Lead Chaplain

Lead Chaplain

North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (WHH)

The closing date is 24 June 2026

The Lead Chaplain is responsible for the provision and further development of the Chaplaincy Service within Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals, and for the religious, spiritual and pastoral care of all patients, visitors, staff, volunteers and students in the Trust Hospitals. The role includes managing chaplaincy staff and volunteers, developing policies and service standards, supporting staff wellbeing, advising on matters relating to faith and spirituality, and ensuring the service contributes effectively to patient experience, end of life care, bereavement support, and organisational wellbeing.

• Lead the Trust's Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Service, providing strategic, professional, and operational leadership to ensure delivery of high‑quality pastoral, spiritual, and religious care for patients, families, carers, and staff.
• Oversee a responsive multi‑faith service, working closely with clinical teams and community faith leaders to support people of all faiths and beliefs, including those with no faith.
• Provide expert support in complex and sensitive situations, including serious illness, trauma, sudden death, and major incidents.
• Develop policies and service standards, advise on matters relating to faith, belief, spirituality, and culturally sensitive care, and contribute effectively to patient experience and organisational wellbeing.
• Support staff wellbeing and lead the Chaplaincy Team, including conducting annual appraisals and monthly 1:1’s, and managing volunteers.

Full Job Description Attached.

• To have served an extensive period in ministry providing pastoral care.
• Substantial experience in Healthcare Chaplaincy.
• Leadership experience.
• Experience of collaborative working in a multi‑faith/belief setting.

• Experience of working with those who are bereaved.

• Priest/minister of a church in membership of Churches Together in England and eligible for authorisation by the appropriate church authority.
• Accreditation/licensing with authority to practice as a Christian leader/representative and/or pastoral worker.

• Post‑graduate diploma/degree in Health‑Care Chaplaincy.
• Counselling qualification.
• Eligible to be registered for UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy.

• Understanding of ethical issues in health care.
• Knowledge and understanding of other faith traditions.
• Knowledge of equality and diversity issues.
• A working knowledge of Chaplaincy standards.
• Ability to write and deliver training.
• Excellent pastoral and communication skills.
• Demonstrate a deep spirituality and ability to relate personal beliefs to pastoral situations.
• Good organisational skills and ability to manage own workload.
• Able to set priorities, make decisions, solve problems effectively and delegate tasks appropriately.
• Demonstrate the ability to lead the Chaplaincy Team, conduct annual appraisals and monthly 1:1's.
• The ability to recognise and pursue own training needs.
• Ability to facilitate opportunities for prayer, reflection and worship in a wide variety of settings.
• The ability to develop rapport with people from all walks of life, meet them at their point of need and respond in meaningful and appropriate ways.
• Able to express oneself clearly both verbally and in writing and communicate thoughts and ideas easily.
• The ability to listen to and interpret complex needs, working in highly stressful and emotive situations.
• The ability to cope with the suffering of others and to recognise the personal need for support.
• Be an encourager, enabler and team builder and have the ability to facilitate others.
• Awareness and respect for colleagues, patients and relatives cultural, religious and emotional needs and beliefs.
• Willing to work with all religions and beliefs with both staff and volunteers including offering spiritual care beyond own religious boundaries with commitment to inclusive approach to chaplaincy.
• Willing to liaise with other agencies and network within the local communities.
• A willingness…