23569 - Part Time Free Church Chaplain

Ministry of Justice • Lincoln, NE

14d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Free Church Chaplain provides faith-specific and pastoral care to prisoners and staff, while working as part of a multifaith and belief chaplaincy team. The role also involves meeting pastoral needs of people from other faiths and beliefs, and those with none. The chaplain works with colleagues to deliver the relevant HMPPS faith and pastoral care policy and wider chaplaincy provision, including faith- and non-faith-based courses, and contributes to assurance that these policies are being delivered. The role builds links with the chaplain’s faith community to support prisoner resettlement and requires taking responsibility for personal spiritual health and development. It is a non-rotational, non-operational post with no line-management or supervisory responsibilities.

The post is part-time and permanent, based in Lincoln. Hours are to be confirmed. The salary is £37,417–£39,214 pro rata. Hybrid working may be available where business needs allow, subject to agreement and review; the role must be performed in the UK.

Requirements

• Meet the faith or belief eligibility requirements for the chosen faith or belief as set out in the Group Profile.
• Be able to fulfil all spoken and written aspects of the role confidently in English, or Welsh where specified in Wales.
• Complete the specific training required to hold qualifications for the relevant area of specialism.
• Be a trained faith practitioner in their own community and be accountable to and accredited by an eligible denomination listed by the Free Churches Group or recognised as an Additional Denomination by the HMPPS Free Churches Faith and Belief Adviser.
• Ordained chaplains, including ordained deacons, must have completed a formal professional formation process appropriate to their denomination, demonstrating their ability to practise effectively and meet the competencies of an ordained minister.
• Hold a formal recognised qualification in theology or religious study, normally to UK university undergraduate Diploma standard.
• Demonstrate regular continuing reflection or training that contributes to professional development as a minister, with this recorded and assessed annually by the HMPPS Free Churches Faith and Belief Adviser.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance about the Free Church faith or belief system and offer advice, pastoral care and spiritual welfare to prisoners, staff and their families as requested, liaising with Faith and Belief Advisers as appropriate.
• Plan and lead worship or meditation, prayer and faith- or belief-specific meetings, and contribute to accessible chaplaincy care.
• Facilitate worship, meditation, study and religious programmes, collaborating with chaplains, volunteers and external groups on worship, meditation and prayer facilities.
• Contribute to local policy, procedures and practice development.
• Provide pastoral care to prisoners and help support and resolve crisis situations where required.
• Mentor and support chaplains and volunteers, including after incidents, and nurture volunteers’ contributions.
• Work with the Official Prison Visitor Liaison Officer to promote the scheme and assist its volunteers where required.
• Promote awareness of relevant faith and belief events in the prison, coordinate establishment support for events, and acquire and distribute appropriate literature, artefacts and materials.
• Contribute to training programmes and materials for staff and volunteers, including organising and delivering Faith Awareness Training.
• Represent the chaplaincy team at establishment meetings and committees when the Managing Chaplain is absent.
• Actively support the Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) process.
• Attend relevant boards and meetings and contribute as chair or team member.
• With agreement from the Managing Chaplain and establishment senior management, undertake additional roles as required, such as Family Liaison Officer, Family Services contact or volunteer coordinator.
• Build links with local faith and belief communities and other agencies, and consider how they can support prisoners on release.
• Help improve performance and achieve targets, and complete relevant administration, data collection and analysis.
• By agreement, assist in Probation Approved Premises and other HMPPS-funded community initiatives involving people released into the community or serving community sentences.
• Maintain personal spiritual health and development through private prayer or reflection, study and retreat.

Benefits

• Civil Service pension with a choice of two pension schemes.
• Annual leave, calculated pro rata for part-time staff.
• Nine days (66 hours 36 minutes) for bank, public and privilege holidays, added to annual leave allowance.
• Flexible working arrangements, subject to business needs and completion of a satisfactory probationary period.
• Season ticket advance eligibility after two months’ service.
• Training and development opportunities, including security and diversity training and an individual induction programme.
• Promotion programmes and training appropriate to individual posts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree