The ONE Programme Host Information Pack For churches/projects looking to apply to host a ONE Programme Participant (OPP) in 2018/19 Introduction Thank you for expressing an interest in becoming a ONE Programme Host Project. This is a exciting part of the Methodist Church s commitment to young people, as individuals aged 16-23 years have the opportunity to be employed on a part-time basis to help with the development of the mission, ministry and evangelism of the Church at a local, regional and national level. By applying to be a host project, you are offering a placement for a young person to be employed on a part-time basis for a year. The salary for this employment will be paid by the Methodist Connexion. The ONE Programme is more than just a job for the young person it also includes training (delivered by the Connexional Team with the option of completing Cliff College Certificate) and other opportunities for personal development. As part of your commitment you will be expected to provide a Project Supervisor*, who will be responsible for the day to day supervision of the young person. For 2018/19 we are looking for projects with a particular emphasis on evangelism and vocation which will contributed to the development of a young persons calling so bear this in mind when considering your project. One host project will be selected in each of the 11 Learning Network regions. Projects which apply will be considered against other projects by a panel of young people and Connexional Team staff. To give yourself the best chance of selection, you are encouraged to read through this pack before carefully completing the application form. This pack contains: General information about ONE Programme Participants (OPPs)... page 3 A guide to the recruitment process for an OPP... page 5 Frequently asked questions... page 6 Criteria for project selection for the ONE Programme 2018/19... page 8 Buying in to the ONE Programme training... page 9 Timescales for host project selection... page 10 *The Project Supervisor must be DBS checked if the OPP is under the age of 18. 1
If your project decides that it would like to apply to host an OPP in 2018/19, then you will need to complete and submit a copy of: The OPP Host Project Application Form The OPP Job Description and Person Specification (you will need to tailor the local project tasks on the Job Description to your project, as well as the project-specific requirements on the Person Specification) Background information about the project that we can send to potential applicants including any images or logos you would like us to include in your OPP role advert All items need to be sent, via email, to ONE@methodistchurch.org.uk before 9am on Tuesday 6 th March 2018. The documents above should have been sent to you with this pack but, if not, please contact George Dixon-Gough, (g.dixon-gough@cliffcollege.ac.uk) ONE Programme Development Officer or your Regional Coordinator for the Learning Network (see below). The information can also be found on the www.methodist.org.uk/our-work/our-work-in-britain/children-and-youth/one-programme/oneprogramme-participants/become-a-host Contact details of the Regional Coordinators for the Learning Network: Scotland & Shetland: Gary Williams 07799900464 williamsg@methodistchurch.org.uk North West and Mann: Alison Ransome 07799900474 ransomea@methodistchurch.org.uk North East: Tricia Mitchell 07799900454 mitchellt@methodistchurch.org.uk Yorkshire Plus: Rachel McCallam 07799900478 mccallamr@methodistchurch.org.uk East Central: Jane Bingham 07799900487 binghamj@methodistchurch.org.uk East of England: Chrissie Howe 07799902579 howec@methodistchurch.org.uk Bristol & the West Midlands: Geoff Bond 07799900486 bondg@methodistchurch.org.uk South West: Alison Ball 07799902583 balla@methodistchurch.org.uk London: Jonathan Mead 07799900483 meadj@methodistchurch.org.uk Southern and Islands: Natalie Newton 07929503937 newtonn@methodistchurch.org.uk Cymru Wales: Amy Adams 07799900492 adamsa@methodistchurch.org.uk 2
General information about ONE Programme Participants (OPPs) Details of position: OPPs will be employees of the Methodist Council of Great Britain, but attached to a local project. The ONE Programme will run September 1 st August 31 st each year. Individuals will be employed for an average of 65 hours per calendar month for one year only. The post will be based within the chosen local project for the majority of these hours, although the OPP will need to be released (with reasonable notice) for Connexional commitments. These include but are not restricted to: Training dates currently under review will be confirmed before interview Induction Weekend: 7 th - 9 th September 2018 11am start (approximately 30 hours) 2 nd Training Weekend: 12 th - 14 th October 2018 (approx. 26 hrs) 3Generate Children & Youth Assembly: 23 rd - 25 th November 2018 (approx. 35 hrs) 3 rd Training Weekend: 15 th - 17 th February 2019 (approx. 26 hrs) 4 th Training Weekend: 28 th - 30 th June 2019 (approx. 26 hrs) Other items the OPPs may be asked, or would like, to attend: Cliff College Festival: 24 th - 29 th May 2019 Cliff College Graduation: 16 th November 2019 - Provisional date TBC A salary will be provided of 6825 per annum ( 7956 in London) A Connexional Line Manager for the OPP will be assigned from within the Methodist Connexional Team but the project will also be expected to identify a Project Supervisor to take the lead on day to day supervision (this person must be DBS checked if the OPP is under the age of 18). It is a requirement of the position for regular recorded meetings to occur between the Supervisor and the OPP. All Connexional travel expenses will be reimbursed at agreed rates when such travel has been authorised in advance with the Connexional Line Manager. All host project travel and other project expenses need to be covered by the project. Training Residential training (mostly at weekends) will be provided for all OPPs. Attendance at these is mandatory for the position. Please see above for a list of these dates (currently under review dates will be confirmed before interview). OPPs also have the opportunity to complete a Cliff College Certificate during their training days. Cliff College certificates are noted as a theological qualification, and are useful as APEL (Accredited Prior Experiential Learning) qualifications onto the validated courses that the college offers. The material for this is delivered during the residential training days but it is not a requirement for OPPs to complete the assignments for the certificate should they choose not to. (Please note that as with any academic certificate it is only awarded if all of the teaching is attended and the assignments are completed & passed) For further info see: www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/students/shortcourses/cliff-certificates 3
Project requirements Your project should have a connection with the Methodist Church. Maybe it is funded by the church, or in a church building, or set up or run by church members. It can be a small local charity or part of a larger national organisation. It needs to have sufficient infrastructure to support the work of an OPP. As part of the application your project will be asked to show how it fulfils the calling of the Methodist Church to respond to the gospel of God s love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission and to make more followers of Jesus Christ. (Evangelism) The project will need to complete an OPP Host Project Application Form. This will tell us about your project, its aims and objectives, what you actually do and the reasons you are applying to host a ONE Programme Participant. When completing the form, please make sure you pay close attention to the project criteria given on page 8. This will help the panel decide if your project is the right one for this year. The project will also need to write an OPP Job Description and Person Specification using the template provided with particular attention given to the main tasks the OPP will be expected to carry out within the project and Project Specific Requirements which will be used in the Application & Interview process. This is included with your application form. For advertising you projects OPP role we will provide you with a standardised OPP advert, agreed by HR, which will include your projects main tasks & contact details provided in your application and closing & interview dates confirmed with the Connexional line manager. Projects will be asked to provide any images, logos or further information about your project you would like to include in the advert. Once approved by HR, the project can then advertise their OPP role NB: The ONE Programme Participant scheme is a one-year programme, if you wish to be a host project for the following year you must start the process from the beginning. 4
A guide to the recruitment process for an OPP If successful in your application to be a host project you will be expected to advertise the job opportunity as widely as possible to recruit your OPP, and cover the cost of this. To do this you will need to work with the Connexional Line Manager and the HR & Development Team at Methodist Church House to ensure the recruitment and selection procedure complies with Methodist Church policy and the law. An application form, interview question score sheets and other necessary paperwork will be provided by the HR & Development team. Please bear in mind the following: Your project needs to assign someone to deal with enquiries about the project and the role. (Usually the supervisor who will be working with the OPP.) The interview needs to be arranged by you and the Connexional Line Manager. The interview panel, which also does the shortlisting, should ideally consist of the following: The Connexional Line Manager (who will chair the panel) A representative of your project (ideally the Project Supervisor) A young person (or other appropriate person relevant to the role) If you need any advice or help don t forget you can ask the Connexional Line Manager. Once your OPP is offered a place what will you, as the host project, need to do? As a host project you are expected to support the Connexional Line Manager to ensure an application to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for relevant pre-employment screening is completed and submitted for processing as soon as possible after the successful candidate has been selected. The HR & Development team at Methodist Church House will verify DBS applications but certified copies of supporting documents must be sent to HR & Development. (Usually the Connexional line manager will certify documents.) As a host project you must complete a risk assessment of your OPP s working environment. As a host project you will be required to provide a Project Supervisor for the OPP (who must be DBS checked if the OPP is under 18). Training and support for this role will be provided but, ideally, it should be someone who has experience in line management/coaching and who understands and is sympathetic to the specific issues, challenges and benefits of employing young people. As a host project you are responsible for ensuring that your Methodist District Chair is kept informed of the OPP s involvement with your project. Once your OPP is in place what do you, as a Host Project, need to do? Regular meetings between the OPP and the Project Supervisor must be held and a written record of these meetings must be completed. Regular meetings (at least once a quarter) of the Project Supervisor and the ONE Programme Connexional Line Manager should be held. As a host project you will be asked to complete written reports/feedback on the OPPs year 5
Frequently asked questions What age can an OPP be? OPPs are young people aged 16-23 (at the start of the OPP year, which is 1 st September). Does the host project need to be a children s or youth work project? No. This is about young people doing the work. The OPPs should be involved in meaningful works of service but could be based in a family centre, arts or worship project, fresh expressions initiative, old people s home etc. We are looking for projects with a particular emphasis on evangelism and vocation which will contribute to the development of a young person s calling so bear this in mind when considering your project. But what about OPPs under 18? Surely that s not old enough to serve? This is an opportunity for the OPP as a young person. They will not be doing the work of a professionally qualified worker or volunteers, but will be carrying out work appropriate to their age and ability. How long is an OPP s appointment for? OPPs will be appointed for one year only (September 1 st to August 31 st ). What hours will an OPP work? OPPs will be employed for an average of 65 hours per calendar month (approximately 15 hours per week) for one year only. The post will be based within your project for the majority of these hours, although the OPP will need to be released (with reasonable notice) for Connexional commitments. How large an area can the OPP cover? Young people will apply for an OPP role within the District where they live. OPPs will not be expected to be mobile across their whole District. Appointing projects cannot say that OPPs must drive and have a car. However, OPPs will be expected to travel independently to their project. Does an OPP need to be a Methodist or a Christian? No, but they do need be in sympathy with the aims of the Methodist Church and comfortable being in the company of Christians. Due to the nature of Connexionally employed posts, we are unable to have an Occupational Requirement for the post-holder to be a Christian without seeking prior approval from the Methodist Conference for each new post. We are also proud of the fact that the ONE Programme is an accessible opportunity for young people from a broad range of backgrounds and would like to do everything possible to ensure this remains the case. 6
Could young people already on placement in a District as part of other schemes be considered as OPPs? The ONE Programme is about increasing opportunity, not funding existing work. It is all about extending the reach of the Church to engage with young people and giving them opportunities. We are not looking for more workers. Instead, we are looking to benefit a young person. And this, in turn, will have the knock-on effect of benefitting our churches and communities. The ONE Programme is an open recruitment process, open to all. However, there is the option of buying into the ONE Programme training for young people employed on similar schemes/internships to the ONE Programme but who do not receive training (see page 9). How is an OPP recruited and who employs them? Host projects will be selected by a ONE Programme Participant Selection panel, made up of adults and young people, using annually-agreed selection criteria. Successful projects will have already drafted the recruitment paperwork as part of their application process. This includes the job description and person specification you have produced which is sent to Methodist Church House for the HR Department to ratify. We will provide you with a standardised OPP advert, also agreed by HR, including your projects main tasks & contact details, provided in your application and closing & interview dates confirmed with the Connexional line manager. Projects will be asked to provide any images, logos or further information about your project you would like to include in the advert. Once approved by HR, the project can then advertise and select their OPP. The project will also be provided with interview question score sheets, suggested interview questions and a suggested methodology for involving young people in the process. An OPP is an employee of the Methodist Council of Great Britain. When the interview panel appoints an OPP the HR & Development Officer will draw up the conditional offer letter and subsequent appointment papers. 7
Criteria for project selection for the ONE Programme 2018/19 The Methodist Church supports a maximum of 11 OPP Projects a year, ideally spread one in each learning and development region. If you are unsuccessful in obtaining funding you may want to explore self-funding a young person and/or buying in to the ONE Programme training package (information on the costs of this are on page 9 of this pack). Below is a brief list of criteria, indicating how ONE Programme host projects will be selected for the 2018/19 Connexional year. The kind of projects/churches* we are likely to prioritise are: Projects that are effective in meeting a genuine need in their context. Projects that are compatible with the calling of the Methodist Church to respond to the gospel of God s love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission and to make more followers of Jesus Christ (Evangelism). Priority will be given to applications that demonstrate a clear strategy for mission, evangelism and developing work that is outwardlooking. Projects that have realistic objectives and purpose for the OPPs work during the year and beyond. This will be assessed by reviewing the Job Description and Person Specification that you produce as part of the application process. Projects that encourage and value young people and that understand the issues connected to the employment of young people. Evidence of this may include identifying a clear support structure, which has the flexibility to work with individual young people, and providing the time and space required for quality workplace supervision. Whilst we would love to be in the position to fund every application, our limited budget does mean that we normally have to turn down approximately 50% of applications. We do our best to provide feedback to unsuccessful applications. *The word project or church can be interchangeable. In the list above we have used the word project for our convenience but it could be a church/circuit post. 8
Buying in to the ONE Programme training 11 OPP placements will be paid for from the Connexional budget. Decisions on which projects are funded this way are made by the ONE Programme selection panel (a group comprised of young people and adults). There are a growing number of churches across the connexion that run their own version of the ONE Programme scheme and employ young people (often referred to as Interns) in their local church or project. It is possible for these interns to buy in to the ONE Programme training. This enables locally based interns to receive appropriate training and be part of a Connexion cohort of young people undergoing a similar experience. As with the OPPs young people buying in to the training would receive a Cliff College Certificate which is noted as a theological qualification, and is useful as an APEL (Accredited Prior Experiential Learning) qualification onto other validated courses that the college offers. For further info see: www.cliffcollege.ac.uk/students/shortcourses/cliff-certificates As mentioned above - The material for this is delivered during the residential training but it is not a requirement for OPPs or those buying in to complete the assignments for the certificate should they choose not to. (Please note that as with any academic certificate it is only awarded if all of the teaching is attended and the assignments are completed & passed) The costs for this type of arrangement are set out below: Option 1 Option 2 Commitment Attendance at the 3 training weekends (Currently Sept, Oct, Feb TBC) held at Cliff College, with option to complete the Cliff College Certificate Attendance at the 3 training weekends (Currently Sept, Oct, Feb TBC) held at Cliff College, with option to complete the Cliff College Certificate plus attendance at 4 th training weekend in June, which includes a reflective debrief and connections to the Methodist Conference. Cost 475 (covers accommodation, food and training expenses) 600 (covers accommodation, food and training expenses) Please note projects buying in to the training: will need to cover the travel expenses for their young people attending the training days must have a role, paid or voluntary, for the young person (aged 18-23) of at least 2 hours a week working/volunteering in the local church/project. Please email g.dixon-gough@cliffcollege.ac.uk if you are interested in this. 9
Timescales for host project selection December 2017 January 2018: (9am) 6 th March 2018: Potential host projects are sent the Host Information Pack and Application Form. Deadline for host project applications. 6 th 16 th March: Shortlisting of project applications and selection panel. 19 th March: Deadline by which projects are informed of the application outcome. Connexional Line Managers have been identified in all regions. 2 nd choice projects decided. April 2 nd 9 th 2018 April 17 th June 18 th 2018 June 25 th -July 6 th July 1 st -July 20 th July 20 th or post interview Projects to send Job Description & Person Spec, project background information and advert, produced centrally, to HR for review All posts advertised (ASAP after this date) Closing date for OPP vacancies. Shortlisting of applications and interview invitations to be sent OPP selection interviews take place. Project Supervisors and Connexional Line Managers must be available on a date during this time to interview. Reference requests sent out by HR and DBS disclosures processed locally 10 th August 2018: All paperwork and pre-employment checks in place, ready for placements to commence. 1 st September 2018: OPP contracts begin; OPPs can start in post with duties limited until they have received safeguarding training at their induction weekend. 7 th September: Initial training weekend with induction (including safeguarding training). 10