Roman Catholic Chaplain Priest

The Prison Chaplain (Roman Catholic Priest) carries out their duties in co-operation with members of an ecumenical and inter-faith chaplaincy team. Together they are responsible for the provision of chaplaincy services to all persons in custody at HM Prison Dumfries.

There are three important areas of work, these are:

- ** Religious Care** is offered to all those wishing to practice their faith and includes leading regular services of prayers, Mass, worship, celebration of the sacraments, studies of religious texts, and faith-based groups.
- ** Pastoral Care** is provided, usually individually, to everyone and particularly those in most need - the bereaved and the distressed, those who are at risk of harm to self, and those most vulnerable including new admissions.
- ** Spiritual Care** accompanies and supports people of all faiths and none on their journey to discover purpose and meaning in life and to develop the resources to live a fulfilled life.

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) Strategy Framework on Spiritual and Pastoral Care, Religion and Belief, is the foundational document for the delivery of chaplaincy across the SPS and the practice of prison chaplains should reflect this. This may be found at:
Further reading and information on Scottish Criminal Justice System and Chaplaincy can be found here:

- Responsibilities**Provide Religious Services and Advice**

Responsible for the arrangement and leading of weekly religious services in the relevant faith-tradition, ensuring continuity of provision for weekly religious services (including with chaplains of other establishments and/or through partnership with local churches and faith groups, where possible).

Arranging access to representatives of other faith and belief traditions when requested and in line with SPS protocols.

Arrange marriages when requested (where appropriate) and provide advice to local management and staff on religious issues.

**Provide Religious Care**

Make arrangements for religious teaching in the relevant faith-tradition. This will include individual and group discussions concerning the study of scripture and tradition, moral and ethical matters, and classes leading to religious confirmation or initiation e.g. baptism

Recruit Chaplaincy Volunteers and provide monitoring and assurance in compliance with SPS Volunteering Protocols and in liaison with other Chaplaincy Team members.

**Provide Pastoral Care**

Provide pastoral care to all as part of the Integrated Care Pathway (ICP), sharing important information with others; with a priority for the vulnerable, new admissions, those on SPS prevention of suicide strategy (Talk to Me), and in segregation units. Chaplains are also available to staff.

Chaplains are part of an interfaith and ecumenical Chaplaincy Team, and must be prepared to provide advice and support to all in SPS care, including those of other faiths, traditions and beliefs (and none).

**Provide Bereavement Care**

Provide immediate care to those who are bereaved who are residents or working in prison. This may include assisting with Funeral arrangements and leading memorial services, providing ongoing support and signposting where necessary.

Provide bereavement support for those who are experiencing unresolved grief due to a loss prior to imprisonment

Support the whole prison community following a Death in Custody, ensuring all relevant Chaplaincy protocols are followed, including support and liaison with families, and engaging with the SPS Death in Prison Learning and Review process.

**Provide Spiritual Care**

Working together with SPS colleagues as part of the Integrated Care Pathway (and with external organisations where appropriate) to provide encouragement, role modelling, building self-esteem and opportunities to belong; accompanying and supporting people of all faiths and none on their journey to discover purpose and meaning in life, developing the resources to live a fulfilled life.

**Facilitate Throughcare**

Facilitate throughcare by working together with SPS colleagues as part of the Integrated Care Pathway and especially by developing contact with external faith-groups and organisations to the benefit of prisoners on release. Signposting to throughcare organisations and follow-up after release.

**Person Specification**
- Qualifications Requirements**ESSENTIAL** - Ordained Roman Catholic Priest and in good standing with the Roman Catholic Church.
- Experience Requirements**ESSENTIAL - Religious Practice Experience**

Experience of leading worship and religious events in a community setting.

**Application Question**:Please briefly describe your experience of leading worship and religious events in a community setting?

**ESSENTIAL - Pastoral Care Experience**

Significant experience of providing pastoral care to people from different backgrounds and in different situations.

**Application Question**:Please briefly describe your experience of providing pastoral care to a range of people?

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