Free Church Chaplain, HMP Manchester in North West
External Part-time
Ref: 2441
Band: 5
Closing date: 21/02/2025
Working hours: 15 hours per week
Salary: £41,712 - £43,715 Pro-rata
Job description: We are looking for an experienced Free Church leader to join our well-regarded, multi-faith team. Your interpersonal skills will be first class and display diplomacy and discretion. If this sounds like you, please get in touch.
Summary: The job holder will provide for the religious care of prisoners and staff in the Free Church faith tradition including all sacramental provision as appropriate, 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.
Essential Skills/ Qualifications/ Accreditation/ Registration: All Free Church chaplains are trained faith practitioners in their own communities. They are accountable to, and accredited by an eligible denomination as listed on the Free Churches Group website. They will either:
Be a minister (lay or ordained) of a Free Church denomination which is a member of the Free Churches Group, or
Be a minister (lay or ordained) of a Free Church denomination which is listed by the Free Churches Faith Advisor as an ‘Additional Denomination’.
Denominations listed as an “Additional Denomination" will satisfy all of the following:
have a distinctive Free Church theology;
be national members of either Churches Together in England or Cytun;
have formally requested inclusion on the ‘Additional Denomination’ list;
have agreed to abide by the “Joint Working Protocol for Prison Chaplains" established between the Free Churches Group, Churches together in England and Cytun.
Ordained Chaplains (including ordained deacons) will have completed a formal professional formation process appropriate to their denomination which satisfies that denomination of their ability to effectively practice and fulfil the skills and competencies required of an ordained minister. Where an ordained chaplain is appointed within the first two years of their ordination then the denomination will be required to demonstrate to the Free Churches Faith Advisor the additional support to be given during this crucial stage of ministry development.
Formal endorsement of the candidate’s denominational accreditation will be required from the Free Churches Faith Advisor to HMPPS .
Church leaders at a regional or national level, i.e. Moderators, Chairs, Regional Ministers etc. will be asked to provide written confirmation to the Faith Advisor attesting to the credentials, qualifications and accountability of each candidate (This evidence will be required before appointment and thereafter periodically according to HMPPS vetting policy)
Formal endorsement from the candidate’s own denomination will be required via the Free Churches Faith Advisor. Senior church leaders to whom the volunteer chaplain would be actively accountable will be asked to provide written confirmation attesting to the credentials, training plan and accountability of each candidate sponsored by their denomination (This evidence will be required before appointment and thereafter periodically according to HMPPS vetting policy and will be required whenever a volunteer chaplain seeks to take up a paid chaplaincy role).
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) In order to maintain endorsement by the Free Churches Faith Advisor all chaplains will be required to demonstrate regular ongoing reflection or training contributing towards their professional development as ministers. This will be recorded and assessed on an annual basis by the Free Churches Faith Advisor.
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 full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS’ Flexible Working policy.
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.
For more information and to apply for the post, please visit HERE.
If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk Please quote the job reference 2441
For eligibility to become a Free Chruch Prison Chaplain, please visit HERE.