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

Summary: 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 also the broader work of chaplaincy in delivering faith and non-faith-based courses. 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.

Takes 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.

Faith/Belief Eligibility Requirements (January 2022)

Free Church:

• 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 o listed by the HMPPS Free Churches Faith and Belief Adviser 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 and Belief Adviser the additional support to be given during this crucial stage of ministry development.

• Required qualifications for Prison Chaplains. All Free Churches Chaplains will be expected to hold a formal recognised qualification in theology or religious study, normally to UK University undergraduate Diploma standard.

• Requirement for Continuing Professional

Development (CPD). In order to maintain endorsement by the Free Churches Faith and Belief Adviser all chaplains will be required to demonstrate regular continuing reflection or training contributing towards their professional development as ministers. This will be recorded and assessed on an annual basis by the HMPPS Free Churches Faith and Belief Adviser.

Closing date: 17/08/2026