Part time Roman Catholic Ordained Priest/ Deacon, Religious Brother, Sister, Lay Person

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

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 own faith/belief community towards aiding the resettlement of offenders, take responsibility for their own spiritual health and development, and allow 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, offering advice, pastoral care and spiritual welfare to prisoners, staff and families as requested, liaising with their Faith and Belief Adviser (FBA) or other suitable FBA.
• 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 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 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 in the first instance with the job holder.

Additional Information

This is a part‑time 9.5 hours vacancy. Working arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate and subject to regular review.

Benefits

• Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays: You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays.
• Pension: The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes.
• Work Life Balance: HMPPS is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements.
• Season Ticket Advance: After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance.
• Training: HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities.

All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which the HMPPS considers to be racist. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities.

The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

This job is broadly open to UK nationals, nationals of the Republic of Ireland, nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK, and others as specified.