HMP Highpoint - Chaplain: Roman Catholic Ordained Priest

HM Prison & Probation Service

HMP Highpoint - Chaplain: Roman Catholic Ordained Priest

£34694

HM Prison & Probation Service, Newmarket, Suffolk

  • Part time
  • Permanent
  • Onsite working

Posted 2 weeks ago, 2 May | Get your application in now before you miss out!

Closing date: Closing date not specified

job Ref: 394a917923234f9ab852eb4ce8233dc7

Full Job Description

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.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

  • provide guidance on their faith/belief system in the establishment providing advice, pastoral care and spiritual welfare to prisoners, staff and their families as requested, liaising with their Faith and Belief Adviser (FBA) or other FBA as appropriate;

  • 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 to 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; and

  • 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 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.

    Technical 1
    Do you hold/meet the below criteria for the role you are applying for:

    Roman Catholic: Ordained Priest

  • 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 a specific diocese by the local
    Diocesan Bishop (Evidence required before appointment).

    Technical 2
    Do you hold/meet the below criteria for the role you are applying for:

    completed formally recognised theological formation; for a
    Priest or Deacon in a major seminary or equivalent as
    prescribed by The Code of Canon Law and for a religious
    or lay person a theological qualification that, as the
    minimum, equates to the Catholic Certificate in Religious
    Studies (CCRS);
  • formal agreement from the local diocesan bishop to


  • minister in those prisons located within his Diocese; and
    formal endorsement from the HMPPS Roman Catholic Faith
    and Belief Adviser confirming eligibility and suitability., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
  • Communicating and Influencing

  • Managing a Quality Service

  • Making Effective Decisions

  • Delivering at Pace, Applicant will be asked to deliver a 5 min sermon on a New Testament Bible passage at interview stage, This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

  • https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

    Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

    Security

    Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
    Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

    See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
    People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.,
  • UK nationals

  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland

  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK

  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)

  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

  • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020

  • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

    Priest or Deacon in a major seminary or equivalent as

  • prescribed by The Code of Canon Law and for a religious
    or lay person a theological qualification that, as the
    minimum, equates to the Catholic Certificate in Religious
    Studies (CCRS);
  • formal agreement from the local diocesan bishop to


  • minister in those prisons located within his Diocese; and

    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.

    for area of specialism outlined on the relevant job description.
    Faith/Belief Eligibility Requirements (January 2023)
    Roman Catholic:
    Ordained Priest
  • 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 a specific diocese by the local
    Diocesan Bishop (Evidence required before appointment).
    All must have:
  • completed formally recognised theological formation; for a, Alongside your salary of £33,104, HM Prison & Probation Service contributes £8,971 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

  • Access to learning and development

  • A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance

  • A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity

  • A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

  • Annual Leave

  • Public Holidays

  • Season Ticket Advance