Group Profile: Chaplain
Band 5
Document Ref.
HMPPS OR T 17 GP : Chaplain v 12.0
Document Type
Management
Version
12.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
25th October 2022
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Assurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
HMPPS OR T 17 GP : Chaplain v 12.0
Group Profile
Group Profile
Chaplain
Name
Organisation
Chaplain
Level
Band
5
Overview
Job holders within this Group Profile will provide religious and
pastoral care of prisoners and staff in their own faith/belief
tradition and have an understanding/knowledge of other differing
faiths/beliefs.
Characteristics
Typical tasks associated with this Group Profile include:
• Act as faith/belief adviser in the establishment providing
advice, pastoral care and spiritual welfare to prisoners, staff
and their families as requested.
• Facilitate and deliver opportunities for worship/meditation,
study and faith/belief 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/meditation, prayer faith/belief 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/meditation and prayer.
• Ensure your prison community is aware of relevant festivals
and coordinate establishment support for these.
• 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 mentoring 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.
• Be part of the organisation and delivery of faith/belief
awareness training for staff.
• Undertake wider faith/belief community 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.
• Assist in approved premises (AP) or bail hostel as required.
HMPPS OR T 17 GP : Chaplain v 12.0
Job Descriptions
• Chaplain: Anglican Ordained Bishop, Priest, Deacon, Religious
relating to this
Brother/Sister, Church Army Evangelist, Reader (as set
Group Profile
out in Canon E4 of the Canons of the Church of
England or direct equivalent in other Anglican
provinces)
• Chaplain: Bahai
• Chaplain: Buddhist
• Chaplain: Christian Chaplain - Ordained Priest or Free Church
equivalent
• Chaplain: Christian Ordained Deacon Religious Brother Sister
Lay Person
• Chaplain: Christian Science
• Chaplain: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
• Chaplain: Free Church Non Ordained Deacon or Lay Person
• Chaplain: Free Church Ordained
• Chaplain: Hindu
• Chaplain: Humanist
• Chaplain: Jain
• Chaplain: Jehovah’s Witness
• Chaplain: Jewish
• Chaplain: Muslim
• Chaplain: Orthodox
• Chaplain: Pagan
• Chaplain: Quaker
• Chaplain: Rastafari
• Chaplain: Roman Catholic Ordained Priest Deacon Brother
Sister Lay Person
• Chaplain: Sikh
• Chaplain: Spiritualist
• Chaplain: Zoroastrian
• Chaplain : Roman Catholic Ordained Deacon Religious
Brother Sister Lay Person
• Chaplain : Roman Catholic Ordained Priest
• Chaplain : Pastoral Care Chaplain
• Chaplain : Chaplain
Minimum
• All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to
Eligibility
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 HMPPS considers to be racist.
Essential Skills/
Must complete specific training to hold the qualifications required
Qualifications/
for area of specialism outlined on the relevant job description.
Accreditation/
Registration
Faith/Belief Eligibility Requirements (January 2022)
Anglican:
Ordained Bishop, Priest or Deacon
• Be an ordained member of the Anglican Communion (or of
churches part of the Porvoo Agreement)
• Will normally need to have been in Holy Orders for a
minimum of three years
HMPPS OR T 17 GP : Chaplain v 12.0
• Have formal endorsement in the form of the licence of the
Diocesan Bishop
Or
Reader, Religious Brother/Sister, Church Army Evangelist
• Be a Reader (as set out in Canon E4 of The Canons of the
Church of England or direct equivalent in other Anglican
provinces)
• Be a Religious sister or brother, Church Army Evangelist or
other appropriately qualified or licensed minister in the
Anglican tradition, subject to agreement from the Anglican
Bishop to HM Prisons
• Have formal endorsement in the form of the licence of the
Diocesan Bishop (Evidence required before appointment)
All must have:
• signed the Church of England documentation on mutual
flourishing or Church in Wales equivalent
• demonstrable knowledge of Anglican theology and religious
practice
• formal endorsement from the HMPPS Anglican Faith and
Belief Adviser confirming eligibility and suitability
• Diocesan DBS clearance and up to date safeguarding
training
Bahai:
• Be a current member of the Bahá’í Faith in good standing.
• Have demonstrable in-depth knowledge of the Bahá’í Faith.
• Have formal endorsement by the National Spiritual
Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United Kingdom.
Buddhist:
• Be a committed Buddhist living by a moral standard of at
least that of the Five Precepts and meditate regularly
• Display a competent understanding of Buddhist teaching
and practice
• Have demonstrable knowledge of Buddhist schools other
than the one to which you belong and be willing and able to
help and encourage interest in, and practice of those
schools, when required
• Be willing to complete Angulimala’s Prison Dharma course
and attend two of Angulimala’s training workshops a year
• Have endorsement by the HMPPS Buddhist Faith and Belief
Adviser* (Evidence required before appointment)
Christian Science:
• Chaplains should be members of The Mother Church, The
First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts
• Chaplains should be class taught students, by an authorised
teacher of Christian Science
• Chaplains should be active members of a Christian Science
branch church or society
• Chaplains should be endorsed by the Christian Science
Prison Chaplains Committee
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints:
HMPPS OR T 17 GP : Chaplain v 12.0
• Should be a committed Latter Day Saint, living the
commandments and principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
• Men should be ordained elders or high priests
• Women and men should be Temple Recommend Holders
• Should have a thorough understanding of the beliefs,
doctrinal teachings and practices of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints
• Be endorsed by local priesthood leaders, e.g. their Bishop or
Stake President
• Be endorsed by the HMPPS Faith and Belief Adviser of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
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:
o 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.
• Non-ordained Chaplains will have completed a level of
study in a theological or biblical discipline which enables
them to be recognised by their denomination as a non-
ordained minister
• Formal endorsement of the candidate’s denominational
accreditation will be required from the HMPPS Free
Churches Faith and Belief Adviser
• 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 and Belief Adviser
attesting to the credentials, qualifications and accountability
of each candidate. (This evidence will be required before
HMPPS OR T 17 GP : Chaplain v 12.0
appointment and thereafter periodically according to HMPPS
vetting policy.)
• 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
Hindu:
• Be a committed and practising Hindu
• Display a competent understanding of Hindu teaching and
practice
• Have demonstrable knowledge of Hindu philosophy and
rituals
• Have relevant practical experience
• Have endorsement from the HMPPS Hindu Faith and Belief
Adviser* (evidence required before appointment)
Humanist and Non-Religious:
• Have a cohesive system of values or beliefs but which do
not self-classify as religious. These should be serious,
genuinely and sincerely held, and worthy of respect in a
democratic society
• An ability to articulate the values and beliefs above
• Have received formal endorsement from the Non-Religious
Pastoral Support Network
• Adherence to the Non-Religious Pastoral Support Network
(NRPSN's) code of conduct
• Maintain their accreditation with the NRPSN
Jain:
• Be a committed and practising Jain
• Display a competent understanding of Jain teaching and
practice
• Have demonstrable knowledge of Jain philosophy and
rituals
• Have relevant practical experience
• Have endorsement from the HMPPS Jain Faith and Belief
Adviser* (Evidence required before appointment)
Jehovah’s Witness:
• A minister for Jehovah’s Witnesses must be an appointed
elder
• Have a formal nomination from the body of elders of the
congregation where he is an appointed elder
• Have formal endorsement by the HMPPS Faith and Belief
Adviser for Jehovah’s Witnesses
HMPPS OR T 17 GP : Chaplain v 12.0
• Measure up to the scriptural qualifications found at 1
Timothy 3:1-10; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:2, 3 and display them
to a consistent and reasonable degree
• Have a thorough understanding of the beliefs, teachings and
practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses and is committed to living
by the Bible’s moral values and standards
• Have been trained and have experience in pastoral care and
have demonstrated effective communication and social skills
• Have formal endorsement by the HMPPS Faith and Belief
Adviser for Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jewish:
• Be an ordained Rabbi
Or
• In lieu of ordination, be a committed, practising and
knowledgeable Jewish lay person
• Have endorsement from HMPPS Jewish Faith and Belief
Adviser* (Evidence required before appointment)
Muslim:
• Hold a recognised qualification in Islamic Studies at
'Alimiyyah / graduate level
Or
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of Islam at an equivalent
level
• Be proficient in Tajweed (correct pronunciation of Arabic)
• Have demonstrable knowledge of the different schools of
thought and denominations within Islam and be willing to
help in, encourage interest in, and facilitate practice of those
schools and denominations when required by different
segments of the congregation
• Formal endorsement by the candidate’s faith community -
through HMPPS Muslim Faith and Belief Adviser in
Chaplaincy and Faith Services at headquarters. Evidence
required before appointment)
(Christian) Orthodox:
Ordained Bishop, Priest or Deacon
• Will be an ordained bishop, priest or deacon of an Orthodox
Christian Church in Communion with the See of
Constantinople, and/or Antioch, Jerusalem, Alexandria
• Will have formal endorsement in the form of the certificate of
Ordination. *(Evidence required before appointment, and
endorsement from the HMPPS Orthodox Faith and Belief
Adviser). Will normally need to have been in Holy Orders for
a minimum of three years, unless this is dispensed with by
the ordaining bishop in consultation with the HMPPS
Orthodox Faith and Belief Adviser.
Subdeacon, Reader, Monastic, Layperson
• Will be an active member of an Orthodox Christian
community which is in Communion with the See of
Constantinople, and/or Antioch, Jerusalem, Alexandria
• Will have formal evidence of having completed a course of
study in an appropriate theological discipline, at or through
HMPPS OR T 17 GP : Chaplain v 12.0
an institute generally recognised by the Orthodox Church, at
Level 4 or above
• Will have endorsement, and confirmation of ordination (if
appropriate) from their parish priest or bishop
*(Evidence required before appointment, and
endorsement from the HMPPS Orthodox Faith and Belief
Adviser).
Pagan:
• Be a proven and continued member of the Pagan
Federation as the endorsing body or other eligible
grove/coven or group who are signed up with and
represented by the Pagan Symposium
• Referenced or evidence-based training within the Pagan
Community
• Theologically competent and proficient in teaching
eclectically across more than one Pagan Tradition
• Have an understanding and can demonstrate an in-depth
knowledge of Pagan practice
• Pagan Chaplains will be asked to provide written
confirmation to the HMPPS Pagan Faith and Belief Adviser
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.)
• Requirement for Continuing Professional Development
(CPD). In order to maintain endorsement by the HMPPS
Pagan Faith and Belief Adviser, all chaplains will be required
to have regular contact with and unbroken membership of
their endorsing body and the wider Pagan community.
Engage with and 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 Pagan Faith
and Belief Adviser.
• Must have the endorsement of the HMPPS Pagan Faith and
Belief Adviser (Evidence required before appointment)
Quaker:
• Be a Member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
in good standing
• Have demonstrable in-depth knowledge of Quaker faith and
practice. It is desirable although not essential that
candidates will have completed the Equipping for Ministry
course at Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre
• Have formal endorsement by the candidate’s faith
community - through HMPPS Quaker Faith and Belief
Adviser
Rastafari:
• Must be a committed Rastafarian
• Must demonstrate a high level of consciousness towards the
principles of Rastafari
• Must have a high tolerance and flexibility when working with
the various members of the Rastafari family.
HMPPS OR T 17 GP : Chaplain v 12.0
• Must have a general understanding of all the Rastafarian
Mansions/Houses.
• Good knowledge of the RasTeferi way of life (Livity)
• Good knowledge of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile
Selassie 1st and Ethiopian/African culture
• Good listening and communicating skills
• Must have the endorsement of the HMPPS Rastafari Faith
and Belief Adviser
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)
Or
Ordained Deacon, Religious Brother/Sister/Lay Person
• Be an ordained Permanent Deacon, a Religious Brother or
Sister or a suitably qualified lay person of 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
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
• formal endorsement from the HMPPS Roman Catholic Faith
and Belief Adviser confirming eligibility and suitability
Sikh:
• Must be a Baptised Sikh (i.e. has completed Amrit Initiation)
• Show practical demonstration of reading, reciting and
translating Sikh scriptures. Desirably the candidate should
hold a Degree/Diploma in Sikh theology.
• Must have demonstrable knowledge of Sikh Religion, its
history and commitment to adhere to the Sikh Code of
Conduct (“Rehat Maryada- Akal Takht Sahib")
• Must be proficient in Punjabi
• Formal endorsement from the HMPPS Sikh Faith and Belief
Adviser confirming eligibility and suitability
Spiritualist:
• Must have passed the required prison chaplain training as
set by the Spiritualists’ National Union (which is the
governing body for Spiritualism)
HMPPS OR T 17 GP : Chaplain v 12.0
• Must be approved/endorsed by the SNU’s Ministers
Administration Committee
Zoroastrian
• Must be a Zoroastrian initiated into the faith by a Zoroastrian
Mobed
• Must hold a degree / diploma in Zoroastrian Studies or show
practical demonstration of reading, reciting and translating
Zoroastrian scriptures
• Must have demonstrable knowledge of Zoroastrian history,
heritage and culture and able to speak Parsi Guajarati
or/and Persian
• Formal endorsement from the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of
Europe (Evidence required before appointment)
Hours of Work
37 hour working week.
and Allowances
Unsocial Hours Working will be confirmed by the Recruiting
Manager and only paid where applicable:
Unsocial Hours Working.
This role requires working regular unsocial hours and a payment
at the current approved organisation rate will be made 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.
Behaviours
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Working Together
Strengths
It is advised strengths are chosen locally, recommended 4-8.
Essential
Chaplains are required to meet the faith/belief eligibility
Experience
requirements for their faith/belief community as outlined within the
Group Profile.
All Faith/Beliefs
An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence
through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales)
Welsh.
Technical
N.B. These are the technical requirements for the group profile,
Requirements
please check the individual job description relating to this group
profile for any job specific requirements and add if required.
Must complete specific training to hold the qualifications required
for area of specialism outlined in the faith/belief eligibility
requirements (listed within the Group Profile).
Ability
HMPPS OR T 17 GP : Chaplain v 12.0
Success Profile
Strengths
It is advised
Behaviours
strengths are chosen
Ability
Experience
Technical
locally,
recommended 4-8.
Communicating and Influencing
Must complete specific training
Chaplains are required to meet
to hold the qualifications
the Faith/Belief Eligibility
required for area of specialism
Requirements for their chosen
outlined in the Faith/Belief
faith/belief as outlined in the
Eligibility Requirements (listed
Group Profile.
in the Group Profile)
Managing a Quality Service
All Faith/Beliefs- An ability to
fulfil all spoken aspects of the
role with confidence through the
medium of English or (where
specified in Wales) Welsh
Making Effective Decisions
Leadership
Working Together
HMPPS OR T 17 GP : Chaplain v 12.0