Employing Youth and Children's Workers is a simple guide that thoroughly examines this process for the growing number of churches that are prioritising work with young people.
Its authors - one of whom is youth work adviser for the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds, while the other was, until his untimely death last year, a children's work adviser for the Diocese of Chelmsford - promote the employment process as a detailed and systematic course of action. They start with the importance of laying down firm foundations ("building on rock" as the blurb has it) and ending with scenarios of the problems experienced in practice.
When reading books that aim to offer practical support, it can be difficult to sort out the detail that is necessary from that which is excessive. In this case, the authors have got the balance more or less right.
However, on occasion I did find aspects that I thought rather unnecessary. For example, the basic information about application forms, references and the interview process.
Nevertheless, the book did highlight important yet often overlooked necessities, such as the need for a vigorous research process to ensure that youth work development is built on strong foundations. In particular, the exploration element highlighted in research is one often left too late and consequently there is much unused potential in churches and communities. However, a realisation of the need for such a lengthy research process is itself a reason why some may avoid it.
Similarly, the stage after research, highlighted here as planning, is well presented and helps to identify the action needed and the end result.
Importantly, this is explained in detail with examples, which again is necessary, as often people consider their end result with no realistic or coherent course of action or, alternatively, plan a course of development with no end goal in mind.
The final sections of the book look at job descriptions, responsibilities and supervision and may on the one hand possibly seem unnecessary, yet on the other hand they make the book more marketable to a wider audience who may want such detailed information. Note that the book does not just deal with paid employees, but also considers how volunteers might be best used and supported.
One possible shortcoming was that the book did not go beyond providing information for small churches, which may wish to only reach people in the neighbourhood, to offering advice to larger city churches that may wish to reach a much greater number of people and therefore need more than one paid youth worker. Much of the information seemed to be more relevant to smaller churches.
That said, the layout was excellent and intersected by short scenarios, relevant to particular points. In addition, the varying visual formats used, such as flow diagrams and bullet points, would be useful to people who may wish to pick out points without reading it all. All the chapters were also a good length and not full of jargon, which is often a downside to youth work books.
Additionally, a full set of appendices, policies and procedures made the book understandable and accessible to those who may be new to youth work.
