Generic Chaplain

We are looking for an enthusiastic and friendly Chaplain to join our Chaplaincy Team at Sheffield Children’s NHSFT. Sheffield Children’s is an extraordinary place; it is one of three stand-alone specialist Children’s Hospitals in the UK, providing world class care for children on its doorstep and from all over the country.

You will join a multi-faith and belief team (currently comprising 3 paid staff) that provides pastoral, spiritual and religious care to patients, visitors and staff. We are looking someone deeply rooted in their religious or non-religious belief, but able to also work generically. You will be eager to work in a multi-faith and belief context with a genuine passion for serving people and making a transformative difference in the lives of patients, staff and relatives.

You will have accreditation/licensing with authority to practice from your faith or belief community. Please be advised that if you are shortlisted we will check your status with your accrediting/licensing body prior to interview.

You will have substantial pastoral experience. Previous experience of working in Healthcare Chaplaincy is essential and Mental Healthcare experience is advantageous.

26.25 hours per week.
- To work co-operatively with chaplaincy team staff members, locum chaplains, chaplaincy volunteers and students. To assist the Chaplaincy Department to deliver a chaplaincy service which provides for the pastoral, spiritual, ethical and religious needs of patients, families, staff and students of all faith/ belief and none.
- To work co-operatively with chaplaincy team staff members, locum chaplains, chaplaincy volunteers and students
- To communicate with the local faith communities as required.

Sheffield Children’s is one of three independent, specialist paediatric hospitals in the country, providing dedicated healthcare for children and young people across community, mental health and acute specialist settings.

We have three overarching aims that set the direction for the Trust in our vision “to create a healthier future for children and young people.”
- Outstanding patient care
- Brilliant place to work
- Leader in children’s health

Our commitment to rewarding colleagues is demonstrated through our brilliant reward and benefits offer including; generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme and access to salary sacrifice schemes such as cycle to work and lease cars.

We are committed to supporting colleagues from different heritages and lifestyles while at work. This is supported through the offer we have in place for flexible working and the three equality network groups we have in place. Colleagues are encouraged to join these groups and request flexible working.
- To take a lead and assist in the provision of pastoral, spiritual, ethical and religious needs of patients, families, staff and students.
- Taking a lead on own faith/ belief tradition and supporting the team generically visiting service users and supporting staff who differ from one’s own faith/ belief tradition.
- To practice as autonomous chaplain by responding to referrals coming to chaplaincy and respond to these by providing ‘open/ generic chaplaincy’ support.
- To contribute to the pastoral, spiritual, ethical and religious needs of patients, families, staff and students, contacting local faith community leaders as appropriate.
- Provide support, mentoring and shadowing sessions to volunteers and/or placements students/trainees
- To help ensure the provision of Christian sacraments to patients, families and staff, whilst respecting denominational traditions and practise
- To provide special ministries and rites for patients e.g., Anointing or Naming Services] who are seriously ill or dying, whilst respecting denominational traditions and practises, creating an appropriate atmosphere for the rite to be conducted
- To contribute to the provision of particular pastoral, spiritual, ethical and religious support for families and carers in bereavement situations contacting local faith community leaders as appropriate.
- To contribute in chaplaincy team planning and leading of funeral services, communicating with bereaved families, undertakers, and church and hospital authorities as required.
- To assist and take a lead in chaplaincy team planning and leading of annual commemorative services
- To assist and take a lead in the planning and leading of regular festival services to mark key events in the Christian calendar for patients, families, staff and students.
- To provide facilities for visiting faith community leaders as required
- To assist and take a lead in the provision of pastoral and spiritual care for people from the divergent faith/ belief communities represented in the patient population
- To assist and take a lead in the ongoing pastoral, spiritual, ethical and religious support to all hospital staff as required, within the boundaries of confidentiality, privacy and safety. Offering staff support in a