.
· Engaging with families attending Little Gang, with the goal of encouraging regular attendance in Sunday worship.
· Establishing a thriving Sunday evening youth church.
· Developing and sustaining a committed team of Christian youth leaders.
3. Key Relationships
Building relationships with both existing and new families will be key to this position. It will also be important to develop strong connections with parish representatives, church volunteers and the leadership team of BHY and its volunteers.
. Line Manager: Rev’d Carolyn Leitch, Incumbent of St Nicholas Church
· Mentoring: Through the Blackburn Diocese Ignite Project for Youth Leaders
· Support: Deputy CEO of BHY, Peter Crossley
4. Person Specification
Education and Training
English Language GCSE, grade C or above or equivalent
Five GCSE qualifications, grade C or above or equivalent
Qualification in youth work or theology (desirable)
Knowledge and Skills
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to lead and develop teams of volunteers
Understanding of safeguarding and safer recruitment practices
Experience
Experience planning and delivering worship and teaching appropriate to young people
Experience working with children and young people in a church or faith-based context
Experience working in partnership with schools
Personal Qualities
Committed Christian, with a passion for youth and families' ministry
Given the nature and context of the work, it is an occupational requirement that the post holder should be a communicant member of the Church of England or a full member of a church within Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, in order to fulfil the main purpose of the post. This post is therefore exempt under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010.
Creative in areas of lesson planning, event organization, problem solving and relational engagement.
Resilient in areas of spiritual endurance, objection handling, emotional strength and adaptability
Loyal: to God’s call, to God’s church. Loyal in all relationships with a proven track record of confidentiality and trust
Outline of Terms and Conditions
Employer: St Nicholas Parochial Church Council
Contract type: Permanent
Salary: £27,000 - £31,000
Hours: This is a full-time role based on a 37.5 hour working week, but the post holder may be required to work additional hours as to meet the reasonable requirements of the role. The post holder will be entitled to time off in lieu for attending meetings outside normal office hours which may include evenings and weekends.
Location: The post holder will be based at St Nicholas Church Fleetwood, with office provision within the BHY
Pension: 3% paid by employer 5% paid by employee Annual leave: 28 days including statutory public holidays Probationary period: Six months
Notice Period: During probation one week’s notice of termination of employment, thereafter 8 weeks’ notice
Expenses: To be agreed
Right to work: The post-holder must have the right to reside and work in the UK. An enhanced DBS check will be required to be in place prior to the start date.
Diversity - The Diocese of Blackburn believes that diversity enables us to thrive and develop and is committed to race equality, welcoming applications from UK Minority Ethnic/ Global Majority Heritage backgrounds
The Diocese of Blackburn 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.
Preparation of Job Description
Author of Job Description Rev'd Carolyn Leitch
Date signed off 05/08/2025