Spiritual Wellbeing Practitioner

Job Summary

At NHFT we hold the view that spiritual care begins with encouraging human contact in compassionate relationships. This entails creating safe and secure spaces for people to talk about the things that matter most to them, to explore what gives their lives meaning and purpose in life. The service is highly regarded and its development with diverse and culturally aware practitioners continues to be a priority for the organisation.

Our Spiritual Wellbeing Practitioners/Chaplains work in partnership with multidisciplinary healthcare colleagues to care for the spiritual and religious needs of patients, carers and staff across the Trust. The role covers the Cynthia Spencer Hospice and Cransley Hospice and requires a visible and supportive presence, working proactively to provide a listening ear for patients, carers and staff.

We operate a model of chaplaincy where our practitioners work inclusively to journey alongside people of all faith communities, belief systems and none. Sensitivity to a range of presenting needs and being person‑centred is key. This role therefore requires passion and enthusiasm for working in this way.

• Continually update knowledge of culture, diversity, spiritual and religious care, current policy, and research evidence relevant to spiritual care services.
• Use this to promote and develop safe, effective, and inclusive practice with multidisciplinary colleagues to support people of all backgrounds.
• Provide spiritual wellbeing training and education to staff.
• Actively participate in Trust‑level groups, meetings and forums, as well as wider spiritual wellbeing activities.
• Hold and lead communal spaces with appropriate role authority in situations requiring people to come together for connection, recognition and action (e.g. memorial services and incident planning for unexpected events).
• Work alongside the Service Manager and Volunteer Manager to select, train and supervise Spiritual Wellbeing volunteers and Honorary Chaplains.
• Maintain and develop external connections with a range of faith leaders and community support groups to better support the needs of culturally diverse patients, service users, carers and staff.
• Engage in regular reflective practice and supervision to support personal wellbeing and inform professional practice.
• Occasional outdoor work.

• Calm, caring and compassionate disposition.
• Commitment to compassionate, non‑judgemental and non‑discriminatory practice that is inclusive and accessible to all.
• Educated to degree level, or equivalent learning experience, in an area relevant to pastoral, spiritual and religious care and healthcare chaplaincy.
• Recognised or accredited, and in current good standing with faith or belief community.
• Significant knowledge and experience of providing pastoral and spiritual care in a healthcare setting, including end‑of‑life palliative spiritual care provision.
• In‑depth knowledge of own faith or belief group teaching, tradition and practices, alongside a working knowledge of other faith and belief systems, with an ability to apply this in a secular multi‑cultural, multi‑faith and belief context.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to connect with individuals in a variety of complex spiritual care encounters, including empathetic conversations during traumatic events and handling difficult questions and strong emotions without collusion.
• Excellent reflective practice skills, ability to reflect theologically and/or existentially.
• Active listening skills and ability to respond to others' spiritual needs without proselytising personal faith or belief.

• Values collaborative working with peers and colleagues across the organisation.
• Ability to work in a flexible way and respond to change.
• Registered as a Chaplain with UKBHC or the Network for Pastoral, Spiritual and Religious Care in Health.
• Further studies relating to chaplaincy (PG Cert in healthcare chaplaincy / pastoral, spiritual or religious care, clinical supervision, mentoring, or spiritual direction).
• Experience in creating and delivering teaching and training programmes; experience of managing volunteers.
• Exper…