Reader in Newport-On-Tay

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. The job holder will engage with and build contacts with their faith/belief community towards aiding the resettlement of offenders. This is a non-rotational, non-operational role with no line management or supervisory responsibilities. The role requires working regular unsocial hours and a payment recognising this.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance on their faith/belief system in the establishment, offering advice, pastoral care and spiritual welfare to prisoners, staff and their families as requested; liaise with Faith and Belief Adviser (FBA) as appropriate.
• Plan and lead worship/meditation, prayer and faith/belief specific meetings; ensure chaplaincy care is available at all times.
• Facilitate and deliver opportunities for worship/meditation, study and religious programmes; work with other chaplains, the Managing Chaplain, volunteers and external groups to maintain and provide facilities for worship, meditation and prayer.
• Contribute towards the development of local policy, procedures and practice.
• Provide pastoral care to prisoners, support during crises, and mentoring for other chaplains and volunteers including following incidents.
• Nurture Chaplaincy volunteers and work with the Official Prison Visitor Liaison Officer to promote the scheme within the prison.
• Ensure awareness of faith/belief events within the prison community and coordinate establishment support; acquire and distribute relevant literature, artefacts and materials.
• Contribute to training programmes and materials for staff and volunteers; participate in Faith Awareness Training for staff.
• Represent the chaplaincy team at establishment meetings and committees in the absence of the Managing Chaplain.
• Support the Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) process; participate in relevant boards/meetings as chair or team member.
• With agreement from the Managing Chaplain and senior management, take on additional roles (e.g., Family Liaison Officer, Family Services single point of contact, volunteer coordinator).
• Forge links with local faith/belief communities and other agencies; identify ways these communities may assist prisoners on release.
• Participate in developing ways to achieve targets; ensure administration and data collection related to targets is completed.
• Assist in Probation Approved Premises (APs) with offenders on release, those serving community sentences or other HMPPS-funded community initiatives by agreement.

Qualifications and Experience

• Chaplains must meet faith/belief eligibility requirements for their chosen faith as outlined by the Group Profile; demonstrate knowledge of Anglican theology and religious practice where applicable; be endorsed by the Diocesan Bishop and hold relevant licensure or qualification.
• Be able to fulfil all spoken and written aspects of the role in English (Welsh where specified in Wales).
• Ordained Bishop, Priest or Deacon, or be an ordained member of the Anglican Communion (or equivalent in other Anglican provinces); in some cases, Reader, Religious Brother/Sister, Church Army Evangelist or other appropriately qualified/licensed minister may be considered with Bishop’s agreement.
• Formal endorsement from the HMPPS Anglican Faith and Belief Adviser confirming eligibility and suitability; and Diocesan DBS clearance with up-to-date safeguarding training.
• All candidates should have demonstrated knowledge of Anglican theology and religious practice and the ability to work within safeguarding and data protection requirements.
• Security checks: DBS Standard; Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) where required.

Working Arrangements and Benefits

• Standard full-time hours are 37 hours per week (unsociable hours may be required); a payment supplement will be provided for unsocial hours.
• MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows; discussions and regular reviews will determine suitability.
• Probation and other civil service terms apply; details provided on offer.
• HMPPS supports flexible, part-time and job-sharing patterns where possible.