Job summary
The Wellbeing Team supports the delivery of quality, holistic and personalised care for patients, carers and relatives including children & young people supported by the Dougie Mac, across the Inpatient Unit Services and Community. It consists of Living Well (including group support), SPARCS (Spiritual, Pastoral & Religious Care Service), Therapies, Counselling and Bereavement Support. This post requires the holder to work closely with the Emotional & Spiritual Support Team, the wider Wellbeing and clinical teams and external agencies to provide support to hospice service users and those important to them, with a wide range of life limiting conditions. The SPARCS Lead coordinates the work of the service across the Hospice, in both in-patient services and community settings. The SPARCS team is responsible for leading the delivery of a comprehensive spiritual, religious and pastoral care service for hospice service users and those important to them. The SPARCS Lead provides advice and information in the areas of spiritual, religious & pastoral care as required. The SPARCS Lead establishes and maintains links with Faith & Belief representatives e.g. Faith Leaders/Representatives, Humanists etc. The service maintains an up-to-date list of people who may be contacted for advice and assistance when appropriate. The role includes working within our hospice and community, requiring excellent communication skills, emotional resilience, and s strong commitment to best practice.
Main duties of the job
As our SPARCS Lead, you will play a central role in ensuring patients and families receive inclusive, person centred spiritual, pastoral and religious care, whatever their beliefs, traditions or worldviews. Your responsibilities will include: Leading and coordinating the SPARCS service, including children and young people across inpatient, outpatient, and community settings. Providing high quality, sensitive and culturally competent spiritual and pastoral support to patients, families and carers. Supervising, mentoring and developing the SPARCS team and volunteers. Working collaboratively with the wellbeing services teams and clinical teams as part of a holistic, multidisciplinary approach. Ensuring compliance with national standards and best practice in spiritual care within hospice and palliative settings. Developing and delivering training for staff and volunteers on spiritual assessment, compassionate conversations and culturally responsive care. Contributing to service evaluation, audits, and ongoing development to ensure continuous improvement.
About us
Dougie Mac provides compassionate care and support for adults, young adults, and children with life-limiting conditions across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. As a values-driven organisation, we strive to deliver high-quality, person-led, and inclusive care across our inpatient, community, and supportive care services. Following our merger with Approach Dementia Support and expansion into children and young adult services, Dougie Mac now supports more people than ever before across all age groups and diagnoses. Our team is made up of dedicated, skilled professionals who are committed to delivering responsive and meaningful care in line with our hospice values. We offer a collaborative working environment with access to professional development, reflective practice, and staff wellbeing support. Dougie Mac is proud to be a financially independent local charity, offering a competitive salary and benefits package including generous annual leave, contributory pension scheme, funded study opportunities, hospice-paid healthcare cash plan, and free on-site parking.
Details
Date posted
18 February 2026
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£38,000 to £42,000 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
DMH1175453
Job locations
Douglas Macmillan Hospice
Barlaston Road
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST3 3NZ
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main duties & responsibilities: 1.Working collaboratively with the wider clinical Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) in the provision of specialist palliative and end of life care needs for hospice service users and those important to them. 2.Promote and deliver service user chosen interventions which contribute to and improve wellbeing. 3.Use initiative and creativity to provide person-centered holistic care. 4.Be responsible for oversight of the Spiritual Space, its maintenance and use, as a place of quiet, reflection or rest - available for all regardless of faith or belief identification. 5.Be aware of the national regulations and guidance relating to spiritual, pastoral and religious care for palliative care providers and lead the hospice in compliance with current good practice as far as possible within the resources available. 6.Line manages the SPARCS (Community) Practitioner. 7.Contribute to the development and implementation of effective mechanisms for communicating information concerning patient care including the completion of accurate and comprehensive records. 8.Ensure effective communication with outside agencies and work positively with colleagues to maintain effective relationships. 9.Contribute towards storing, ordering, and managing stock. 10.Assist in the planning and implementing of group work with service users. 11.Maintain sensitivity to the emotional needs of patients and those important to them, carers and health care professionals. 12.Organise and/or lead occasional ceremonies (e.g. Funeral, Weddings etc.) for patients on request, wherever appropriate informing the relevant faith leaders/representative. 13.Organise and/or deliver ritual care as requested by service user, informing the relevant faith leader/representative where appropriate. 14.Organise occasional special/seasonal ceremonies to celebrate the life and work of the Hospice. 15.Work with the Fundraising in organising and participating in the annual Light up a Life ceremony. 16.Lead in organising comprehensive spiritual care assessments to provide service users the opportunity to express whats important to them, inform the holistic aspect of the hospice care and improve quality of interventions. 17.Lead in the delivery of Out of Hours cover; ensuring that the In-patient services are aware of the process for assessing need, and how to contact appropriate support. 18.To recognise and manage the potentially distressing effects of working with terminal illness, maintaining personal resilience while accessing the support, guidance, and resources available through the hospice. Development and Learning: 19.Lead the development of the SPARCS provision to reflect the communities we serve. 20.Organise meetings for the SPARCS Steering Group, a multi-disciplinary group which steers and directs the development and delivery of SPARCS pan hospice. 21.Keep abreast of relevant national developments and guidance within SPARC, palliative and cancer care and to understand the implications of these for practice. 22.Lead SPARCS education, development and support for the wider hospice team in partnership with L&D. 23.Provide, where requested, external speaking or lecturing engagements. 24.Provide mentorship or learning opportunities to medical and faith-based students, where appropriate. 25.To provide/receive regular supervision to support CPD of self and others. 26.The SPARCS Lead and other members of the team may undertake/participate in funded research projects in accordance with the Hospices research policies and procedures.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main duties & responsibilities: 1.Working collaboratively with the wider clinical Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) in the provision of specialist palliative and end of life care needs for hospice service users and those important to them. 2.Promote and deliver service user chosen interventions which contribute to and improve wellbeing. 3.Use initiative and creativity to provide person-centered holistic care. 4.Be responsible for oversight of the Spiritual Space, its maintenance and use, as a place of quiet, reflection or rest - available for all regardless of faith or belief identification. 5.Be aware of the national regulations and guidance relating to spiritual, pastoral and religious care for palliative care providers and lead the hospice in compliance with current good practice as far as possible within the resources available. 6.Line manages the SPARCS (Community) Practitioner. 7.Contribute to the development and implementation of effective mechanisms for communicating information concerning patient care including the completion of accurate and comprehensive records. 8.Ensure effective communication with outside agencies and work positively with colleagues to maintain effective relationships. 9.Contribute towards storing, ordering, and managing stock. 10.Assist in the planning and implementing of group work with service users. 11.Maintain sensitivity to the emotional needs of patients and those important to them, carers and health care professionals. 12.Organise and/or lead occasional ceremonies (e.g. Funeral, Weddings etc.) for patients on request, wherever appropriate informing the relevant faith leaders/representative. 13.Organise and/or deliver ritual care as requested by service user, informing the relevant faith leader/representative where appropriate. 14.Organise occasional special/seasonal ceremonies to celebrate the life and work of the Hospice. 15.Work with the Fundraising in organising and participating in the annual Light up a Life ceremony. 16.Lead in organising comprehensive spiritual care assessments to provide service users the opportunity to express whats important to them, inform the holistic aspect of the hospice care and improve quality of interventions. 17.Lead in the delivery of Out of Hours cover; ensuring that the In-patient services are aware of the process for assessing need, and how to contact appropriate support. 18.To recognise and manage the potentially distressing effects of working with terminal illness, maintaining personal resilience while accessing the support, guidance, and resources available through the hospice. Development and Learning: 19.Lead the development of the SPARCS provision to reflect the communities we serve. 20.Organise meetings for the SPARCS Steering Group, a multi-disciplinary group which steers and directs the development and delivery of SPARCS pan hospice. 21.Keep abreast of relevant national developments and guidance within SPARC, palliative and cancer care and to understand the implications of these for practice. 22.Lead SPARCS education, development and support for the wider hospice team in partnership with L&D. 23.Provide, where requested, external speaking or lecturing engagements. 24.Provide mentorship or learning opportunities to medical and faith-based students, where appropriate. 25.To provide/receive regular supervision to support CPD of self and others. 26.The SPARCS Lead and other members of the team may undertake/participate in funded research projects in accordance with the Hospices research policies and procedures.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Accredited training in spiritual, pastoral or religious care.
* If a member of a faith or belief group/organisation (Faith comprises religious or spiritual organisations; Belief comprises non-religious/spiritual organisations, e.g.: Humanism) then applicant must be authorised, endorsed or licenced as being of good standing within that body. (See Endorsement process of NHS Network for Pastoral, Spiritual and Religious Care in Health).
* Counselling or communication skills training.
* Ability to travel independently throughout the locality with access to suitable vehicle for business purposes.
Desirable
* To be registered/accredited to a recognised UK national Chaplaincy organisation which provides standards and guidance for Chaplains/Spiritual Care givers or be prepared to work to the competencies and professional standards of such an organisation.
Experience
Essential
* Providing spiritual, pastoral or religious care in a healthcare setting/context.
* Supporting people through the use of pastorally sensitive individual or corporate acts/ceremonies and memorial events.
* Commitment to the development and practice of spiritual, pastoral and religious care within a hospice or palliative setting.
* Working with loss, dying, death and bereavement.
* Collaborative working across faiths and beliefs systems.
* Working collaboratively across a range of multi-professional disciplines.
Desirable
* Experience working with volunteers.
* Experience of delivering group sessions.
Additional Criteria
Essential
* Understanding of current issues in palliative and end of life care.
* Knowledge of and commitment to working within the Five Principles of Chaplaincy.
* Knowledge of Relevant NICE guidelines, NHS Chaplaincy Guidelines.
* Ability to support people in distress, embodying compassion, integrity and empathy.
* Organisational skills and the ability to manage complex caseload efficiently and effectively.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* IT skills including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
* Compassionate and respectful approach.
* Able to communicate clearly and sensitively, adapting to the audience.
* Use own Initiative.
* Ability to prioritise tasks, appropriately delegate and manage time effectively.
* To be able to meet the requirements of the post.
* Flexible working to meet shift requirements.
* Present a professional appearance appropriate to the role.
Desirable
* Experience using formal assessments.
* Experience in future/advanced care planning.
* Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary within a healthcare setting.
* Actively seeks opportunities for personal and professional development.
* Ability to work independently as well as part of a team; listening and challenging each other. Understanding that we are at our best as individuals whilst working as a team.
* The ability to exercise initiative for service improvement.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Accredited training in spiritual, pastoral or religious care.
* If a member of a faith or belief group/organisation (Faith comprises religious or spiritual organisations; Belief comprises non-religious/spiritual organisations, e.g.: Humanism) then applicant must be authorised, endorsed or licenced as being of good standing within that body. (See Endorsement process of NHS Network for Pastoral, Spiritual and Religious Care in Health).
* Counselling or communication skills training.
* Ability to travel independently throughout the locality with access to suitable vehicle for business purposes.
Desirable
* To be registered/accredited to a recognised UK national Chaplaincy organisation which provides standards and guidance for Chaplains/Spiritual Care givers or be prepared to work to the competencies and professional standards of such an organisation.
Experience
Essential
* Providing spiritual, pastoral or religious care in a healthcare setting/context.
* Supporting people through the use of pastorally sensitive individual or corporate acts/ceremonies and memorial events.
* Commitment to the development and practice of spiritual, pastoral and religious care within a hospice or palliative setting.
* Working with loss, dying, death and bereavement.
* Collaborative working across faiths and beliefs systems.
* Working collaboratively across a range of multi-professional disciplines.
Desirable
* Experience working with volunteers.
* Experience of delivering group sessions.
Additional Criteria
Essential
* Understanding of current issues in palliative and end of life care.
* Knowledge of and commitment to working within the Five Principles of Chaplaincy.
* Knowledge of Relevant NICE guidelines, NHS Chaplaincy Guidelines.
* Ability to support people in distress, embodying compassion, integrity and empathy.
* Organisational skills and the ability to manage complex caseload efficiently and effectively.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* IT skills including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
* Compassionate and respectful approach.
* Able to communicate clearly and sensitively, adapting to the audience.
* Use own Initiative.
* Ability to prioritise tasks, appropriately delegate and manage time effectively.
* To be able to meet the requirements of the post.
* Flexible working to meet shift requirements.
* Present a professional appearance appropriate to the role.
Desirable
* Experience using formal assessments.
* Experience in future/advanced care planning.
* Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary within a healthcare setting.
* Actively seeks opportunities for personal and professional development.
* Ability to work independently as well as part of a team; listening and challenging each other. Understanding that we are at our best as individuals whilst working as a team.
* The ability to exercise initiative for service improvement.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
Douglas Macmillan Hospice
Address
Douglas Macmillan Hospice
Barlaston Road
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST3 3NZ
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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Employer details
Employer name
Douglas Macmillan Hospice
Address
Douglas Macmillan Hospice
Barlaston Road
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST3 3NZ
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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