Job overview
The Lead Chaplain is a senior management role which will ensure that the spiritual and faith needs of staff and patients are met.
Spiritual Care at Pennine Care Foundation Trust exists to meet service users spiritual care needs and enhance recovery from mental ill health as part of a holistic and person-centred approach and in compliance with the protected characteristics of religion and belief (Equality Act2010).
They will lead an all inclusive service for patients and staff for all faiths and no faiths, and play a lead role in patient safety. The post holder will play a key role in leading and supporting the chaplaincy team. They will act as a liaison between other chaplains and faith leaders, either employed through Bank, Agency or working independently of the Trust, or working in their own faith communities.
The post holder will ensure the Trust meets the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy standards, develop a workplan plan, deliver and maintain a comprehensive chaplaincy service which provides for the religious, spiritual, and pastoral needs of service users, carers, and staff throughout Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
Main duties of the job
• The postholder will be responsible for the leadership of Chaplaincy and Spiritual care across the trust footprint Including the direct line management of the Trust’s chaplaincy team.
• Responsible for leading the organisation, development, implementation and evaluation of the Trust’s Spiritual Care Strategy, and the development of the trust Spiritual Care Hub on the HQ site.
• To make provision as appropriate for prayer and worship on Trust premises, with due authorisation from the chaplain’s own community of faith or belief.
• To respond to referrals from clinical services and to devise and deliver specialist programmes of spiritual care to service users
• To work with the suicide prevention lead to develop an offer to staff who have been affected by traumatic incidents, such as suicide of a patient and provide spiritual support if required
• Organise, publicise and lead services of worship.
• Administer sacraments as required.
• Conduct services when appropriate in the faith calendar, and occasional services as required, e.g. memorial services
• Conduct other services as requested, both on Trust premises and elsewhere.
• Visit wards on a regular basis and be available to provide religious, spiritual and pastoral care and counselling to patients and carers and staff
Working for our organisation
We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.
Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We’re really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure we’re a great place to work.
All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.
If you come and work for us we will offer a range of benefits and opportunities, including:
* Generous annual leave entitlement for Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental staff.
* Flexible working opportunities to support your work/life balance
* Access to Continued Professional Development
* Involvement in improvement and research activities
* Health and Wellbeing activities and access to an excellent staff wellbeing service
* Access to staff discounts across retail, leisure and travel
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for a detailed description of main responsibilities.
Person specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential criteria
* Degree level ordination training, or faith community equivalent, authorisation by faith community and significant experience of working in a recognised religious ministry
* Ordained or authorised by their faith and beliefs network
* Registered as a chaplain with UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy or equivalent and able to undertake appropriate professional training including being informed of national developments within spiritual healthcare
Experience
Essential criteria
* Specialist knowledge (own tradition and other mainstream traditions) of spiritual care issues, and some knowledge of other faith communities and multi-faith working
* Demonstrable experience of working as an assistant hospital chaplain or equivalent. Proven pastoral, spiritual and religious experience in emotional and distressing situations
* Working experience of different staff/volunteer levels and willingness to co-ordinate volunteers
* Experience of counselling and/or pastoral techniques and a good understanding of spiritual direction and institutional chaplaincy issues
* Experience of working beyond the boundaries of a particular faith tradition
Desirable criteria
* Experience of NHS and/or Mental Health chaplaincy
* Experience of recruiting staff
* Broad pastoral experience
* Experience of working ecumenically
* Experience of working with other faiths
* Experience of working in a multicultural setting
Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Service development and change management
* Specialist knowledge of a range of religions, beliefs and spiritualities underpinned by theory and experience
* Developing and delivering advanced spiritual care training
* Understanding of the impact of spirituality/religion on mental health and vice versa, and ability to provide detailed advice on these issues to clinical services
* Knowledge of current national and intentional spiritual care assessment tools and delivery paradigms
* Sound knowledge of NHS regulatory and governance processes including quality assurance and data protection
* Developed knowledge of service models in mental health settings
* Understanding of the role and ethos of chaplaincy in the public sector
* Knowledge and awareness of the social impact of mental health
* Initiating, fostering and leading research
* Basic computer skills for management and presentation
* Excellent knowledge of professions and disciplines
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
* Ability to provide and receive highly confidential, sensitive, and complex information
* Ability to communicate with staff, patients and others in situations with sensitive information and/or in highly distressing circumstances
* Ability to communicate across professional disciplines and work in a multi-disciplinary setting
* Willingness to care for people irrespective of their religious belief and attitude
* Willingness to work collaboratively
* Ability to provide high quality spiritual and pastoral care and support to people experiencing intense spiritual, psychological and emotional pain as a result of ill health within a diverse range of settings, acute, secure, rehabilitation and community, with patients who may not be able to clearly articulate their needs
* Excellent listening/communication/interpersonal skills
* Understand the need for strict confidentiality
* Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems and ability to cope with behaviour which may be challenging at times.
Desirable criteria
* Bereavement skills
📝 Application support - We also offer virtual application support sessions each month, where you will learn some hints and tips to support you in completing your application form. To secure your place, and to find out more visit the on our website.
🌍 Sponsorship Information - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the
📬 After You Apply - Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive updates via email. Shortlisting is based on how well you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and invitations will be sent by email.
✅ If You're Offered the Role - If successful, the hiring manager will contact you directly with a verbal offer. They will then notify the Recruitment Team and submit the necessary paperwork. You’ll receive a formal conditional offer via email
🔍 Pre-Employment Checks - To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre-employment checks in line with. These include:
* Identity verification
* Right to work check
* Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
* Professional registration and/or qualification check
* Occupational health assessment
* Employment history and reference validation
All applicants external to Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history and references.
If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.
🚀 Once Checks Are Complete -
The Recruitment Team will coordinate with you and the hiring manager to confirm a start date. You’ll be booked onto a Trust Welcome Session and receive your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.
📣 Additional Information -
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to help us grow, innovate, and improve.
If you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.
If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us on 0161 716 3181 as early as possible so we can support you.
Please note:
* We do not accept unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Hiring managers should not be contacted directly.
* We may close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. To ensure your application is considered, please apply as soon as possible.