Reader in Market Drayton

Overview

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 the broader work of chaplaincy in delivering faith and non-faith-based courses. They 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 faith/belief community towards aiding the resettlement of offenders. The role requires taking 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 local faith/belief communities and other agencies, as relevant, and consider ways 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 funded community initiatives by agreement.

The duties/responsibilities listed describe the post as it is at present and are 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 with the job holder in the first instance.

Working Arrangements

This role requires working regular unsocial hours and a payment at the current approved organisation rate will be made in addition to the basic pay to recognise this. Unsocial hours are those hours outside 07:00–19:00 Monday to Friday and include evenings, nights, weekends and Bank/Public Holidays. The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is informal, non-contractual flexible working that blends working from base location, different MoJ sites and/or from home. Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working, and arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and reviewed regularly. Nationally advertised roles may appoint to a MoJ office location (nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office) on completion of pre-employment checks. Some MoJ terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. Details will be available if an offer is made. Standard full-time working hours are 37 per week, excluding unpaid breaks. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing patterns where they meet role and business needs. If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years, subject to unit approval before confirmation of appointment.

Eligibility and Security

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post. External candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS. All staff are required to declare membership in groups or organisations that HMPPS considers to be racist.

Legal and Diversity Information

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ makes adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ offers an interview to disabled candidates who meet minimum criteria, with reasonable adjustments available in the process. The Civil Service Code applies to recruitment on merit. There are additional policies and information regarding diversity, veterans, redeployment, and related schemes as described in the full job description.

Essential Experience and Qualifications

Chaplains are required to meet the faith/belief eligibility requirements for their chosen faith/belief as outlined within the Group Profile. Ability to fulfil all spoken and written aspects of the role in English; Welsh where specified in Wales. Ordained Bishop, Priest or Deacon; or Reader, Religious Brother/Sister, Church Army Evangelist, with appropriate licensing and endorsement as required by the Anglican tradition; evidence of endorsement from the Diocesan Bishop is required. All must have demonstrated knowledge of Anglican theology and religious practice and formal endorsement from the HMPPS Anglican Faith and Belief Adviser confirming eligibility and suitability; Diocesan DBS clearance and up-to-date safeguarding training. SIGNATORY requirements include mutual flourishing documentation or equivalent for the Church in Wales; ability to participate in English (or Welsh where specified).

Security and Compliance

Level of security checks: DBS Standard, Counter Terrorism Check (CTC).

Broader Information

Contact and further details: See full job description for additional information about terms, conditions, and civil service policies. This role is UK-based and work is restricted to the UK.