Roman Catholic Chaplain - HMP Thameside

  • Job Reference: 298178
  • Date Posted: 2 January 2025
  • Employer: Serco Limited
  • Website: https://www.serco.com/careers
  • Location: Greater London (SE28 0FJ), United Kingdom
  • Salary: £27,642.40
  • Sector: Government & Defence
  • Job Type: Full Time
  • Duration: Permanent
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Job Description

Roman Catholic Chaplain

HMP Thameside

London, SE28 0FJ

32 hours (4 days per week)

Wednesday - Saturday (08:30 - 17:00)

£27,642.40 per annum (plus £6,200 London weighting allowance)

 

Are you driven by a calling to make a difference? Join us at HMP Thameside and take on a role that is as fulfilling as it is impactful. As a Roman Catholic Chaplain, you'll provide vital spiritual and pastoral support to prisoners, staff, and their families, helping to foster hope and renewal within a unique and meaningful setting.

 

HMP Thameside is a dynamic, privately managed remand prison located in Southeast London, operated by Serco. Our mission is to ensure that all individuals within our care have access to compassionate, high-quality pastoral services that support their personal and social needs. Working in the prison sector offers unique challenges, rewards, and opportunities to make a lasting impact. At Serco, we provide the support, resources, and opportunities for growth to help you succeed.

 

Main responsibilities of the role include:

  • Lead worship and deliver spiritual guidance to support those in our care.
  • Provide one-on-one pastoral care, offering support and bring resolution to crisis situations.
  • Collaborate in a multi-faith chaplaincy team to deliver inclusive services.
  • Organise religious education, study groups, and faith-based initiatives.
  • Acquire and distribute appropriate religious literature, supplies, and materials.
  • Mentor and guide volunteers and fellow chaplains.
  • Actively contribute to staff training and faith awareness programs.
  • Contribute towards the development of local policy, procedures, and policies.
  • Take responsibility for your own spiritual health and development, allowing time for private prayer, study, and retreat.
  • Attend relevant boards/meetings and actively contribute either as chair or team member.
  • Participate in developing ways for improving and achieving targets as required, undertake, and ensure that all relevant administration, data collection and analysis including relevant targets are collated.

 

What you'll need to do the role:

  • Have at least three years' experience in Catholic ministry, preferably within a custodial or community setting.
  • Be an ordained Priest, in the Roman Catholic Church, or an Ordained Deacon, Religious Brother/Sister, or a suitably qualified layperson of the Roman Catholic Church.
  • Comfortable and conversant to work collaboratively in a multi-faith chaplaincy.
  • Flexible and adaptable in approach.

 

Additionally, you must have:

  • Formal endorsement in the form of recognition from the appropriate Diocesan Bishop or Religious Superior and formal agreement to work in a specific diocese by the local Diocesan Bishop (Evidence required before appointment).
  • Completed formally recognised theological formation; for a Priest or Deacon in a major seminary or equivalent as prescribed by The Code of Canon Law and for a religious or lay person a theological qualification that, as the minimum, equates to the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies (CCRS).
  • Formal agreement from the local diocesan bishop to minister in those prisons located within his Diocese.
  • Formal endorsement from the HMPPS Roman Catholic Faith and Belief Adviser confirming eligibility and suitability.

 

Why Serco

A place you can make an impact: The nature of our business means you will do interesting work that matters - delivering essential services that touch people's lives.

 

A place you can count on: Our diverse UK-wide operations offer unrivalled opportunities to learn and develop. You'll be able to broaden your experience and apply your skills in new ways.

 

A place for you: We are a motivated team who will encourage you and help you to succeed. You'll have the resources you need to do your job in a diverse and supportive environment. 

 

What we offer

  • Up to 6% contributory pension scheme.
  • Working in a tight knit, friendly team environment.
  • 25 days holiday plus, 8 bank holidays.
  • A Serco benefits portal offering a wide range of discounts for major high street brands in Retail, Leisure & Hospitality.
  • A range of benefits to support the health and wellbeing of you and your family such as Employee Assistance Programme, Health Cash Plans, free flu jabs and more.
  • A wealth of career development training to suit your future aspirations. These range from role specific training, leadership coaching, formal study and much more to support you to build your career with Serco.
  • You will be employed by a company that is passionate about diversity and inclusion and provides safe and supportive culture.


Apply
Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. 


At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.  For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000.
 

At Serco we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the Ban the Box' pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our recruitment team directly on 0345 010 4000 to discuss.