Equip Trainer Early Years and Children

Location:

Hybrid based at St Johns House, 155-163 The Rock, Bury BL9 0ND

Salary: £33,971 per annum (Diocesan Pay-scale Band 4.1 spot grade)

Hours:

Full time 35 hours per week

Contract Type:
Fixed term to 31/12/2029 with the possibility of extension to 31/12/2033 subject to funding from the Church Commissioners

The Diocese of Manchester is stepping with renewed hope into a season shaped by our Growing Younger priority a bold commitment to ensure that every child has access to a flourishing children, youth and families ministry and that the number of young active disciples across our diocese can be doubled in the years ahead. This vision is reshaping how we train, support and invest in those who nurture faith in our youngest generations.

Within this movement, the Equip programme plays a central role, offering structured formation that increases the confidence and skills of lay and ordained leaders involved in ministry with children and their families.

The Equip Trainer - Early Years and Children will be an important part of that story. The post-holder will work as part of the Equip team to deliver high quality training that supports clergy, volunteers and childrens practitioners across Manchester Diocese. They will help leaders grow in their ability to welcome children well, to nurture them in their faith, and to shape environments where families experience church as a place of belonging, joy and discipleship.

Through this work the post-holder will contribute directly to the wider diocesan vision of becoming a worshipping, growing and transforming Christian presence within every community.

• Engage deeply with those who work with early years and children.
• Deliver training across Equip ALM, Equip Weekend, Equip Bespoke and Equip Clergy pathways, providing foundational skills and context‑specific support for ministry with children aged 0‑11.
• Help leaders think creatively about early years ministry, including establishing distinctly Christian toddler groups, shaping early years worship such as Wiggle Worship, and developing age‑appropriate discipleship rooted in Scripture.
• Curate and source content for Equip Spotlight events.
• Maintain a database of local and national trainers.
• Host Equip training events across Manchester Diocese, ensuring clarity, warmth and confidence.
• Assist in the ongoing development of Equip Hubs spaces for support, networking and best practice sharing.
• Contribute to Equip Connect online sessions and the Equip podcast.
• Work with Administrator and Digital Communications colleagues to secure training venues and create publicity materials.

• Minimum five years of experience working with early years and children in a church or school setting.
• Confidence in delivering training or public speaking in varied contexts.
• Knowledge of child development, early years ministry approaches, effective discipleship practices and local parish/school realities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, social media, Canva and AI tools.
• Collaborative, self‑managed and responsive to changing needs.
• Practising Christian, committed to the mission and values of the Church of England, able to work across traditions.
• Committed to racial justice, inclusion and the flourishing of every child.
• Willingness to travel across the diocese, including evenings and weekends.

Occupational requirement: practising Christian (Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010).

Subject to enhanced DBS check, proof of right to work in the UK and satisfactory references.

To apply , please click the APPLY button. Applications should be submitted via laptop or desktop rather than mobile device. Please refer to the job description and person specification for further information.

Wednesday 18 March 2026 at 12 noon

Tuesday 24 March 2026 at St Johns House, Bury, BL9 0ND

• Early Years Practitioner
• Early Years Trainer
• Childrens Ministry Leader
• Childrens Worker
• Family Worker
• Youth and Childrens Worker
• Christian Childrens Ministry
• Church Childrens Worker
• Early Years Education
• Church Trainer
• Christian Educator
• Toddler Group Leader

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