Deputy Head of Pastoral Care
Closing date: 31 May 2026.
The Department of Pastoral and Spiritual Care at Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SABP) is seeking an experienced compassionate leader to join us at Deputy Head. This is an exciting opportunity to help deliver inclusive, high-quality pastoral and spiritual care across our mental health, learning disability, neurodevelopmental, and drug and alcohol services.
We are looking for a skilled spiritual care practitioner with substantial experience supporting people living with complex needs. You will demonstrate strong leadership and communication skills, alongside a clear commitment to equality, inclusion and compassionate, person-centred care. You will work closely with the Head of pastoral and Spiritual care and support both the strategic direction and operational delivery of the service. In addition to providing expert pastoral, spiritual, and religious care to people who use our services, their families and carers, and Trust staff, you will play a key leadership role in service development, education and training, supervision, and partnership working with diverse faith and belief communities.
The role also includes contributing to governance and quality improvement initiatives. This position offers an excellent opportunity in delivering the strategic, visions and values of our Trust.
Main duties of the job
The Deputy Head of Pastoral Care will work alongside the Head of Pastoral Care to shape the strategic direction of the department and ensure the delivery of a high-quality pastoral, spiritual, religious, and cultural care service. The post holder will act as both a senior practitioner and deputy manager, supporting people who use our services, their carers, and Trust staff across a diverse mental health and learning disability setting.
* Provide specialist pastoral, spiritual, and religious care across mental health wards, community mental health teams, and learning disability services.
* Respond to urgent and routine referrals across the Trust.
* Work autonomously and collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary, multi-faith team.
* Contribute to service development, quality improvement, and strategic planning.
* Support, supervise, and develop volunteers and junior staff.
* Deliver training and education on pastoral and spiritual care.
* Ensure the service is accessible, safe, culturally competent, and responsive to the needs of people with mental health conditions and learning disabilities.
About us
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of mental health, learning disability, neurodevelopmental and drug and alcohol services in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We support people of all ages and are passionate about providing high quality care that is delivered at the right time as close to home as possible to help people recover and stay well.
We are one of the top 10 mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Trusts to work for nationwide. Our Trust is an inclusive and supportive employer that offers a wide range of staff networks, flexible working, excellent health and wellbeing support. We also provide a wide range of opportunities to help staff develop and progress.
Qualifications
* Degree in Theology/Religious Studies or Level 6 or above or equivalent.
* Substantial experience in mental healthcare spiritual care practice.
* Strong leadership, communication and supervision skills.
* Commitment to equality, inclusion and people‑centred care.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check to confirm no previous criminal convictions.
Employer name
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
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