About The Role
Role Summary
The Youth Outreach Lead is a two-year, borough-wide mission role based at St Paul’s Shadwell, working across Tower Hamlets in partnership with local churches. The role focuses on engaging young people—particularly those with little or no connection to church—and creating accessible, relational opportunities for them to explore Christian faith.
The postholder will lead youth outreach through a mobile Youth Van, build strong partnerships with churches and communities, and develop clear pathways from initial contact into ongoing discipleship and belonging. Alongside delivering on-the-ground youth work, the role also involves strengthening local church youth ministry and contributing to the wider vision of planting new worshipping communities.
The Diocese of London is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults through the use of the Safer Recruitment practice guidance. This role is subject to acceptable pre-appointment checks, including a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check.
Duties and Responsibilities
Lead weekly youth outreach sessions across multiple locations using the Youth Van
Build and maintain partnerships with local churches and community organisations
Recruit, train, and support volunteer teams
Ensure strong safeguarding practice and accountability across all activities
Create pathways for young people to move from outreach into deeper engagement
Support and develop youth work within local churches
Track engagement and maintain clear communication across teams
Oversee the upkeep and effective use of the Youth Van and equipment
Essential
Experience working with young people
Ability to build relationships and engage diverse communities
Experience leading or supporting teams/volunteers
Strong communication and organisational skills
Ability to take initiative and work collaboratively
Understanding of safeguarding and youth work practice
Committed Christian, able to share faith naturally and support the church’s vision
Desirable
Experience of outreach or detached youth work
Experience working across churches or partnerships
Experience developing youth or discipleship programmes
Knowledge of the Tower Hamlets context
Full UK driving licence
Equal Opportunities
The Diocese of London is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce which represents our context and wider community. We are aware that those of Global Majority Heritage/United Kingdom Minority Ethnic (GMH/UKME) and disabled people are currently under-represented among our clergy and workforce, and we particularly encourage applications from those with the relevant skills and experience that will increase this representation.