Parish of the Sacred Heart, Preston
Role Descriptions
Please note that this list is not exhaustive and there may be other roles that require a DBS check. If you are involved in a new project and cannot find the relevant role description, please contact the Safeguarding Office.
Please press ‘Ctrl’ and click on the links in the table of contents or scroll down to see the relevant role.
- Altar Server
- Catechist
- Catechist Leader
- Celebration Organiser
- Children’s Liturgy
- Children’s Liturgy Leader
- Eucharistic Minister
- Greeter
- Home Visitor/Supporter
- Local Safeguarding Representative
- Music Group Leader
- Parent Leader
- Parish Youth Worker
- Sacristan
Role Description – Altar Server
The purpose of this role is to work with Altar Servers in the parish, assisting at Mass and other Liturgies.
Main Responsibilities to:
•To help with the training of Altar Servers.
•To ensure that Altar Servers act in accordance with liturgical guidance.
•Liaise with the Parish Priest.
•Adhere to Safeguarding and Health & Safety policies and procedures.
•Report any concerns.
•Monitor good practice and implement changes where necessary to enhance quality and safety.
Person Specification:
•An ability to relate to both children and parents and enjoy working with children.
•Commitment to the teaching of the Catholic Church.
•Willingness to give time for preparation and training.
•Aged 18 or above.
•Ability to work as a member of a team.
Role Description - Catechist
The purpose of this role is to engage the children and young people with the material provided so as to deepen their understanding of what it means to be a Christian and a Catholic.
Main Responsibilities to:
•Work with children on the material provided in the spirit of sharing their own faith.
•Attend pre-session meetings organised by the Catechist Leader.
•Adhere to Safeguarding and Health & Safety policies and procedures.
•Attend an evaluation and a pre-operation meeting between units with the whole Sacramental Programme team.
•Undergo relevant training.
Person Specification:
•An understanding of how children learn.
•An ability to relate to both children and adults and enjoy working with children.
•A commitment to the teachings of the Catholic Church, Sacramental Programme and parish life.
•Willingness to give time for preparation and co-ordination activities.
•An ability to organise and disseminate materials.
•Aged 18 or above.
Role Description –Catechist Leader
The purpose of this role is to engage the children and young people with the material provided so as to deepen their understanding of what it means to be a Christian and a Catholic.
Main Responsibilities to:
•Work with children on the material provided in the spirit of sharing their own faith.
•Organise the venue with concern for child protection and health & safety issues
•Organise catechist helpers with a pre-session morning
•Adhere to Safeguarding and Health & Safety policies and procedures.
•Attend an evaluation and a pre-operation meeting between units with the whole Sacramental Programme team.
•Undergo relevant training.
Person Specification:
•An understanding of how children learn.
•An ability to relate to both children and adults and enjoy working with children.
•A commitment to the teachings of the Catholic Church, Sacramental Programme and parish life.
•Willingness to give time for preparation and co-ordination activities.
•An ability to organise and disseminate materials.
•Aged 18 or above.
Role Description – Celebration Organiser
The purpose of this role is to enable children and families to express the development of their faith through a celebration in the Parish.
Main Responsibilities to:
•Plan and organise a celebration using appropriate materials
•Liaise with the Parish Priest
•Prepare the children for the celebration liaising with the school
•Help prepare the parents by attending the parent’s session and/or liaising with the Parent Leader
•Ensure parents receive relevant information and dates for the celebration
•Adhere to Safeguarding and Health & Safety policies and procedures
•Attend and evaluation and a pre-operation meeting between units and the whole Sacramental programme team
•Ensure appropriate consents for photos and any other media recording device
Person Specification:
•Good communication skills both written and oral
•Word processing skills
•Ability to organise and co-ordinate activities
•Ability to demonstrate creativity in planning the celebrations
•Commitment to the teachings of the Catholic Church, Sacramental programme and parish life
•Willingness to give time for preparation and co-ordination activities
•Aged 18 or above
Role Description – Children’s Liturgy Leader
The purpose of this role is to work with pre-school and primary school children to provide an adapted Liturgy of the Word for them during Mass on Sundays and Major Feasts and to organise children’s liturgy helpers.
The Children’s Liturgy leader will:
•Work under the supervision of Parish Priest.
•Undertake tasks, duties and services as agreed with the Parish Priest and the children’s liturgy team.
•Work collaboratively with those they are supporting and with other helpers.
•Follow Safeguarding good practice guidelines.
•Abide by the Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
Main Responsibilities to:
•Work with others to form and inform a children’s liturgy group with regular planning meetings.
•Arrange for parents of the children and the parish community, to be informed of the aim and content of the liturgy group.
•Prepare the venue and ensure the safety and well-being of the children and to conduct the Celebration of the Word with them.
•Liaise with the priest at the parish liturgy and any other appropriate ministers.
•Organise the provision of the necessary books and equipment with the support of the parish.
•Ensure that the children’s liturgy is conducted in accordance with the Diocesan Safeguarding and Health & Safety policies and procedures.
•Report any concerns.
•Monitor good practice and implement changes where necessary to enhance quality and safety.
Person Specification:
•To have an understanding of the needs of children.
•An ability to relate to both children and parents and enjoy working with children.
•Commitment to the teaching of the Catholic Church, Liturgical Programme and parish life.
•Willingness to give time for preparation and training.
•Aged 18 or above.
•Ability to work as a member of a team.
Role Description – Children’s Liturgy
The purpose of this role is to work with pre-school and primary school children to provide an adapted Liturgy of the Word for them during Mass on Sundays and Major Feasts.
Main Responsibilities to:
•Work with others to form and inform a children’s liturgy group with regular planning meetings.
•Arrange for parents of the children and the parish community, to be informed of the aim and content of the liturgy group.
•Prepare the venue and ensure the safety and well-being of the children and to conduct the Celebration of the Word with them.
•Liaise with the priest at the parish liturgy and any other appropriate ministers.
•Organise the provision of the necessary books and equipment with the support of the parish.
•Ensure that the children’s liturgy is conducted in accordance with the Diocesan Safeguarding and Health & Safety policies and procedures.
•Report any concerns.
•Monitor good practice and implement changes where necessary to enhance quality and safety.
Person Specification:
•An ability to relate to both children and parents and enjoy working with children.
•Commitment to the teaching of the Catholic Church, Liturgical Programme and parish life.
•Willingness to give time for preparation and training.
•Aged 18 or above.
•Ability to work as a member of a team.
Role Description – Eucharistic Minister
The purpose of this role is to bring the Eucharist to parishioners, including into the residences of housebound people.
Responsible to:
•Parish Priest and Co-ordinator of Eucharistic Ministers.
Main Responsibilities to:
•To administer the Eucharist in Church.
•To bring the Eucharist from the Parish Church to people in the community who are unable to attend church due to health, age or disability.
•To follow the instructions given by the Diocese for the reverend conveying of the Eucharist and to follow the appropriate format for administration of the Eucharist.
•When visiting people either in hospital or a residential home, to respect the boundaries and regulations of the organisation, particularly by notifying someone in a supervisory position, of your presence in the home.
•To be respectful of the homes of people in the community.
•To be willing to administer the Eucharist prayerfully.
•To be aware of difficulties for some people with swallowing the Eucharist and therefore accommodating the size of the portion of the host to enable comfortable reception of the Sacrament.
•To be sensitive to the fact that doctors, nurses or social services may call just before or whilst the Sacrament is being administered and that medical care should take precedence.
•Willingness to talk with the people to whom the Sacrament is being brought, recognising them as part of the Body of Christ.
•To maintain accurate records of any concerns about the individual.
Person Specification:
•To have reverence for the Eucharist.
•To have a clear understanding of the Eucharist as a Sacrament of unity, reconciliation, community and individual empowerment and healing.
•To accept the Church’s teaching on the Eucharist and the Mass.
•To be available to bring the Eucharist on a regular basis to those in need.
•To recognise the Jesus is present in the Eucharist and in the people to whom it is being given.
•To have the ability to relate to, and respect those who are vulnerable.
•To be willing to attend preparation, team building and mandatory Safeguarding training.
Role Description –Greeter/Welcomer
The purpose of the role is to ensure that people are welcomed to mass and other church functions and to ensure that support available to people who need it.
Main Responsibilities:
•To provide a positive welcome to people arriving at church and hand out service sheets, hymnal and other information.
•To escort children to the presbytery for liturgy, acting as a support adult as necessary in children’s liturgy.
•To provide personal support on an as and when basis, e.g assistance of people who are unwell or need support because of mobility difficulties or other.
•To report any concerns of a safeguarding nature in line with Hallam procedures.
Person specification:
•A caring and respectful attitude
•Ability to relate to all who attend including children and vulnerable adults
•Ability to work as a member of a team
•Understanding of the boundaries of confidentiality
•Willingness to attend basic Safeguarding training
• Aged 18 or above
Role Description – Home Visitor/Supporter
The purpose of this role is to provide individualised support to people in need in the parish.
Main Responsibilities to:
•To work with others in providing a support service.
•To visit regularly and engage with those in need on a face to face basis.
•To provide social and other support as agreed with the co-ordinating team.
•To ensure that there is regular communication about what is happening in the parish.
•To facilitate the involvement of the person in need with full life of the parish and the Sacraments.
•To maintain appropriate records.
•To ensure that the work is conducted in accordance with Diocesan Safeguarding procedures.
Person Specification:
•A caring attitude.
•An ability to relate to vulnerable adults.
•Commitment to working as a member of a team.
•Willingness to give time for preparation, co-ordinating and training.
•An understanding of boundaries, confidentiality, respect for the person and their home.
•Aged 18 or above.
Role Description – Local Safeguarding Representative
The role of the Local Safeguarding Representative is to help the parish community to be aware of safeguarding issues and to guide those working with children, young people and vulnerable adults so that policies and procedures are understood and followed. He or she will also need to make sure that any concerns or allegations of possible harm to children, young people or vulnerable adults receive a prompt response and are referred appropriately.
The responsibilities of the Local Safeguarding Representative include:
1.To keep an up-to-date record of relevant activities within the parish, together with details of the helpers and leaders involved.
2.To keep in touch with the leaders of these activities, to help them ensure safe practice, following the principles outlined in the local parish pack and guidelines and in the policies of the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Service (CSAS).
3.To ensure that all volunteers and paid staff are recruited according to Diocesan policy, and to act as identity verifier when Criminal Record Bureau checks are required.
4.To ensure that parishioners know that, together with the Parish Priest, they are available to be consulted on safeguarding matters.
5.To keep in touch with the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser and Co-ordinator.
The personal qualities required of the representative include:
1.To be trustworthy and sensitive to the needs and feelings of others.
2.To understand the importance of confidentiality, and when it is necessary to share information with those who need to know.
3.To be able to work in co-operation with the Parish Priest and with the leaders of relevant parish activities.
4.To be willing to undertake training and contribute to the mutual support of representatives in the area.
5.To be willing to apply for an enhanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau.
The Diocese can offer to the Representative:
1,Direct support and advice from the safeguarding Team.
2.Training in Safeguarding awareness, in the safe recruitment of volunteers and in other relevant issues.
3.Support and advice through any incident of concern or allegation of abuse.
NB: It is expected that any potential representative will have the backing of their Parish Priest and of the parish as a whole.
Role Description – Music Group Leader
The purpose of this role is to enable full participation of children and young people in music.
Responsible to:
•The Parish Council.
Main Responsibilities to:
•Plan and organise music activities, including contribution to services.
•Liaise with the Parish Priest.
•Liaise with parents of young people as necessary.
•Ensure parents receive relevant information and dates of the events and related meetings.
•To maintain accurate records of concerns about children/young people in the music group, in line with Safeguarding procedures.
•To maintain accurate records of any concerns about the conduct of adults to children and report in line with Safeguarding procedures.
•To ensure that adult helpers attend relevant training.
Person Specification:
•Proven musical skills and interest.
•Good communication skills both written and oral.
•Ability to organise and co-ordinate activities.
•Ability to demonstrate creativity in planning the musical activities.
•Commitment to the teachings of the Catholic Church, Sacramental programme and parish life.
•Willingness to give time for preparation and co-ordination activities.
•Aged 18 or above.
•To be willing to attend mandatory Safeguarding training.
Role Description –Parent Leader
The purpose of this role is to engage the parents in their own faith development to enable them to encourage their own children through the Sacramental programme and faith development.
Main Responsibilities to:
•Lead a parent session for each unit using appropriate materials
•Organise an agenda for the parent’s meeting
•Prepare and organise the relevant material
•Organise the venue with concern for health and safety issues
•Adhere to Safeguarding and Health and Safety policies and procedures
•Attend and evaluation and pre-operation meeting between units with the whole Sacramental Programme team
Person Specification:
•Good communication skills
•Commitment to the teachings of the Catholic Church, Sacramental programme and parish life
•Willingness to give time for preparation and co-ordination activities
•An ability to organise and disseminate materials
•Aged 18 or above
Role Description – Parish Youth Worker
The purpose of this role is to work as a member of a team to provide a place within the parish where young people can interact with each other and become more involved in parish life.
Main Responsibilities:
•To be present on a consistent basis at youth ministry events.
•To be present early (15 minutes) to help with setup, to greet the young people as they arrive and make them feel welcome.
•To stay for a short period after the event to help with clearing up.
•To participate in all activities, talk and work with young people prior, during and after events to foster relationships and build a sense of community.
•To get to know young people’s names.
•To work under the guidance of the leadership team.
•To attend relevant training, including Diocesan Safeguarding training sessions.
•To act as advocates for young people in the wider parish communities.
Person Specification:
Leaders and helpers to be over 18+ and will have:-
•Commitment to building relationships with young people.
•Understanding of the needs of young people.
•Understanding of Safeguarding and Health & Safety requirements.
•Understanding of the core vision.
•Commitment to participate in relevant training.
Role Description - Sacristan
The purpose of this role is to service the Church in readiness for liturgical celebrations.
Main Responsibilities to:
•To prepare the Sanctuary for all forms of liturgy.
•To ensure that all sacred vessels are properly cleansed and stored.
•To ensure all altar linen is clean and in plentiful supply.
•To order altar breads and altar wine in a timely manner.
•To assist when necessary with allocation of liturgical garments for altar staff.
•To work together with others to ensure that this Ministry is conducted in accordance with the Diocesan Safeguarding Procedure.
•To work under the guidance of the parish clergy and in line with Canon Law.
Person Specification
•To have attained the age of 18.
•To understand the liturgical requirements in line with seasons and liturgies
•To be willing to attend meetings for on-going spiritual formation as required.
•To have a care for sacred objects and vestments.