We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.
Overview of the job
This is a Chaplaincy job in an establishment which provides pastoral and faith specific care to prisoners and staff.
Summary
The job holder will provide for the religious care of prisoners and staff in the Roman Catholic faith tradition including (for ordained priests) sacramental provision, and appropriate pastoral care for all irrespective of faith or tradition.
The job holder will work with colleagues to ensure the delivery of the specification “Faith and Pastoral Care”, 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 Head of Chaplaincy/Profession at HQ are assured that the specification is being delivered.
The job holder will engage with, and build contacts with their own faith community towards aiding the resettlement of offenders.
This is a non-operational job with no line management or supervisory responsibilities.
Responsibilities, Activities and Duties
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- Act as faith advisor in the establishment providing advice, pastoral care and spiritual welfare to prisoners, staff and their families as requested.
- Facilitate and deliver opportunities for worship both sacramental (for priests) and non-sacramental, study and religious programmes.
- Contribute towards the development of local policy, procedures and practice.
- Provide mentoring and personal support for other chaplains and volunteers including following incidents.
- Be part of the provision of available and accessible chaplaincy care at all times.
- Plan and lead worship and prayer/faith specific meetings.
- Provide pastoral care to prisoners and help to provide support and bring resolution to crisis situations where required.
- Nurture Chaplaincy volunteers in their contribution.
- Facilitate services provided by contractors and volunteers.
- Work collaboratively with other Chaplains and Managing Chaplain on the maintenance and provision of facilities for worship and prayer.
- Ensure your prison community is aware of relevant religious events and coordinate establishment support for these.
- Acquire and distribute appropriate religious literature, supplies and materials.
- Contribute to training programmes and materials for staff and volunteers.
- Be proactive in forging links with their local faith communities and other agencies, as relevant, and consider ways in which these communities/ agencies may become involved in mentoring prisoners on release.
- Participate in developing ways for improving and achieving Service Delivery Indicators (SDI).
- As required, undertake and ensure that all relevant administration, data collection and analysis including relevant SDIs are collated.
- Be part of the organisation and delivery of Faith Awareness Training for staff.
- Take responsibility for your own spiritual health and development, allowing time for private prayer, study and retreat.
- Undertake Diocesan Ministerial Reviews, where appropriate.
- Provide appropriate support to the establishment 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.
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.
An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.
Behaviours
- Communicating and Influencing.
- Managing a Quality Service.
- Making Effective Decisions.
- Leadership.
- Working Together.
Experience
Chaplains are required to meet the Faith Eligibility Requirements for their chosen faith as outlined within the Group Profile.
Technical
Must complete specific training to hold the qualifications required for area of specialism outlined in the Faith Eligibility Requirements (listed within the Group Profile).
Or
Be an ordained Priest in the Roman Catholic Church. Formal endorsement in the form of recognition from the appropriate Diocesan Bishop or Religious Superior, and formal agreement to work in specific Dioceses by the local diocesan Bishop (evidence required before appointment).
Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours) Allowances
37 hour working week
Unsocial Hours Working
This role requires working regular unsocial hours and a 17% payment will be paid in addition to your basic pay to recognise this. Unsocial hours are those hours outside 0700 – 1900hrs Monday to Friday and include working evenings, nights, weekends and Bank/Public holidays.
£30,938 - £32,424
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on ‘modernised’ terms in their current post or onto ‘unmodernised’ MoJ terms if they are on ‘unmodernised’ terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
Standard working hours for this post are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid.
If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff.
The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate’s Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.
Benefits
Annual Leave
- The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.
Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays
- You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays. These hours are added to your annual leave allowance. There is a requirement to work some public and bank holidays subject to your shift pattern and the operational needs of the establishment
Pension
- The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Work Life Balance
HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so. HMPPS offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period and NVQ
Season Ticket Advance
- After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work
Childcare Vouchers
For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers
Training
HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes
- There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provides a variety of training appropriate to individual posts
- All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles
Eligibility
- All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post
- All 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 whether they are a member of a group or organisation which the HMPPS considers to be racist
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
- To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);
- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
- To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.