23569 - Part Time Free Church Chaplain

The Methodist Church in Britain; Wollaton; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working within the UK

Pension schemes

Annual leave pro-rata

Job-share option

Training programmes

Season ticket loan

Job summary

The Methodist Church in Britain is seeking a part-time Free Church chaplain to join a multifaith team at an HM Prison and Probation Service establishment. The role focuses on worship, pastoral care for prisoners and staff, and engagement with diverse faiths. Hours are to be confirmed, with job-share options possible.

The post requires accredited minister status in a Free Church denomination and a theology or religious studies qualification, with hybrid UK-wide working possible.

Qualifications

• Formal recognised qualification in theology or religious study, normally UK undergraduate diploma standard.
• Specific training for the qualifications required for the area of specialism.

Responsibilities

• Plan and lead worship, meditation, prayer and faith-specific meetings, and provide chaplaincy cover at all times
• Provide pastoral care, spiritual welfare and crisis support to prisoners, staff and families, including people of other faiths and none
• Help deliver PSI 05/2016 Faith and Pastoral Care for Prisoners and run faith and non-faith courses
• Give faith guidance, liaising with the Faith and Belief Adviser as appropriate
• Mentor chaplains and volunteers, including after incidents, and nurture chaplaincy and Official Prison Visitor volunteers
• Support the Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) process
• Promote faith and belief events, and source literature, artefacts and materials
• Contribute to training for staff and volunteers, including Faith Awareness Training
• Represent the chaplaincy at establishment meetings and boards, and contribute to local policy and practice
• Build links with faith communities and agencies to support prisoners on release, including work with Probation Approved Premises
• Complete administration, data collection, analysis and target reporting
• Take on additional roles agreed with the Managing Chaplain, such as Family Liaison Officer or volunteer coordinator

Skills

English proficiency

Multifaith awareness

CPD commitment

Education

Theology or religious studies degree

UK undergraduate diploma standard

Job description

A Free Church chaplain joins the multifaith chaplaincy team at an HM Prison and Probation Service establishment on a permanent, part-time basis. The work centres on worship, faith meetings and pastoral care for prisoners and staff of the chaplain's own faith, and people of other faiths and none. The post is non-rotational and non-operational, with hours to be confirmed and job share considered. Applicants must be accredited ministers of an eligible Free Church denomination, and hold a theology or religious study qualification.

What the job involves

• Plan and lead worship, meditation, prayer and faith-specific meetings, and provide chaplaincy cover at all times
• Provide pastoral care, spiritual welfare and crisis support to prisoners, staff and families, including people of other faiths and none
• Help deliver PSI 05/2016 Faith and Pastoral Care for Prisoners and run faith and non-faith courses
• Give faith guidance, liaising with the Faith and Belief Adviser as appropriate
• Mentor chaplains and volunteers, including after incidents, and nurture chaplaincy and Official Prison Visitor volunteers
• Support the Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) process
• Promote faith and belief events, and source literature, artefacts and materials
• Contribute to training for staff and volunteers, including Faith Awareness Training
• Represent the chaplaincy at establishment meetings and boards, and contribute to local policy and practice
• Build links with faith communities and agencies to support prisoners on release, including work with Probation Approved Premises
• Complete administration, data collection, analysis and target reporting
• Take on additional roles agreed with the Managing Chaplain, such as Family Liaison Officer or volunteer coordinator

Qualifications

• Formal recognised qualification in theology or religious study, normally UK undergraduate diploma standard
• Specific training for the qualifications required for the area of specialism

Experience

• Ordained chaplains have completed a formal professional formation process approved by their denomination

Skills & knowledge

• Ability to fulfil all spoken and written aspects of the role in English, or Welsh where specified
• Understanding of other faiths and beliefs as part of a multifaith team
• Regular continuing professional development, recorded and assessed annually for endorsement

Checks & eligibility

• DBS Standard check
• Counter Terrorism Check
• Security and identity checks before taking up post
• Eligible under Civil Service nationality rules

Other

• Lay or ordained minister of an eligible Free Church denomination, accredited by it
• Meets the HMPPS Free Churches faith and belief eligibility requirements (January 2023)

What’s offered

• Annual leave, pro-rata, with the holiday year running from 1 March
• 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) for bank, public and privilege holidays, added to annual leave
• Choice of two Civil Service pension schemes
• Hybrid working where business need allows, within the UK only
• Flexible, part-time and job-share working considered under HMPPS policy
• Training and promotion programmes, plus security, diversity and individual induction
• Season ticket advance after two months' service
• Childcare vouchers, subject to Civil Service moves