Free Churches Chaplain (Ordained or Lay) - Part Time at HMP Bullingdon

Overview

This role is located at HM Prison Bullingdon in Bicester (OX25 1PZ) and involves providing faith-based and pastoral care within a multi-faith chaplaincy team. Candidates may be ordained ministers or laypersons accredited by a Free Church denomination. The position operates under Band 5 and contributes to delivering pastoral support, faith activities, and community engagement focused on prisoners and staff.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and spiritual support based on personal faith tradition, including advising prisoners, staff, and families, liaising with Faith and Belief Advisers.
• Organise and lead worship, meditation, prayer, and faith meetings, ensuring chaplaincy accessibility.
• Coordinate and deliver religious programmes, collaborate with chaplains, volunteers, and external groups on worship facility maintenance.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of local chaplaincy policies and procedures.
• Offer pastoral care addressing individual needs and assist in crisis resolution and mentorship following incidents.
• Support volunteer chaplains and promote the Official Prison Visitor scheme within the prison.
• Coordinate awareness of significant faith/belief events and manage distribution of relevant materials.
• Participate in staff and volunteer faith awareness training and represent the chaplaincy team in meetings as needed.
• Support the Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) process and participate actively in related boards.
• Engage with local faith communities to support prisoner resettlement and contribute towards community initiatives including Probation Approved Premises.

Candidate Profile and Eligibility

Applicants must meet the Free Church eligibility criteria, being accredited ministers or lay practitioners accountable to an eligible Free Church denomination recognized by the Free Churches Group or listed as an Additional Denomination under HMPPS guidance. Ordained chaplains must have completed appropriate professional formation. All chaplains require a formal theology or religious studies qualification, typically at UK university undergraduate diploma level, and engage in ongoing continuing professional development.

Hours and Conditions

This is a part-time role with hours to be confirmed. The role is non-operational and does not involve line management. It requires commitment to personal spiritual development and acceptance that duties may evolve.

Behaviours and Assessment

• Effective communication and influencing skills
• Delivering high-quality services
• Sound decision making
• Leadership and collaboration
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team

Additional Information

• Successful candidates must pass criminal record and baseline security checks.
• Salary is £37,417 annually, with an employer pension contribution of £10,839.
• Benefits include annual leave, public holidays, season ticket loans, flexible working, inclusive culture, and learning development opportunities.
• Applicants must be UK nationals, Irish nationals, or nationals of Commonwealth countries with indefinite leave to remain.
• Artificial intelligence tools may assist application preparation but content must be accurate, original, and truthful to personal experience.