Sessional (part-time) Anglican Chaplain, HMP Thameside

INCORPORATED ROCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF EDUCATION; Woolwich; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

INCORPORATED ROCHESTER DIOCESAN BOARD OF EDUCATION is seeking a Sessional Anglican Chaplain for HMP Thameside. The role involves planning and leading Anglican worship, providing pastoral care to prisoners and staff, and working with a multi-faith chaplaincy team.

A mature faith and calling to prison ministry are essential, with flexibility for part-time engagement and training. The post requires collaboration with chaplains of other faiths, safeguarding and DBS checks, and the ability to adapt

Qualifications

• Mature Christian faith and calling to prison ministry.
• Team player able to relate to people with complex needs.
• Willingness to undertake training and learn.
• Ability to work in a multi-faith environment.

Responsibilities

• Plan and lead Anglican worship, prayer, Bible study and Christian programmes.
• Provide pastoral and spiritual care to prisoners and staff.
• Share in wider chaplaincy responsibilities of the team.
• Collaborate with other chaplains and volunteers.
• Maintain appropriate records and contribute to prison processes.

Skills

Pastoral care

Worship leadership

Bible study

Prayer

Education

Anglican ordination

Job description

Sessional (part-time) Anglican Chaplain, HMP Thameside

Tags:

Job Title:

Sessional (part-time) Anglican Chaplain, HMP Thameside

Position type:

Clergy/Lay Minister post

Area:

Woolwich Episcopal Area

Work Terms:

Sessional (part-time)

Applications Deadline:

31/12/2026

Interview Date:

Flexible

Other Information:

Could God be calling you to ministry in a prison setting?

HMP Thameside is seeking a committed Anglican Christian to join its multi-faith Chaplaincy Team as a Sessional Anglican Chaplain.

This is a varied and rewarding ministry, offering opportunities to make a real difference in the lives of prisoners and staff through worship, prayer, Bible study, pastoral care and spiritual support. The successful applicant will minister within the Anglican tradition while working collaboratively with chaplains of other faiths and providing compassionate, non-judgemental pastoral care to people of all faiths and none.

The role includes:

• planning and leading Anglican worship, prayer, Bible study and other Christian programmes;
• providing pastoral and spiritual care to prisoners and staff, including supporting people in times of crisis;
• sharing in the wider statutory, pastoral and administrative responsibilities of the Chaplaincy Team;
• working collaboratively with other chaplains and supporting chaplaincy volunteers;
• maintaining appropriate records and contributing to relevant prison processes.

We are looking for someone with a mature Christian faith and a genuine calling to, or heart for, prison ministry. You will need to be a team player, able to relate well to people with complex needs and challenging backgrounds, comfortable working in a multi-faith environment, and flexible and adaptable to the sometimes unpredictable nature of prison ministry. Previous chaplaincy experience would be valuable but is not essential; willingness to undertake appropriate training and learn within the role is important.

Applicants will ideally be an ordained Anglican priest, although Deacons, Readers, Religious Brothers or Sisters, and Church Army Evangelists may also be considered, subject to the relevant Anglican eligibility requirements. Applicants must be able to obtain appropriate Anglican and HMPPS endorsement and meet the necessary safeguarding, DBS, pre-employment, security vetting and clearance requirements.

If you have a heart for sharing Christ’s love through worship, pastoral care and practical ministry, we would be delighted to hear from you.
For an informal conversation with The Revd Jez Noles (Full-time Anglican Chaplain at HMP Thameside) about this post, please contact Jez in the first instance by emailing [e-mail]