Spiritual Care Lead (30 hours pw) in Lewes

Are you passionate about providing compassionate spiritual and pastoral support to people facing some of life’s most challenging moments?

As our Spiritual Care Lead, you’ll play a vital role in supporting patients, families, bereaved individuals, staff and volunteers across the hospice. Leading the delivery and development of our spiritual care service, you’ll help ensure people of all faiths and beliefs, as well as those with no faith, receive personalised, inclusive support. If you are an empathetic and experienced spiritual care professional who is committed to making a meaningful difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Job Details

• Location: St Peter & St James Hospice, North Common Road, North Chailey, BN8 4ED
• Salary: £29,970 - £33,308 pro rata for 30 hours per week (£37,463 - £41,635 per annum)
• Hours: 30 hours a week (worked over 4 or 5 days)
• Contract: Permanent part-time
• Closing Date: We will shortlist and interview as applications are received, so early applications are encouraged.

What you’ll be doing

• Provide holistic spiritual and pastoral support to patients and families across hospice services, either face-to-face, by telephone or online.
• Lead and coordinate spiritual care provision, ensuring the needs of people from diverse faiths, beliefs and cultural backgrounds are met with dignity and compassion.
• Recruit, support and supervise Spiritual Care volunteers, helping to create a welcoming and reassuring environment throughout the hospice.
• Plan and deliver remembrance, reflection and commemorative services, working collaboratively with colleagues and volunteers.
• Develop new and innovative approaches to spiritual care, including discussion groups, reflective sessions, prayer groups and online support opportunities.
• Work as part of the multidisciplinary team, providing guidance, education and support on spiritual issues in palliative and end-of-life care.
• Build strong relationships with local clergy, faith leaders, community organisations and pastoral care networks to enhance support for patients and families.
• Maintain accurate records, relevant policies and quality standards to support a safe, effective and responsive service.

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience in a pastoral, chaplaincy or spiritual care role within healthcare, hospice care or a similar setting.
• A strong understanding of spirituality and the ability to support people with a wide range of faith, cultural and personal beliefs, including those with no faith.
• Excellent communication, counselling and bereavement support skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with patients, families, staff and volunteers.
• Experience coordinating services and supporting volunteers, with a collaborative and inclusive leadership style.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities effectively.
• Confidence using IT systems, including electronic patient records and Microsoft Office applications.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, with sensitivity to the spiritual and emotional needs of individuals from all backgrounds.
• A full UK driving licence and access to your own transport.

Experience within palliative care, volunteer management, training delivery, bereavement support, funeral planning, or a qualification in Theology, Pastoral Care or a related subject would be advantageous but is not essential.

Why join us?

• A rewarding role where you can make a meaningful difference to patients, families and bereaved individuals.
• The opportunity to lead and develop an inclusive spiritual care service within a respected hospice.
• A supportive, values-driven organisation dedicated to delivering outstanding compassionate care.
• The chance to work alongside passionate colleagues and volunteers who are committed to improving quality of life for those facing serious illness.

If you are compassionate, inclusive and committed to supporting people through some of life's most significant experiences, we'd love to hear from you.

Closing Date: 5th October 23:59pm Early applications encouraged – we reserve the right to shortlist and interview as applications are received.

Please find the full job description and person specification at the bottom of the page. If you have any questions about the role or require any additional support or reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact Philippa Jones Head of Supportive Care by emailing pjones@stpjhospice.org