Catholic Chaplain

Serco Group Plc; North East; On-site; GBP 5,400 - 6,600; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive annual leave entitlement

Free on site car parking

Pension scheme (up to 6%)

Internal development courses and bursu

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounts across retailers

Volunteering day

Inclusion networks and wellbeing

Job summary

Serco Limited in Derwentside IRC, DH8 6QY, is seeking a Catholic Chaplain to provide pastoral and spiritual care to detainees in a respectful, faith-informed environment. The role is permanent, part-time (10 hrs p/w) with weekend work, and entails leading Catholic services, offering guidance, and supporting rehabilitation and resettlement efforts within a multi-faith chaplaincy team.

Successful candidates will hold formal endorsement from a Roman Catholic Diocesan Bishop and theological

Qualifications

• Endorsement from a Roman Catholic Diocesan Bishop to minister in this setting.
• Theological qualifications or Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies.
• Experience delivering pastoral care and religious services, ideally in a secure or institutional environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to support people from diverse backgrounds and faiths.
• Compassionate, professional approach with resilience in challenging situations.

Responsibilities

• Provide pastoral care and support the spiritual welfare of detainees and colleagues
• Deliver Catholic services and facilitate access to religious observance, holy days, and festivals
• Offer faith-based advice and guidance within a multi-faith environment
• Support detainees through bereavement, crisis, and resettlement challenges
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across security, healthcare, and safer custody teams
• Build relationships with community groups and external partners to support reintegration

Skills

Pastoral care

Religious services

Interpersonal skills

Resilience

Education

Theological qualifications

Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies

Job description

Roman Catholic Chaplain

CAPTION:

• Company: Serco Limited
• Salary: £6000-6000 per annum
• Hours: Part-time
• Location: Durham, DH8 6QY
• Job type: Permanent
• Posting date: 12 Oct 2026
• Closing date: 8 Nov 2026

Summary

Serco Limited

Serco: Derwentside IRC, DH8 6QY

Permanent, Part Time 10 hrs p/w (working 2 days p/w, will include a Sunday)

£6,000 per annum + Excellent Corporate Benefits Package

Ready to impact a better future? As a Catholic Chaplain in our Justice and Immigration team, you'll provide vital pastoral and spiritual care to detainees, helping them find hope, purpose and direction during a challenging time in their lives. Your work will directly support wellbeing, dignity, and positive outcomes for individuals and communities.

In this role, you'll be part of a vibrant, multi-faith chaplaincy team, creating a compassionate environment where individuals feel supported and respected. From leading services to offering one-to-one guidance, your contribution will play a meaningful role in rehabilitation, resettlement, and building trust.

What you'll do as a Catholic Chaplain

• Provide pastoral care and support the spiritual welfare of detainees and colleagues
• Deliver Catholic services and facilitate access to religious observance, holy days, and festivals
• Offer faith-based advice and guidance within a multi-faith environment
• Support detainees through bereavement, crisis, and resettlement challenges
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across security, healthcare, and safer custody teams
• Build relationships with community groups and external partners to support reintegration

Does this sound like you?

You'll be a great fit for this role if you have:

• Formal endorsement from a Roman Catholic Diocesan Bishop (or delegate) to minister in this setting
• Relevant theological qualifications (or equivalent such as Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies)
• Experience delivering pastoral care and religious services, ideally in a secure or institutional environment
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to support people from diverse backgrounds and faiths
• A compassionate, professional approach with resilience in challenging situations

Vetting and checks

An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role. This includes spent and unspent convictions, cautions, and any relevant information held by local police, in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and safeguarding requirements. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire to allow us to provide any support needed for you to succeed in the role.

Discover all you need to keep growing

We're one of the top 1% of international employers, so you can have confidence you'll be part of a highly supportive culture with leaders you can count on to help you achieve your goals. From mentoring and training to our focus on internal progression, we're proud to offer clear development opportunities - and the support and tools to help you seize them.

What we offer

• Competitive annual leave entitlement
• Free on site car parking
• Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (including L3 Team Leader and L5 Operations Manager apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression
• Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
• Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
• Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
• Our networks support inclusion and connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, veterans, and people from all cultural backgrounds.

Let's impact a better future, together.