21560 - Sikh Chaplain

This role is 12 hours across three prisons: 4 hours/week at each site - HMP Eastwood Park, HMP Bristol and HMP Leyhill.

Overview of the job:

Job holders will provide faith/belief and pastoral care to prisoners and staff of their own faith/belief tradition and have an understanding/knowledge of other faith/beliefs as part of a multifaith/belief chaplaincy team. Job holders will also be required to meet the pastoral needs of people of other faiths/beliefs and none.

Summary:

The job holder will work with colleagues to ensure the delivery of PSI 05/2016 Faith and Pastoral Care for Prisoners or its successor policy framework and also the broader work of chaplaincy in delivering faith and non-faith-based courses. Will contribute to the process by which the Governor and Chaplain General/Head of Faith Services are assured that these policies are being delivered. The job holder will engage with and build contacts with their own faith/belief community towards aiding the resettlement of offenders. Takes responsibility for one’s own spiritual health and development, allowing time for private prayer/reflection, study and retreat. This is a non-rotational, non-operational job with no line management or supervisory responsibilities.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties:

• Provide guidance on their faith/belief system in the establishment providing advice, pastoral care and spiritual welfare to prisoners, staff and their families as requested, liaising with their Faith and Belief Adviser (FBA) or other FBA as appropriate.
• Plan and lead worship/meditation, prayer and faith/belief specific meetings. Be part of the provision of available and accessible chaplaincy care at all times.
• Facilitate and deliver opportunities for worship/meditation, study and religious programmes. Work collaboratively with other Chaplains, the Managing Chaplain, volunteers and external groups on the maintenance and provision of facilities for worship/meditation and prayer.
• Contribute towards the development of local policy, procedures and practice.
• Provide pastoral care to prisoners and help to provide support and bring resolution to crisis situations where required. Provide mentoring and personal support for other chaplains and volunteers including following incidents.
• Nurture Chaplaincy volunteers in their contribution.
• Work with the Official Prison Visitor (OPV) Liaison Officer in promoting the scheme within the prison ensuring all prisoners are aware of it and to assist where required OPV volunteers.
• Ensure their prison community is aware of relevant faith/belief events and coordinate establishment support for these. Acquire and distribute appropriate faith/belief literature, artefacts and materials.
• Contribute to training programmes and materials for staff and volunteers. Be part of the organisation and delivery of Faith Awareness Training for staff.
• Represent the chaplaincy team at establishment meetings, committees etc in the absence of the Managing Chaplain.
• Actively support the Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) process.
• Attend relevant boards/meetings and actively contribute either as chair or team member.
• With the agreement of the Managing Chaplain and establishment senior management team and as required, take on additional roles; e.g. Family Liaison Officer, Family Services single point of contact, volunteer coordinator etc.
• Be proactive in forging links with their local faith/belief communities and other agencies, as relevant and consider ways in which these communities/agencies may become involved in supporting prisoners on release.
• Participate in developing ways for improving and achieving targets as required, undertake and ensure that all relevant administration, data collection and analysis including relevant targets are collated.
• Assist in Probation Approved Premises (APs), with offenders on release into the community, those serving community sentences or other HMPPS funded community initiatives by agreement.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

Behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Changing and Improving

Chaplains are required to meet the faith/belief eligibility requirements for their chosen faith/belief as outlined within the Group Profile. An ability to fulfil all spoken and written aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.

Technical Requirements:

Must complete specific training to hold the qualifications required for area of specialism outlined on the relevant job description.

Faith/Belief Eligibility Requirements (January 2023):

Sikh: Must be a Baptised Sikh (i.e. has completed Amrit Initiation). Show practical demonstration of reading, reciting and translating Sikh scriptures. Desirably the candidate should hold a Degree/Diploma in Sikh theology. Must have demonstrable knowledge of Sikh Religion, its history and commitment to adhere to the Sikh Code of Conduct (“Rehat Maryada- Akal Takht Sahib”). Must be proficient in Punjabi. Formal endorsement from the HMPPS Sikh Faith and Belief Adviser confirming eligibility and suitability.