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.
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 before 9am on Tuesday 6th March 2018.
The documents above should have been sent to you with this pack but, if not, please contact George Dixon-Gough, () 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/one-programme-participants/become-a-host
Contact details of the Regional Coordinators for the Learning Network:
Scotland & Shetland: Gary Williams 07799900464
North West and Mann: Alison Ransome 07799900474
North East: Tricia Mitchell 07799900454
Yorkshire Plus: Rachel McCallam 07799900478
East Central: Jane Bingham 07799900487
East of England: Chrissie Howe 07799902579
Bristol & the West Midlands: Geoff Bond 07799900486
South West: Alison Ball 07799902583
London: Jonathan Mead 07799900483
Southern and Islands: Natalie Newton 07929503937
Cymru|Wales: Amy Adams 07799900492
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 1st – August 31st 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:
□ Induction Weekend: 7th - 9th September 2018 11am start (approximately 30 hours)
□ 2nd Training Weekend: 12th - 14th October 2018 (approx. 26 hrs)
□ 3Generate Children & Youth Assembly: 23rd - 25th November 2018 (approx. 35 hrs)
□ 3rd Training Weekend: 15th - 17th February 2019 (approx. 26 hrs)
□ 4th Training Weekend: 28th - 30th June 2019 (approx. 26 hrs)
· Other items the OPPs may be asked, or would like, to attend:
□ Cliff College Festival: 24th - 29th May 2019
□ Cliff College Graduation: 16th 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
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.
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
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 1st 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 1st to August 31st).
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 to 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 can only recruit specifically for Christians ifit is clearly an Occupational Requirement for the post-holder to be a Christian to do the work being advertised. The Connexional Line manager would need to show that this is the case. We are also proud of the fact that the ONE Programme is an accessible opportunity for young from a broad range of backgrounds and would like to do everything possible to ensure this remains the case.
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).