Anglican Chaplain (Priest)

Ministry of Justice; Wotton-under-Edge; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department in the UK seeks a chaplain to provide guidance and pastoral care to prisoners, ensuring faith-specific activities and support. Candidates should be ordained members of the Anglican Communion with at least three years of experience in Holy Orders. This hybrid role offers unsocial working hours and various benefits, including annual leave and training opportunities. A commitment to equal opportunities and thorough vetting checks is essential.

Benefits

Annual leave allowance

Pension schemes

Childcare vouchers

Qualifications

• Chaplains must meet faith/belief eligibility requirements outlined in the Group Profile.
• Ordained with a minimum of three years in Holy Orders.
• Formal endorsement from the Diocesan Bishop and HMPPS.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and pastoral care to prisoners and staff.
• Plan and lead worship and meditation sessions.
• Collaborate with faith communities to aid prisoner reintegration.

Skills

Ability to fulfil spoken and written aspects confidently

Knowledge of Anglican theology and religious practice

Interpersonal skills

Education

Ordained member of the Anglican Communion

Diocesan DBS clearance

Job description

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and pastoral care to prisoners, staff and families, liaising with the Faith and Belief Adviser as appropriate.
• Plan and lead worship, meditation, prayer and faith-specific meetings, ensuring chaplaincy care is available at all times.
• Facilitate worship, study and religious programmes and work with other chaplains, volunteers and external groups on facility maintenance and provision.
• Contribute to the development of local policy, procedures and practice.
• Deliver pastoral care to prisoners, providing support and crisis resolution, and mentor other chaplains and volunteers.
• Support Chaplaincy volunteers and coordinate with the Official Prison Visitor Liaison Officer to promote the scheme.
• Ensure prisoners are aware of faith events, distribute suitable literature and artefacts.
• Help develop training programmes and staff/volunteer materials, including Faith Awareness Training.
• Represent the chaplaincy team at meetings, committees and other forums in the Managing Chaplain’s absence.
• Support the Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) process and attend relevant board/committee meetings.
• With agreement, take on additional roles such as Family Liaison Officer, Volunteer Coordinator or other responsibilities as required.
• Forge links with faith communities and agencies to aid prisoner release and reintegration.
• Assist in Probation Approved Premises and other community initiatives involving offenders on release.
• Collaborate on improving targets and ensure administration, data collection and analysis are completed.

Qualifications & Experience

• Chaplains must meet faith/belief eligibility requirements outlined in the Group Profile.
• Ability to fulfil all spoken and written aspects of the role with confidence in English (and Welsh where required).
• Ordained member of the Anglican Communion (or a church part of the Porvoo Agreement), with a minimum of three years in Holy Orders.
• Formal endorsement in the form of the Diocesan Bishop’s licence and HMPPS endorsement confirming eligibility and suitability.
• Signed the Church of England or Church in Wales mutual flourishing documentation.
• Demonstrable knowledge of Anglican theology and religious practice.
• Diocesan DBS clearance and up-to-date safeguarding training.

Working Hours & Conditions

Regular unsocial hours outside 0700–1900hrs Monday to Friday (evenings, nights, weekends and bank/public holidays) are required. Unsocial hours are paid at 20% of basic pay.

Hybrid Working is available where business needs allow; arrangements will be discussed pre‑appointment and may involve working from home, MoJ sites, or the designated office.

Benefits & Leave

Annual leave runs from 1 March, calculated pro‑rata for non‑standard patterns. Bank, public and privilege holidays are added to the annual leave allowance. Details on pension schemes, childcare vouchers, training and development are available upon appointment.

Security & Eligibility Checks

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to appointment. External candidates undergo a six‑month probationary period; internal candidates a shorter period if they have served in HMPPS previously.

Equal Opportunity

The MoJ is a Disability Confident employer and commits to providing equal opportunities for all candidates. Formal complaints may be raised through the Civil Service Commission or the MoJ recruitment team.